Some makeup looks are so tried, tested and true that you know they’ve always got your back (we will forever love a rosy cheek and a subtle cat eye swoosh of liner). Swipe on a red lip or add volume to your hair with some soft waves, or create soft smoky eyes and you know you’re instant-party-ready.

Before you head out the door to one of the many holiday gatherings we know you’re checking off of your calendar this season, perfect your look with these five, we-swear-they-never-fail
holiday beauty looks. Hello, gorgeous!

1. Holiday beauty: The red lip

Some women feel that a bold lipstick is too much but if a red lip is wrong, then we don’t want to be right. Classic, effortless and elegant (and done just right), an
enviable red lip is a beauty look that’s sophisticated and easy to achieve. Perfect for the holidays, the red lip is not only dramatic but totally festive, too.

How to get the look

First, prime your lips so they’re ready for red. “Exfoliate and moisturize the lips first to make any lipstick look its best,” says Grace Lee, Maybelline New York Lead Makeup Artist, Canada. She recommends Maybelline’s Baby Lips SPF 20 Lip Moisturizing Balm, for a hydrating fix.

DO take your outfit into consideration when choosing the perfect shade of red. “Make sure the red matches your clothing’s undertone,” advises Lee. “Take a closer look at the material; is it a blue red, coral red? Pick a complementary lipstick colour so you don’t look ‘off’. If you want your teeth to look extra white, stick to reds with a blue based undertone,” she says.

DON’T apply red lipstick to your bare lips. “Apply a lip pencil all over your lip first, then apply lipstick,” says Lee. “Blot, then apply another layer of lipstick.”

2. Holiday beauty: Smoky eyes

Nothing adds drama to your makeup more than
smoky eyes. Every celeb who has walked the red carpet knows it. But applied incorrectly, you might look like you’re sporting a shiner, rather than being a shining example of makeup done right.

How to get the look

Lee suggests sticking to earth tones rather than black or dark grey eye shadow when it comes to never-fail smoky eyes. “The key is blending,” says Lee. “Start with a pencil, line your eyes top and bottom, and blend it out so there’s no harsh line. Then blend eye shadow into the eyeliner with a soft bristle brush. Add a darker colour if necessary, closer to the lash line and keep blending. Did I mention blend?!” We heard you! Blend. Let’s say it together: BLEND.

DO did we mention to blend?

DON’T fear mixing a bold eye with bold lips. Lee says to wear what you’re most comfortable with. There are no rules.

Perfect your holiday beauty with glowing skin and shimmer (just a touch!) on the next page …
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3. Holiday beauty: Glowing skin

What could be a better makeup look than a clear and flawless canvas to work with?
Glowing skin will make whatever makeup look you choose to wear, look its absolute best.

How to get the look

Your regular cleansing and moisturizing routine will help your skin look its best all the time. But to emphasize your
glowing complexion, Lee recommends adding a bit of highlight to your cheekbones.

DO think ‘glow’, not ‘disco ball’, says Lee.

DON’T go overboard and don’t use too much highlight with high frost or glitter, cautions Lee.

4. Holiday beauty: Shimmer

A subtle shimmer on your skin can look beautiful at an evening holiday party. But take it one step too far and you’ve ventured into ‘tacky’ territory.

How to get the look

“You can add a touch [of shimmer] as a brow highlight and a cheekbone highlight,” says Lee. “The key is to keep it subtle and beautiful. I love mixing Baby Lips with a bit of Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Shadow in Bold Gold or Too Cool and dabbing it along the cheekbones or even a touch in the cupid’s bow to make lips look ready for an ‘under the mistletoe moment’,” she says.

DO stick to neutral tones of shimmer, as anything too white tends to look ghostly and scary if not applied right, says Lee.


DON’T
use shimmer products that have large particles of frost or glitter, says Lee.

Now that you have your makeup set, pretty up your hair with our tips on the next page …
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5. Holiday beauty: Soft waves

“Soft waves are a great holiday look because they are glamorous and beautiful, reminiscent of old Hollywood style,” says Nina Farrauto, Garnier Styling and Colour Expert. “They are versatile, can be worn with a party outfit, or dressed down as a polished finishing touch with a more casual outfit,” she says.

How to get the look

“To achieve beautiful soft waves, start by applying a mousse into damp hair before blow drying,” says Farrauto. “Once the hair is dry, take vertical sections starting at the front hairline, and work your way towards the back of the head. Wrap each section around a large barrel curling iron until the hair is hot to touch, wrapping it the same way all the way back on either side,” she says.

“To create an old Hollywood glam style, wrap the hair on either side toward the face, or for a more casual blown out wave, wrap the hair away from the face,” says Farrauto. “Once all the hair has been set, brush through the curls with a wide bristled or paddle brush to loosen the curls into a soft wave. Finish the style off by spraying the hair with a finishing hair spray.”

DO wrap your hair in the same direction when curling each section. “Wrapping the curl in one direction is what gives it the wavy appearance,” says Farrauto.

DON’T be afraid to brush out your curls. “It may seem like the curl will fall out, but brushing is what will give you the soft wave,” says Farrauto.


Read more:

The prettiest holiday hair looks

Gorgeous runway holiday looks to get inspired by

Switch things up with a pretty hair accessory