There was a time when December at the spa felt like stepping into a holiday movie. Picture 21-year-old Rikki, winged liner sharp enough to slice a candy cane, running on caffeine, glitter, and pure festive adrenaline. The place wasn’t just busy; it was full-blown chaos wrapped in sparkle.

For 24 days straight, everyone who walked through those doors was on a mission to transform. Nails? Done. Makeup? Flawless. And without fail, at least one panicked client would whisper, “Rikki, I just realized I haven’t waxed anything since summer ghosted me.”

Those were the days. Sequins everywhere. Champagne in the air. Holiday playlists we unapologetically started in November. Outfit debates so intense they probably deserved their own TV reunion special. It was electric. It was theatrical. It was festive glam, and we were all completely committed.

Somewhere along the way, that magic faded.

What Made Getting Ready for Holiday Parties So Magical?

Back then, getting ready wasn’t the warm-up; it was the headliner. Clients carried their dresses like priceless museum pieces. They brought backup earrings, emergency pantyhose, and enough perfume to fog up the entire block. And the drama — the absolutely joyful drama — was half the fun.

“Red nails or… red nails?”
“Can you add shimmer? Actually, more shimmer. Still more.”
“My left eyebrow is staging a mutiny.”

It was community, chaos, beauty, and camaraderie. December felt like the Beauty Olympics, and every client was training for gold. Now the vibe feels different. A little quieter. A little more neutral. A whole lot more “I’ll just wear whatever.”

---

How Did Athleisure Take Over the Holidays?

Somewhere between the rise of Uggs and the fall of skinny jeans, athleisure waltzed in and claimed permanent residence. Jogging pants suddenly became acceptable for everything from grocery shopping to brunch to casual date nights. And the truth is, I slipped into that wave too.

One minute, I was coordinating shimmer palettes and velvet dresses. The next day, I was on day four of the same black leggings, wondering when my wardrobe had turned into a grayscale documentary. Everything started to look muted and practical. The world slowly shifted into black and white.

And the more we leaned into comfort, the faster glamour quietly backed out of the room.

---

Are Cozy House Parties Replacing Holiday Glam?

These days, December looks like matching loungewear sets, fuzzy socks, and someone saying, “Let’s keep it casual this year.” And yes, a hot chocolate bar is adorable. But so is a dramatic smoky eye. So are glittery heels that make zero sense in a Canadian winter. So is catching your reflection and thinking, “Oh yes… that’s the version of me I’ve been missing.”

When did sequins become a limited-edition species?

When did we collectively decide that sparkles were too much work?

When did “effort” get rebranded as unnecessary?

---

Why Does Glam Matter More Than We Think?

Glam isn’t about vanity. Glam is about bringing colour back into a room that feels washed out. It’s choosing excitement over autopilot. It’s stepping into a moment with intention instead of routine. It’s a tiny rebellion wrapped in a lipstick tube.

The festive season used to be our yearly permission slip to go bold—a brighter lip. Extra shimmer. The kind of sparkle that made you feel like the most festive version of yourself.

It wasn’t ridiculous. It wasn’t silly. It was joy. It was tradition. It was fun.

---

How Do We Bring Holiday Glam Back Into Our Lives?

➡Maybe it’s time to pull the sequins out of retirement.

➡Perhaps the glittery dress you bought “just in case” finally gets its moment.

➡Possibly, we choose glamour over grey, colour over neutral, sparkle over safe.

The world has felt pretty black-and-white lately, and maybe the antidote is choosing colour again and choosing celebration. Returning to the version of ourselves who still loves a dramatic entrance and a little glitter on the collarbone.