Every year, MODERN SALON sees you, working hard, and creating beautiful experiences for your clients amidst the joyful chaos of this season. The books are packed, clients are back-to-back, and your own holiday to-dos are calling. 

This round up is a short list of fast fixes to put into your Holiday Survival Kit: quick, practical ideas to keep you healthy, rested, and ready, from smart scar care and tidy tools to five-minute makeup, scalp resets, and sleep tips from a pro. 

Take what you need, save what you’ll use, and give yourself a little care in the busiest weeks of the year.

Sleep advice from The Sleep Doctor

Above and beyond any products, items, or makeup routines, the basics of rest, exercise, and good nutrition underpin any practical approach to staying well.  

These are expert tips from Dr. Michael J. Breus, PhD (The Sleep Doctor).Dr. Breus has the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is one of only 168 people in the world to have passed the Sleep Medical Speciality board without going to Medical School. World-renowned as The Sleep Doctor™, he is a bestselling author, media personality, keynote speaker, and brand advisor, bringing science-backed sleep expertise to the public for nearly three decades.

Step One:Make sure in the upcoming weeks you get your rest. There's nothing worse than starting the holiday season already in debt in your bank account, much less your sleep bank account. Being sleep deprived walking into the holiday season is only going to do you damage. Do yourself a favor and make sure you get seven hours of sleep every single night for ten nights before the season starts.

Step Two: Avoid things that will make your sleep much worse, but you think will give you energy. Yes I'm talking about caffeine. Remember, caffeine has a half-life of between six and eight hours, so it's not good to over-caffeinate yourself early in the morning. In order to wake from a state of unconsciousness, you need two hormones called adrenaline and cortisol. Both are far more powerful than caffeine will ever be. By having that morning caffeination instead of hydration, you run the risk of over-caffeination, getting the jitters, and suffering from the caffeine crash that will hit you within a few hours. Do yourself a favor - wait 90 minutes after you wake up before you have your first caffeinated beverage. Hydrate with 20-24 ounces first.

Step Three:Strategic napping. If you weren't able to get seven hours of sleep the night before and you're really dragging, consider using your 20-25 minute break for a quick Napa Latte. This is where you drink a 1-cup cold drip coffee (no cream, no sugar), then take a 25-minute nap. This will lower the amount of sleepiness in your body and give you that caffeine boost (you're good for four hours at least). Do not do this after 2pm or it will keep you awake. Also, you probably want to stop drinking caffeine by 3pm so that way it doesn't disrupt your sleep in the evening.

Step Four: Watch out for the snack room. All the fun holiday goodies will be lying in the snack room, which is quick energy and highly processed sugar. Remember, this decreases your ability to produce melatonin. Bring your own food and your waist will thank you.

Step Five: Remember to relax. With the holidays, it's just going to get more and more stressful. Consider breathwork to help you lower your stress and not alcohol. Reminder: alcohol is one of the worst substances for your sleep and while I know you've had a hard day, this is not the time to drink it. It's only going to destroy your deep physically restorative sleep.

Finally, your final task is to create a great sleep environment. Walk in, take a shower, eat something small, and go straight to sleep. No big meals before bed as this could disrupt your sleep through digestive processes.

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL KIT: Fast fixes for the rush

Ok, as you're rushing about and taking care of everyone else, here are some items that will help you take care of yourself...

Overnight Prep & Recovery: Nutricentials Pillow Glow Sleeping Mask and Nu Colour Lip Mask

You just learned the importance of good sleep habits and hygiene. Use those 7 (or more) hours to redefine "beauty sleep" by using products that restore hydration and softness while you sleep. 

Nutricentials Pillow Glow Sleeping Mask is a moisture-recharging gel-cream mask that delivers an intense rush of immediate and long-lasting overnight hydration. Just apply before bed to support your skin’s natural moisture barrier throughout the night and wake up to skin that is glowing, radiant, and 150% more hydrated.

Nu Colour Lip Mask is an excellent plant alternative to beeswax to help soften and condition skin. Apply generous amount to lips before bedtime and gently wipe off any excess in the morning. Can be used throughout the day as a nourishing gloss, if desired. A lush blend of Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Castor Oil babies your lips.

Scar SOS: NewGel+E you can use on the fly

Flat-iron or wand burn left a mark? Once skin heals, reach for NewGel+E Advanced Silicone Gel for Scars. It’s medical-grade silicone with Vitamin E, clinically shown to soften, flatten, and fade scars while improving texture and tone. It goes on clear, dries fast, and layers under makeup, so you can treat while you work.

Clean tools, clear mind: well-kept wipes

Keep the things you touch all day actually clean. well-kept Tech & Lens Wipes de-smudge phones, glasses, and screens to cut grime and help prevent breakouts from a dirty cell. Their new Straw & Tumbler Wipes are clutch for water bottles, coffee cups, and tumblers, so your on-the-go sips stay fresh. Chic, under-$20 packs fit in a drawer, kit, or tote.

 Tech & Lens Wipes • Straw & Tumbler Wipes 

Five-minute face: Saie’s glow-and-go edit

For mornings when you need to look alive in one pass:
• Glowy Super Gel for instant light as primer, mixer, or highlighter: 
• Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 to even tone and protect: 
• Dew Blush for a blendable flush on cheeks, lips, or lids.
• Slip Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder and The All-Over Powder Brush to lock it down fast. 

Have some tea: Kiwabi scalp reset

Between double-books and back-to-backs, take a three-minute ritual that feels like a tea break for your scalp. Kiwabi’s scalp-first formulas, powered by Japanese botanicals like yuzu and tsubaki oils plus seaweed, persimmon, and loquat, restore balance and hydration over time. Try quick Root Vanish touch-ups for seamless gray blending, or a light Root Beauté scalp massage to release tension. Warm towel, deep breaths, real tea. Small moment, big payoff.