The holiday season is THEE time to go glam. From mid December through New Year’s Eve, your dance card is full. Chances are, you’ve got parties galore and looking the part is crucial. So, go on, be festive! This time of year calls for glistening, glimmering effects on eyes, cheeks, and lips (but not all at once). Read on as we share our top five party perfect looks that are guaranteed to turn heads at every soiree this holiday season. Start tonight!
’70s Glam
For a party look that’s bold, but still somehow a bit muted, get into this ’70s inspired look. L’Oreal makeup artist Mary Phillips shares the look she recently created for Jennifer Lopez. We love this look because we adore Jennifer Lopez, and the products used are all available at your local drugstore (yes, we love beauty on a budget when possible!).
After foundation, apply blush. Use L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Blush in Soft Peach ($13). For cheeks to look truly natural, Mary believes it’s always best to build a few colors. Follow with the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Sweet Ginger ($11) to create a naturally flushed look.
For eyes, use the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Dual Effects in Treasured Bronze ($10). Keep the pressure of the application softer towards the inner eye and build it out further, pressing more firmly, giving an emphasized bolder eye while still leaving a muted undertone.
Follow with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Liner in Black ($8). Apply it slightly above the lash hairs on the lash line and extend the line out and up towards the outer corners of the eye.
Curl lashes and apply L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara in Blackest Black ($9) for a doll-like lash effect.
For a well-defined brow look, apply L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Sculptor ($8) in Brunette. This brow pen will give you healthy, fuller brows and gives a great element to complete the eye as it helps to frame the face without being overbearing.
Lastly, for the lip, use a classic nude like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour in Henna ($12). Re-apply after the first coat and then blot. Use this as a lip liner as well by applying with a dry and very thinly pointed lip brush.
Smoked Out and Smoldering
While smoky, glittery eyes, chiseled cheeks, and big, bold, bambi lashes might come to mind when you think “glam,” celebrity makeup artist Merrell Hollis, resident artist for The Wendy Williams Show, advises: “The first thing, and always a factor is skin! Make sure your foundation and concealer are properly applied and blended.” We suggest starting with complexion products that correct imperfections seamlessly. Once skin is flawless, it’s time to glam it up…
A smoky eye is a classic and should honestly be in every girl’s makeup application repertoire. But for holiday parties and the big ball drop, step away from the traditional black/grey and opt instead to mix in some jewel tones. We recommend emerald green.
Groom brows and highlight the brow using a matte brow highlight like Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Pencil ($18).
Line upper and lower lashline with a super dark jewel-toned liner like Tarte Skinny SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Jade ($19).
Smudge liner into lashline and up onto the lid with fingers.
Apply black liner at the lash and waterlines. We like Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Liner Waterproof in Extra Black ($20).
Load lashes with lots of mascara.
To get an even more dramatic look, apply false lashes like Sephora Collection Irresistible False Lash ($10).
Finish with a neutral color lip that has a pinky tone, like Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Pepper ($24).
Bright Lips and Bold Lashes
Nothing amps up your party look like a red lip. Every woman needs a favorite red lipstick because it can be the savior on just about any occasion. During the holidays, further amplify your red lip by pairing it with dark lined eyes and bold, full lashes.
Set your foundation with MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder ($30). We love this powder because it illuminates skin giving that lit-from-within look.
Bring out the best features of your face with a little highlighting and Nars Contour Blush ($42) makes this super easy.
Prep lids with lid primer.
Groom brows and a add a matte brow highlighter to make brows pop. Try Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duality ($24).
Apply a lightly iridescent cream shadow that is just one or two shades darker than your skin tone and blend it into the crease. Tom Ford’s Cream Color For Eyes in Spice ($42) is a great choice.
Line upper lashline with a soft black liquid liner. Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen ($22) is perfect.
Line lower lid with a soft black pencil liner and gently smudge it to soften the look.
Apply strip lashes.
Use your favorite semi gloss or matte red lipstick. We love Guerlain Kiss Kiss in Love Kiss ($37) and Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red ($13).
All That Glitters
Nothing says “partay!” like glittery eye shadow. While the end result is quite festive, glitter shadow can be a bit tricky to apply. According to Merrell, “The best way to pull off this look is to start with an eyeshadow base that is similar to your shadow of choice.”
Use a dark shadow that compliments the glitter of choice. For example, if you’re using silver glitter, like Urban Decay Moonspoon ($20), opt for a dark grey to work into the lashline and up into the crease. Smashbox Photo Op Eyeshadow in Dark Room ($28) is a good choice for this.
Apply a liquid liner over the entire area where you’ll be placing glitter. Choose a liquid liner that is the same shade as the glitter you’ll be applying. In our case, NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in Extreme Silver ($4).
Place a napkin below the eye (to catch fallout) and while liquid liner is still wet, use a shadow brush to press the glitter shadow onto the area with liquid liner.
To add more depth to the look, use a dark liner to line the waterline.
Apply mascara to top and bottom lashes.
Go even bolder and apply a matte red lipstick like Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery ($22).
Purple Rain
A vivid purple shadow says “let’s get this party started,” especially if you foil the color.
Start with Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow in Exhibition ($32).
With your finger or a brush, apply the mauve shimmer shade first. Next, apply the deep purple shimmer shade. To heighten the impact of purple (a.k.a. to foil the color), wet your brush before application.
Allow shadow to dry, and then proceed with black liner and mascara.
Punctuate lips with a slick, peachy gloss like Dior Addict Gloss in Delice ($29)
-Felicia Walker Benson is the founder of ThisThatBeauty.com