Guest Author - Grace D. Dooley

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are the holidays celebrated during the holiday season. The holiday season brings us closer to family and friends. It reminds us of those who are no longer with us. It rings in holiday and family traditions that's been taught and passed down from generation to generation. As easy as it is to get wrapped up in the gift giving, entertaining and traveling we must not forget this journey finding our own unique beauty.

We begin our focus on ethnic hair for the holidays. Your beauty is just as important now as it is any other time of the year. One thing the holidays do though is bring out the creativity in people. Holidays, special occasions, festivities and parties are usually times when ethnic women look for something new, different. Whether it is a new hair style, cut or color. It could even be a facial or a new look in make-up. But no matter the change ethnic women want something new and fresh. They want to be noticed and want to feel good about themselves and the best way to reflect that is in appearance and the impressions made on others. So when it comes to ethnic and multi ethnic hair you want something simple yet elegant as the event or occasion may call for.

For this holiday season here are some holiday hair tips to consider when choosing a holiday hairstyle:

Tip #1. If you have a hair dresser start with them. They can fill you in on the best styles for the season and still accommodate your ability to look beautiful and be comfortable at the same time. You want something you don't have to stress over and if you do stress over it you want it to last through the event or occasion. So your hair dresser is the first and best person to have a conversation with about doable hairstyles for the holidays. Trust your hair dresser to help you make the right decisions.

Tip #2. Make sure you continue to take care of your hair with a good hair care regimen. A hair care regimen is important to keeping multi/ethnic hair healthy, strong, shiny and beautiful. So no matter the hairstyle you choose, you always want healthy hair to work with. The condition of your hair will add to the appeal of the hairstyle and make it more manageable to style. If your hair is healthy it will withstand the styling process with little damage; if well taken cared of during and after.the process.

Tip #3. If you are going to be in the kitchen cooking and preparing food for the holidays then consider wearing your hair in a way that will keep it from getting in your way. You don't want your guest finding your hair in the food that you have prepared. An easy, no fuss, no stress style is what you want. But at the same time you want your hair to be nice and attractive for the event. So be sure to plan your hair style ahead of time so you will have time to make it look nice and wearable for the entire day of the event. The hostess should always look presentable for her guest.

Tip #4. Your hair style should be able to withstand your daily routine and any travel plans you may have. If you are going to be traveling by care to an event for any length of time consider what type of hair style will travel nicely and plan accordingly. You want to avoid having to do anything to it when you arrive at your destination..

Tip #5. Consider the weather and climate you live in or will be traveling to. During the holidays weather is unpredictable. Between rain, snow, wind and humidity your hair style can be ruined in a blink of an eye. If you know the weather condition ahead of time pick a style that will hold up to the elements with some protection ie umbrella, head scarf or covering of some sort. On the other hand if you are not sure, plan for a hairstyle that will stand up to anything, if possible

Tip #6. You can dress up natural ethnic hairstyles to be more elegant and pleasing for a special occasions by using hair accessories of various sorts. Your buns, braids, dreads and afros can be transformed into beautifully and elegantly designed works of art. Sure to be admired by all.

One other thing to remember. When using a hair care regimen it is a good idea to use the same line of styling products also. This will give your hair the best possible chance of staying healthy and strong, but showing off the beauty of your hairstyle as your crowning glory.

Look for more in the coming weeks on hair styles for the holidays and hair care during the winter months for all multi-ethnic and ethnic women.