Getting ready for a holiday party can be as easy as darkening or brightening your daytime hues for a more dramatic look. But for fun, let the spirit of the holiday season allow you freedom of cosmetic expression – add a little glitter! For those looking for a new way to stay current this season, and still look fabulous, here are some tips:
the holiday look
Two classic looks are favored this season – it’s all about balance. Choose either a smoky, shimmery eye with a muted lip, or a bold set of lips with a softer eye. Remember to use caution when playing up both the eyes and the mouth together, as this can make cosmetic application look like part of a Halloween costume rather than holiday glamour.
long-lasting wear
To make the holiday look last, prep beforehand and be prepared. Use a primer beneath foundation and moisturizer and on the lips and eyes, so color lasts. I adore Smashbox’s Photo Finish or Cinema Secrets foundation primer. A light coat of powder (loose or pressed is fine) helps makeup last. For items like mascara, liner and lipstick, applying a second coat goes a long way. At the party, be sure to bring oil-blotting sheets to absorb sweat and oil from the face. These should be used instead of powder, which can cake if over-applied. Oil-blotting sheets don’t remove makeup, so they’re safe to use all night long.
shimmer this season
The dewy, glowing skin look has been a hot look all year. Use a liquid base and always start with less. Liquid foundations are hands-down the most blendable and create the most natural look. Professionally, I use FACE atelier Ultra Foundation and MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation; personally I use NARS Sheer Glow Foundation – they all provided buildable coverage while looking natural. Learn to apply foundation with a kabuki brush, and “buff” and blend your foundation perfectly onto skin. Then mist it; using a facial mist such as Rose Water or MAC Fix+ will tone down any “cakiness” and keep the skin looking dewy. Glowing skin keeps the focus on both eyes and lips.
A big holiday favorite, shimmer can be added in several ways. Try dusting shimmer to the inner or outer corners of the eyes and cheekbones; apply a shimmery lipstick or lip-gloss; use a glitter mascara or eyeliner; blend liquid shimmer into foundation; buy a shimmer stick to roll on the cheeks such as Benefit’s Girls Meets Pearl. A trick I use on set to get a super dewy finish: I spray just a very light mist of olive oil on my clean hands and press into the areas I want to highlight. (This is great for legs, too.). Make certain not to overdo the shimmer; it’s best not to apply more than one shimmer product to the face in any one look.
add some color to your palette
Classic Christmas Red: Adding a dramatic, bold red to the lips shows confidence and draws attention to the mouth. Plus, a true red lipstick can brighten the teeth instantly. (Try: Holiday Red by Christian Dior.)
The Nude Lip: The perfect nude lipstick that really suits your face can be next to impossible to find. My trick for the perfect “custom” nude lip is to brush a light coat of foundation, or a darker concealor to your lip, and then add a coat of a very soft mauve pink. (Try: NARS lip gloss in Belize.)
Holiday Gold: For real glamour, add gold to the eyes, fingernails and even foundation. Citrus gold (Try: NARS eyeshadow in Etrusque), bronze and copper tinted eyeshadows (Try: LORAC’s Little Black Palette, which has four fabulous gold and bronze shades) blended with traditional colors are fun and festive. Mixing liquid gold shimmer with a liquid foundation gives the skin a warm, healthy glow. (Try: Smashbox’s Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in Flash or Glow.)
Ever Greens: For the adventurous, adding a touch of green to the eyes can truly make them pop. Green eyeliners (or dark shadows applied as an eyeliner), especially when combined with gold tones, will accentuate the eye dramatically. Pair this look with a little black dress for a muted, festive look. (Try: MAC in Humid or MAKE UP FOR EVER in Peacock Green.)
Rather than sticking to your typical makeup routine this year, be bold! Try out those new colors and trends for the holiday season; life is too short not to add a little sparkle.
