Holiday Beauty - Penny Pincher Fashion

As much as I love a traditional red lip for the holidays, this is the time of year to play around with your makeup & try something a little more unique & special. If you’ve been invited to several events this season, it’s a great idea to experiment with different looks for each party you’re attending. I always try to coordinate my makeup with the outfit I’m wearing and then style my hair appropriately to complement the look. Today I’m sharing three simple beauty combinations + a makeup blending technique that will keep your skin glowing all night long! To make things simple, all of the eye shadows I chose for these looks are from this palette, which I have been using daily since I purchased it back in September – it was a bit of a splurge for me at the time, but I’m definitely getting my money’s worth out of it!

It’s so important to start with a smooth base when doing your makeup. I’ve talked before about how crucial it is to adjust your skincare for the colder dryer weather & I’ve recently adopted a new trick that is really keeping my skin moisturized throughout the day. I simply mix together equal parts of the POND’S Dry Skin Cream with my usual foundation (I use Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation). Not only does this help seal the moisture into my skin, but it also gives a luminous finish to my makeup. Once I have completed this step, I apply my undereye concealer & set it all with a light dusting of translucent powder. Here are three festive party looks I created to give you some new ideas to try:

BRONZE EYES + CORAL LIPS

ZARA Crystal Headband (similar here, here or here)

HOW TO:

Apply Radar eyeshadow all over lid & then apply DirtySweet on the inner 1/3 of the eyelid. Trace your lower lash line with the bronze eye crayon and blend, extending just beyond the outer corner in a soft wing shape. Apply shimmering gold liner to the inner corner of eyes. Apply one layer of mascara to top & bottom lashes. Brush on bronzer just underneath your cheekbones to create definition. Lightly blend liquid highlighter on cheekbones. Finish with a soft coral lipstick.

PRODUCTS USED:

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette (colors: Radar & DirtySweet) // Circa Eye Crayon (Pure Topaz)
MAC Technakohl Liner ($$$) // Boots No7 Perfectly Bronzed Mosaic Bronzer // Benefit Sun Beam Highlighter

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara // NARS Audacious Lipstick (Juliette)

SMOKY EYES + PINK LIPS

BaubleBar Earrings (similar here, here or here)

HOW TO:

Apply Dagger all over your eyelid, stopping just above the crease. Then apply Slanted to the inner 1/3 of eyelid & Black Market to the outer corners, blending well. Trace along your upper lash line & inside your lower rim with the black pencil. Using an angled brush, press Black Market along your lower lash line and soften by smoothing over it gently with your finger. Curl lashes and apply two coats of mascara. Using a fluffy brush, apply a light layer of pink blush to the apples of your cheeks & sweeping up towards your cheekbones. Finish with a soft pink lipcolor.

PRODUCTS USED:

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette (colors: Slanted, Dagger & Black Market)
BeautyCounter Eye Pencil (Black) // MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
NARS Blush (Gaiety) // NARS Velvet Lip Pencil (Roman Holiday)

FULL LASHES + BURGUNDY LIPS

HOW TO:

Apply High from your lash line to brow bone. Using a fine-tip angled brush, use Whiskey to “tightline” along the upper & lower lashes. Curl your lashes & apply one coat of mascara. Using tweezers, carefully zip individual lashes into the glue & apply one at a time until you’ve reached your desired fullness. Apply another light coat of mascara to blend fake lashes with your natural ones. Lightly blend the liquid highlighter onto cheekbones, temples inner corner of eyes & cupid’s bow. Finish with a deep burgundy lipstick & a small dab of gloss in the center of your bottom lip.

PRODUCTS USED: