Holiday Makeup Tips & Tricks

With holiday shopping, parties, and activities, chances are you will receive ongoing exposure to eyes everywhere. Anticipating time with friends and family gives us determination to put our best foot forward make the most of our natural beauty. If you're wanting to look fabulous for the holidays but just don't have the time for heavy maintenance, here are some simple makeup tips and ideas to update your look and add some pizzazz to the festivities.

Start with Skin Care

The base for your makeup is your skin, so don't neglect the basic routines required to keep it in tip-top shape. For normal skin, wash your face twice a day and always remove your makeup before you go to bed. The air is dry in the winter so use some light moisturizer underneath your makeup and at night. To avoid blemishes, don't use heavy foundation that will clog your pores and try to keep your stress level to a minimum.

Put on Your Best Face

Traditional earth tones look great for both blondes and brunettes, but the holidays are time for fun and color. Choose elegant cream and frosted eye shadows to play up your eyes. Consider a darker blue hue for a "smoky" effect that will look great in pictures.

Eyeliner pencils come in just about any color you can imagine. Coordinate the color with your eye shadow and apply evenly underneath your eyelashes.

Mascara in navy blue and purple are considered more trendy than traditional. On New Year's Eve, almost anything goes, so if you have a hankering for colored eyelashes -- now is the time. The trick is to not overdo it. Put on one coat of brown/black mascara, followed by the color of your choice.

For your lips, use lip liner similar to the color of your lips or lipstick. Plump up your lips by adding some lip gloss over your lipstick to make them look fuller.

Use Bronzing Powder

For the finishing touch, add some color to your face and give it a holiday glow. After applying your foundation and pressed powder, dust some bronzing powder over your nose, cheeks and forehead. Carefully blend in the makeup and you will have a natural "sun-kissed" look.

If you're wearing an off-the-shoulder style or spaghetti straps, rub some body lotion with shimmer on your arms and shoulders. The light will reflect off of the glitter and add a sexy, appealing touch.