What’s Happening Right Under Our Christmas Trees?
Have you ever stared at your reflection on Christmas Eve, wishing you could get that salon-fresh blowout or those perfect holiday nails without spending a fortune or leaving the house? Sally Beauty just heard every single one of those silent wishes. The retailer kicked off its “Holiday Beauty at Home” campaign this month, and it runs all the way through December. The whole idea? Help regular folks pull off red-carpet hair and nail looks with stuff you can actually afford.
Who’s Teaching Us the Tricks?
Picture this: three pros who have styled celebrities for years are now coming straight to your phone. Monae Everett – the queen of editorial hair – teams up with Gregory Patterson (you’ve seen him on TV a million times) and nail guru Juli Russell. They filmed simple, follow-along tutorials. Want loose waves that last through New Year’s Eve? Monae has you. Need a quick updo before the office party? Gregory breaks it down step by step. Juli shows how to do candy-cane nails or glitter cuticles that don’t chip before you open presents.
Real People, Real Picks
It’s not just pros talking. Sally Beauty brought in a bunch of influencers too. These are the girls you already watch on TikTok and Instagram. They picked their ride-or-die products for the season – think the new Beauty Secrets holiday sets that come wrapped and ready to gift (or keep, no judgment). Then there’s the ion Luxe 8-in-1 Airstyler Pro. Eight tools in one. Yes, eight. People are losing their minds over how fast it turns damp hair into bouncy curls while the kids are still eating breakfast.
Smell Like the Holidays, Literally
Guess what else dropped? A whole fragrance counter. Sabrina Carpenter’s Sweet Tooth scent is already flying off shelves – it smells like vanilla and candied ginger, perfect for December nights. New brands like ALT. and Solinotes joined the party too. You can walk into Sally Beauty, test a few sprays, and leave smelling like a cozy coffee shop or a dark winter forest. Who needs a candle when your hair can do the work?
Mood Boards That Actually Help
Ever open Pinterest and feel overwhelmed? Sally Beauty fixed that. They built ready-made mood boards built around two huge trends this year: the “Coffee Aesthetic” (think warm mochas, cinnamon tones, soft latte nails) and “Dark Feminine Energy” (deep berries, smoky eyes, almost-black hair gloss). Click the board, shop every single product in one click. It’s stupidly easy – the kind of easy that makes you wonder why nobody did this sooner.
Why Now? Because We’re All Broke After Last Year
Let’s be honest – wallets took a beating in 2023 and 2024. The average American spent almost $190 just on holiday beauty appointments last December, according to new numbers from Circana. Almost two hundred bucks! No wonder at-home beauty sales jumped 28% year-over-year (Sally Beauty’s own data backs that up). People still want to look amazing in family photos. They just don’t want to choose between glam and groceries.
Pop Culture Tie-In That Feels Organic
Remember when Brandy and Monica dropped that surprise “The Boy Is Mine” remix? Sally Beauty said hold my flat iron. They partnered with the tour to create limited “The Boy Is Mine” inspired lip and nail kits. Dark plum lips, chrome silver nails – suddenly your holiday party look has 90s R&B energy. It’s the kind of clever crossover that doesn’t feel forced. Fans are eating it up.
One Store, Every Possible Look
Walk into any Sally Beauty right now and the holiday vibe hits you immediately. There are gift sets stacked like colorful bricks, travel-size everything (perfect for stocking stuffers), and those big lighted mirrors so you can test shades in real light. Team members wear little Santa hats – cheesy, yes, but it makes you smile when you’re stressed about finding the right red polish.
Numbers That Don’t Lie
Last year the retailer saw a 42% spike in sales of multi-use styling tools the week before Christmas. They’re expecting even bigger numbers this time because the ion Luxe Airstyler keeps selling out online within hours of restocks. Stores can barely keep the Beauty Secrets sets on shelves either – the glitter topcoat set is already on its third reorder before Thanksgiving even hits.
Will It Actually Save You Money?
Short answer: yes. A typical salon blowout runs $45–$75 this time of year. The ion Luxe tool is under a hundred bucks and you own it forever. Same story with nails. A full gel set at the salon? Easily $60 plus tip. Juli’s tutorials plus a $15 bottle of builder gel and you’re done for months. Add up three or four trips you skip and the stuff basically pays for itself before New Year’s Day.
The holidays don’t have to mean beauty bankruptcy anymore. Sally Beauty just handed everyone the cheat code: look expensive, spend smart, stay home in your pajamas while you do it.
