Weight Gain The holidays can seem like an endless   parade of cookies, pies, special drinks, and traditional desserts. But a few   smart moves can help you avoid holiday weight gain. You can have your beloved   cheesecake if you stick to reasonable portions and cut back on calories when   you can. Choose hot cocoa over creamy eggnog (a calorie atomic bomb!). Watch   out for finger foods at parties, as mindless munching can add up. Have a light   breakfast and lunch so you can enjoy all the holiday fare at dinner, and aim   to fit in some exercise each day, even if it's just a brisk walk around the   block.

Sleepless Nights Catching a red-eye to your relatives   or setting a crazy-early alarm for shopping can mean sacrificing a good night's   rest. One too many of those nights (or even just one for that matter) can cause   dark circles, bags under your eyes, and a dull complexion. Over the long run,   lack of sleep can actually speed the signs of aging, and who wants that? Now   more than ever, you should make sleep a real priority. You'll not only look   better, but studies suggest sleep can improve memory, help vaccine efficacy   (as in flu shot!), and lessen weight gain.

Shorter Days When the clocks turn back, the days   get darker sooner, and sunshine becomes a distant memory. For many, this also   marks a time when they put away the sunblock. Don't let the weather fool you.   Even though UVB rays—the ones that cause sunburns—are less intense, harmful   UVA rays are the same year-round. These can cause skin cancer and premature   aging, so use sunscreen under makeup or use a foundation with SPF, particularly   during winter sports. If you're concerned about your vitamin D intake, there   are other ways to get vitamin D besides sunlight.

Stressed Out Skin Unfortunately holidays often   bring stress. Money troubles, pressure to host or attend parties, and cooking   a meal for a large crowd are only some of the reasons you may feel tense this   time of year. But all that worry can cause more than just your mood to plummet.   Stress can lead to skin issues like acne and psoriasis flares, as well as hair   loss. Take time to actually enjoy the season, and understand plans probably   won't go off without at least one tiny hitch. Relax by the fire, get a massage,   let someone else cook—just take some you time, and watch stress melt away.

Fading Hair Color At the end of the year, hair   color can look a little blah. Whether you have natural color that has lost its   summer luster, or colored tresses that haven't made it to the salon recently,   winter is the perfect time to get your hair holiday-party ready! Semi-permanent   at-home kits can create a subtle yet noticeable difference, and several tricks   of the trade can make any color job last longer. Keep your hair conditioned   by using a weekly mask, and avoid hot tools when possible to maintain vibrant   color. And try a color-protecting styling product that enhances shine too.

Dull Complexion Just as hair color fades in the   winter, so does your complexion. Chilly conditions cause dry skin, and that   sun-kissed glow has long since left your face. Bring life back to your appearance   just in time for out-of-town guests to arrive (and office parties to begin).   Give your winter skin a wake-up by using a daily exfoliator to scruff off dead   skin cells and invest in an age-defying color corrector for a more even skin   tone. Try a tinted moisturizer with SPF. Add a pop of much-needed color with   a rosy-pink cream blush that stays on longer and adds a more youthful look than   powder blushes.

Dry Air and Static Hair Frizz in the summer, and   static in the winter: Your hair just can't seem to win the weather battle. There   are things you can do other than pulling your hair into a top knot. Get holiday-ready   by adding shine back into hair; use shampoo that doesn't strip out natural oils,   deep-condition weekly or monthly, and/or sweep a glossing cream onto dry strands.

Nail Damage You're finally done shopping, so you   can kick up your feet and relax. But wait, all those presents need to be wrapped!   Unless you have a little elf to do it for you, all that manual labor is sure   to nick, chip, and smudge your pretty new mani. At home, be sure not to skip   steps. Each nail should get a base coat, two color coats, and a top coat to   seal the shade. And add one quick-dry drop to each nail to speed up drying time   and prevent smudges. At the salon, try out gel lacquers. These use UV light   to set polish, and last for an impressive two to three weeks without chipping.