Holiday makeup tips

tried and true

The holiday party season is here and you’ll probably be heading out to some of these celebrations straight from work. The harsh reality is, even expertly applied and carefully maintained makeup will crease, fade, slip or smudge during the day. No worries, I’ve devised a foolproof strategy of touch-up tips to bring back that ‘freshly applied’ look you started the day with… plus some extra tips to make sure you look fabulously festive!

Get the oil out

Blot away any excess oil on the skin’s surface by gently pressing and patting with either a tissue or a blotting sheet (Tatcha Japanese Blotting Papers). Those with normal to dry skin can skip this step.

Blend thoroughly

With a clean makeup sponge (e.l.f. Blending Wedges), use a gentle buffing motion to smooth out foundation, concealer and blush you started the day with. Make sure to buff out all streaks and edges as you go. If you have oily or combination skin, make sure you followed the first tip before doing this.

Condition your pout

Remove all of your lipstick and apply a light layer of lip balm (Blistex Lip Medex) to condition your lips while you touch up the rest of your face.

Re-apply

Apply fresh foundation (Clinique Even Better Makeup) over worn down areas or around the mouth; blend it in with your makeup sponge.

Blend away blemishes

Reapply concealer (Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage) on blemishes and under the eyes (if that area looks a bit dark).

Ready? Set?

Apply pressed powder (Cargo blu-ray™ Pressed Powder) to re-set freshly applied foundation and concealer.

Blush on

Blush is usually one of the first parts of makeup to fade, so reapply if needed. Also keep in mind that you’ll need a bit more color for dimmer evening lighting. Bonus tip: Rose or Mauve toned blush (like Nars Dolce Vita) creates the most natural looking flush of color on the cheeks.

Over the eye

If your eyeshadow has creased, blot the area gently with a tissue or blotting paper and then use a brush or sponge to smooth out the color (see tips 1 and 2). Apply a little pressed powder over the area to even out the shadows. Finally, reapply any colors (Smashbox Photo-Op Eyeshadow) that have faded during this process.

Touch up eyeliner

Touch up your eyeliner (Stila Smudge Stick Eye Liner) particularly under the eyes where it might have smeared. Use the corner of your makeup sponge or a Q-tip to clean up the smear before you reapply and then set the liner with a matching powder eyeshadow.

Dress up your pout

Finally, blot off any excess lip balm and reapply your lipstick (Ellis Faas Lips).

Festive fun tips

You can layer any of these tricks into the touch-up to give your makeup some extra party pizzazz.

• You glow, girl! Create your own “candlelight” glow by applying a highlight powder (Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder) to the tops of you cheekbones and under the eyes to accent and brighten the center of your face for evening lighting.
• “Burnish” your face with bronzing powder (Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer) by sweeping from you cheekbones back toward your temples, then across the hairline and finally just below the chin.
• Jewel lining! Turn your smoky eye into a standout eye by relining you entire eye (upper and lower lid) with a jewel-tone waterproof eyeliner (Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes). Smudge it into a playful smoke or leave it sharp for graphic impact.
• Light up the sparkle! Lightly brush a glaze of shimmering metallic shadow (MAC Pigment) on your eyelid directly over your existing eye makeup to add an unexpected spark whenever you lower your lid or blink.
• Greek goddess. Top your lipstick off with a dab of sparkling gold or silver iridescent gloss (Armour Beauty “Marilyn” or “Stardust”) to give it some glamorous gleam.

Above all… remember it’s the holiday season, so have some FUN with your makeup. Now don’t just stand there, powder that nose so we can go party!

More on beauty

Fall makeup trends
The little things in beauty
Beauty tips from backstage