Finding an ideal outfit for the holidays can be as stressful as gift selection. Do you stick with your personal brand, or add so much sparkle that you’re cross-eyed before your second glass of champagne? And then makeup gets folded into the equation. Smoky eyes, contoured cheeks, bold lips and incandescent skin—one of the above, or everything at once? We’ve narrowed it down to this simple ethos: lipstick can and will make any outfit better. Look for a colour that draws something out from your outfit—perhaps a shade tucked into a pattern (which you’ll see below)—or maybe something completely opposite that makes a shade or texture pop. ELLE Canada editors—four with very distinct, individual styles—shopped the latest beauty and fashion collections in search of their perfect match. 

 

Elaine Jyll Regio, Market Editor

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My aesthetic: Dark and a little street with a mix of oversized and tailored pieces. Also, comfortable.

A typical outfit: A suit with a logo’d T-shirt and sneakers or culottes with an oversized sweatshirt

My anti-look: Anything that is fully body con or shows off my legs – pretty much the outfit I’m wearing here. I don’t like showing off my body so I always balance it out. If it’s loose top, I’ll go more slim on the bottom and vice versa. Or just an all over loose fit.

My beauty default: Liquid eyeliner, mascara, tinted moisturizer and a little blush and contour.

Elaine’s lipstick pick: The navy and the blue on the shirt dress are complementary colours to the orange tint in the lipstick. It’s a perfect pairing. I’m wearing Tom Ford Lip Color in Sunset Boulevard ($68).

Step/repeat: It’s a little out of my comfort zone but it was a really fun look. I think when it comes to the holidays, people should just have fun and try new fashion and beauty looks.

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Elaine is wearing a dress by Opening Ceremony ($635) and Tom Ford Lip Color in Sunset Boulevard ($68). 

 

Katherine Flemming, Health & Beauty Editor

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My aesthetic: I appreciate clean lines and neutrals—but always amplified by a feminine detail such as a bow, scallop or Peter Pan collar.

A typical outfit: A thin, black knit turtleneck paired with a fuller A-line skirt. Or a striped, long-sleeved t-shirt with cropped black skinny jean.

My anti-look: I don’t like body-con dresses, short skirts or thigh-high slits. So this look was 1000% outside of my circle of comfort and happiness.

My beauty default: A bold lip always and forever. When I die, I want to be buried with tubes of all of my favourite berries and reds. I always fill my brows, and erase my lack of sleep with a generous dabbing of highlighter and concealer.

Katherine’s lipstick pick: NARS Audacious Lipstick in Kate ($39). I will always gravitate to a vivid, blue-based shade, and this orchid purple lipstick balanced the depth of this army green dress. A cherry red lip would have registered as a horrible Christmas encounter.

Step/repeat: I feel as comfortable wearing this as I do exiting the house when Mercury is in retrograde. But I think the way it was styled—with a black turtleneck as a base—gave it a level of security. And the colour and fabric were so luxurious, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the dress.

 

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Katherine is wearing a turtleneck by Vince ($265), a dress by Cushnie et Ochs ($1940) and a Saint Laurent Cuff ($1165) and NARS Audacious Lipstick in Kate ($39).

 

Victoria DiPlacido, Associate Beauty Editor

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My aesthetic: A lot of black, navy, beige, grey and white—in that order.

A typical outfit: Some sort of billowing shirt in a neutral colour with navy silk pants or black skinny jeans and Nike Air Force 1s.

My anti-look: The one I’m wearing in these photos. Too much frill for my liking.

My beauty default: A thin black line of eyeliner nestled into my eyelashes, which, hopefully, have medium-length, volumizing extensions on them. Clean skin (somewhere between dewy and matte) and moisturized lips.

Victoria’s lipstick pick: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bond Girl ($38). I dislike vibrant pink lipstick on me, but just dabbing on this muted hue from Charlotte Tilbury gave me a sheer wash of colour that complemented my shirt without making it look like I was on my way to a princess party.

Step/repeat: The top feels very Hamilton to me (a good thing), but I’d ditch the skirt and wear it with striped Adidas leggings or a pair of athletic-looking trousers and black velvet Fenty Pumas.

Victoria is wearing a top ($1105) and skirt ($2485) by Roberto Cavalli and Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bond Girl ($38).

 

Liz Guber, Associate Fashion Editor

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My aesthetic: Reworked, refined vintage.

A typical outfit: Black wide-leg culottes with a cool pair of mules and a vintage top. Right now I’m into anything neo-Victorian or vaguely Edwardian (ruffles, a high neck). I’ll swap in a pair of Levi’s 505s if I’m feeling casual. I also love the look of a longer tunic over skinny cropped trousers.

My anti-outfit: I shy away from anything sparkly or sequinned, neon and generally loud. I’m more into making a statement with an unexpected silhouette.

My beauty default: Natural. I touch up my brows and slick on mascara. For skin, a light layer of foundation, highlighter on the cheekbones and maybe some blush. When it comes to lips, it’s usually a tinted balm. I rarely wear lipstick “full-on” and prefer to do a light stain of colour.

Liz’s lipstick pick: Nars Audacious Lipstick in Ingrid ($39) layered over with Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Your Majesty ($41). I was into it. Typically when I want to amp up my makeup look I focus on the eyes. I think the bare face with a bold lip looked thoroughly modern and vibed well with the dress.

Step/repeat: I like going out of my beauty comfort zone once in a while—it’s just lipstick. And Victoria Beckham, I’d wear your dress again any day. 

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Liz is wearing a dress by Victoria Beckham ($3225) and a bralette by A.L.C. ($299.25) and both NARS Audacious Lipstick in Ingrid ($39) and Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colour in Your Majesty ($41).

All items available at HoltRenfrew.com. Photography by Benjamin Reyes. Hair by Domenic Gialleonardo, The Junction Parlour. Art direction, Brian Fleming. Fashion direction, Elaine Jyll Regio. Shot on location at the Apartment, Holt Renfrew.

 

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