Christmas is coming up so soon, and I wanted to do a few different looks for the blog this year, but the only look I ever want to be wearing at Christmastime is the cliche gold-shadow-red-lip look. If you're in the same boat, I've got a slew of recommendations for you.
I normally talk about lips last, but since they're the focus of the look, let's start there. It can be tough to find your perfect red, but once you do, you never want to stray. I have three favorites that are all slightly different. First there's the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red (01), always a classic, which is a true, neutral red. This is as "warm" as I can go without it turning straight up orange on me. It's a beautiful red, a beautiful formula, and will make for a perfect Christmas lip. Leaning more cool is the Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored. This is one of my favorite recent launches, and I don't think I've ever felt as good in a red as I do in this one. The formula is super comfortable, and although it transfers, it doesn't smudge and smear around the face. The coolest red I'll be reaching for is the NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Starwoman. This is a straight-up blue red that's absolutely breathtaking. I love the Powermatte formula, too - it's so thin that it feels weightless on the lips, and it sticks around for a long time without being drying. You'll notice I've only mentioned liquid lips here - I think that's the way to go when you'll be eating and drinking a lot at various parties.
For eyes, I'll be reaching for the most golden eyeshadows I have, which it turns out, are not very gold. My favorite around the holidays is the MAC Eyeshadow in Patina, which is a more cool-toned, antiqued gold. It's really pretty and again, doesn't turn orange on me. For a champagne-meets-gold dewy/glossy eye, I'll be grabbing the Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in Gold Ashes - these are some of my absolute favorite eyeshadows, as they're super easy to apply, build up, and blend. I also know I'm going to be gravitating towards the Natasha Denona Chroma Crystal Top Coat a lot - I have Grey Brown, which is not gold at all, but the sparkle it gives the eyes is beautiful and makes them look wet. I need to pick up the rest of the shades ASAP. I'm also planning on going full cliche Christmas and pairing my red lip with some green liner. Before I had even finished watching Sam from Pixiwoo's Holiday Makeup Looks Video, I had ordered the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in 857 Legendary Green. It's the most perfect forest green shade, which I had been looking for for awhile. These glide on so smoothly, are easily blended and smudged out, and once set do not budge. If I want something with a little more brown to it, I like the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Stash. This has a bit of gold glitter in it too, so extra festive. Eyes should be finished off with super fluffy, voluminous lashes, so of course I'll be going for the Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara - I can't stop talking about this lately because it's just one of the best mascaras I've ever tried. I normally don't like spending much on mascara, but this one is worth it.
My favorite holiday beauty looks keep the skin ultra-glowy with neutral shades on the cheeks so as to not overpower the lip. I've been reaching for the Erborian Glow Creme a lot lately - it reminds me a lot of the MAC Strobe Cream in that it leaves a beautiful glow to the skin and feels quite moisturizing. The blushes I'll be going for are definitely going to be in the more neutral/brown category, like the Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk or the Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in Earthy Blush. These shades are perfect with a red lip because they still add definition to the face, but they won't clash with the lip. Highlighter is always important, and if you want to glow like the star on top of a Christmas tree I'd suggest the Hourglass Ambient Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette. I'm just obsessed with this palette and how glowy it makes my skin look. Despite the word "metallic" in the name, they create such a natural glow on the skin. They can be built up to be quite intense, but it still looks like dewy skin goodness instead of shimmery powder.
What are your holiday beauty staples?
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