It’s holiday party season–the time when you can take your makeup up a notch. It’s the time to try the smoky eye, wear a red lip…or even put your party eyelashes on! These are the holiday party makeup musts to consider for amping up your look (note: you don’t need to try all of them at once!).
Before you start your holiday party look, skin preparation is key. I tried the Sonäge Pre-Game Glam Party Pack ($75), which includes 25 peel pads to refresh and hydrate skin, Collagen Boosting Serum to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and my favorite, a Collagen Sheet Mask to bring radiance to the skin, pre-party. Bring on the glow!
You can never go wrong with a smoky eye, but during the holidays, and in recognition of the season, I like to incorporate a sparkly eyeshadow, too. The Maybelline Up in Smoke Makeup Kit ($14.99) has everything you need in one palette. There are four coordinated eyeshadows, along with liner, blush, highlighter and a nude lip gloss.
M∙A∙C has introduced a new Gel Eyeliner ($22) as part of it’s Rebeleyes Collection and it’s a must-have. This eyeliner is serious: it’s a black crème gel eyeliner that won’t budge, transfer or smudge. The pen is easy to use, especially along the lash line. Winged-out smoky eye? Yes, please!
Follow up with a dramatic lash; why not try some false eyelashes? Although it’s not a look I wear often, the holidays are a perfect time to take the plunge. MAKE UP FOR EVER has a wide selection of lashes. I love the N-102 Lashes, which add instant drama and volume. And no worry about lashes falling off in your drink (haven’t we all been there?); this is the best glue I’ve used!
Complete your holiday eye with lots of mascara. I would reach for YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll Mascara ($32).
For foundation, I’ve been obsessed with cushion compacts and have recently tried the Iope Air Cushion XP Foundation ($38). This Korean-brand foundation has SPF 50, light to medium buildable coverage that really breathes, and comes in two formulas: C for extra coverage or N for evening out skintone.
And on your lips? Two options. One is, of course, a holiday red lip. I’ve got ten amazing red lipstick suggestions for you. But equally as stunning is the M∙A∙C ‘All I Want’ Lipstick. Developed in collaboration with Mariah Carey, All I Want is a champagne frosted lipstick that adds a holiday shimmer to your makeup look. It’s perfect! Available as an online exclusive only, at maccosmetics.com.
For nails, I’m all about this gorgeous holiday nail art look, using JINsoon Guild and Nocturne nail polish. So easy, you can do it yourself!
And for hair? If your hair is long enough, top knots are everywhere right now. And they’re easy to recreate at home. Celebrity hairstylist, Etienne Ortega, created this sleek top knotlook for Kendall Jenner with the help of KMS California products. “My inspiration for Kendall’s look was a funky modern top knot with a wispy bang, that goes perfect with her high neck dress!” Here’s the scoop from Ortega on how to get Kendall’s red carpet look:
Step 1: Ortega used KMS California ADD VOLUME styling foam ($17.50) while the hair was damp and roughly blow dried her hair.
Step 2: Ortega used the KMS California HAIR PLAY messing cream ($20), putting a quarter size amount in his palms and worked it all throughout the hair to start creating a build up of texture.
Step 3: Then Ortega put her hair up into a pony, followed by twisting the hair into a fun top knot.
Step 4: To finish the look he used KMS California HAIR PLAY playable texture ($20) to make her bangs textured, piecey, and ready to hit the red carpet.
Once you have your party dress picked out, your beauty look decided on, don’t forget to wear the most important piece to any outfit: confidence!
Photo credit: Kendall Jenner photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
Disclosure: Press samples were provided for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review. Affiliate links have been used in the post, which helps to support this site.