I love this time of year when it comes to makeup looks. Why? Because it’s the perfect time to break out all the glitter, sparkle, shine, and bold reds.
I love me some sparkle. But let’s be honest. Once you hit 40 it can start to feel a little over the top wearing glitter and sparkle on your eyes on just your average day. Not that it stops me. I don’t think your age, or anything else for that matter, should hold you back from doing anything that makes you happy. But I feel like the holiday season, and especially holiday parties, are the perfect time to let loose and really have fun with your makeup.
Here are some of my favorite ways, and favorite products, to add a little extra something special to my makeup look.
Sparkle and Shine
Glittering Eyeshadows
I will always wear shimmer eyeshadows till the day I die. But holiday parties are a time where I really embrace my love for sparkle. I love using glittering eyeliners and really sparkling or metallic shadows to amp up my look.
Here are some amazing products that I love turning too when I’m feeling festive.
Urban Decay Party Favor Moondust Eyeshadow Palette ($29 USD/$38 CAD). This palette is full fo neutral shades of the Urban Decay Moondust eyeshadow formula. These are all new shades so fear not if you already have moodust shadows in your collection.
What I love about this particular palette is that they aren’t super wild and colorful shades like the Moodust palette. They are more neutral shades that can be incorporated into any look. You can also use them as a highlighter on face and body!
If you love glitter you’ll love these. Each shade is laced with micro-fine sparkle and lush 3D metallic glitter for a luxe, diamond-like effect. The shades are:
- NEW MOON: sheer grey with iridescent blue sparkle
- SUGAR HIGH: sheer pink with iridescent pink sparkle
- NO SHAME: sheer gold with pink and gold sparkle
- SPACED: sheer brown with iridescent sparkle
- LONG NIGHT: sheer rose-brown with multi-colored sparkle
- POWDER TRIP: sheer copper with gold and pink sparkle
Another product I always reach for when I want to add something extra special to my look is the Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadows ($24 USD/$ CAD).
There are so many shades to choose from and great sets and minis sets available for the holidays. Shown are some of my favorite shades for the holidays; Kitten Karma, Diamond Dust, and Smokey Storm.
When I want full-on metallic, glittering sheen I turn to the Tarte Chrome Paint Shadow Pots ($22 USD/$ CAD). Shown is Top Yacht in the old packaging. This is such a perfect metallic champagne to add to any eye look for a little extra glam.
Sparkling Eyeliners
Using eyeliners that have glitter in the formula is one of my favorite ways to add a little something special to an eye look. I do this all the time as it’s a subtle way to add some sparkle to your eyes. If you feel a little nervous about putting sparkle all over your lids you may want to give a sparkling eyeliner a try.
I love using the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliners ($21 USD/$29.50 CAD). I have a huge collection of these in a variety of fun colors. You aren’t restricted to just using these as an eyeliner or eyeliner topper either. You can spread out the formula on your lid as a great, long-lasting way to add glitter to your eyeshadow look. Shown are
Some of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($ USD/$ CAD) also have glitter in the formula. This is probably my favorite pencil eyeliner formula and I love reaching for the more shimmering and glittering shades to add some interest to my looks. Shown are Viper and Wild Side.
Bold Lips
I have so many bold lip colors in my makeup collection but I must admit, I never wear them. The holiday season may be one of the only times I get out of my comfort zone and wear a red or other bold shade on my lips.
I also love carrying lipsticks in my handbag that have extra-luxe packaging this time of year. It just seems fitting, doesn’t it? There are of course so many amazing shades and formulas out there. Some that I’ve been loving exploring and revisiting are:
Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Ruby Cream Lipsticks ($32 USD/$41 CAD) there are seven stunning shades in this formula and the packaging is extra special. Right down to the incredible design of the lipstick bullet itself. Shown are
Yves Saint Laurent Vernis a Levres Water Stains ($37 USD/$45 CAD) are a lighter way of wearing bold color. I adore all the YSL Stain formulas (glossy, vinyl, water). This is a fabulous, long-wearing way to wear a pop of red for your holiday look. Shown are 615 Ruby Wave – deep cool blue red and 618 Wet Vermilion – blood orange red.
The sleek and slim Yves Saint Laurent The Slim Sheer Matte ($ 39 USD/$ CAD) and The Slim Leather-Matte Lipsticks The Collector Couture Studs ($39 USD/$50 CAD) look and feel so chic. I have really been enjoying these and I still haven’t had a chance to play with all the colors. I love that the Sheer Mattes give you this beautiful effect like you’ve kissed of the color. A blotted effect. I know that maybe doesn’t sound as good as it actually looks. You’ll have to trust me… or just give them a try!
The lipsticks are meant to be buildable so you can get that effect with one layer or apply 2 or 3 for a fuller coverage effect. Shown are The Slim Sheer in 109 Rose Denude – vivid true pink and The Slim Leather-Matte in 11 Ambiguous Beige and 13 Original Coral.
You can also find the limited edition Collector Couture Studs packaging on four shades of the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick ($38 USD/$49 CAD). Shown in the shades 09 Rose Stiletto and 01 Le Rouge (and holy crap this is a gorgeous red!).
High Shine Highlight
I usually go fairly subtle with my highlighter, preferring a more natural luminous glow. When doing holiday party makeup I like to go for a little extra sheen.
One of my favorite highlighters when I want a more amped up highlighter is the Dior Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder ($48 USD/$62 CAD). I have this in several shades and my favorites are 01 Nude Glow (shown) for warmer looks and 02 Pink Glow for cooler toned looks. They never let me down.
Luxe Scent
Holiday parties call for an extra luxurious scent and I pretty much always turn to my favorite perfume Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black. I still love this scent as passionately as when I first discovered it. I adore it. I just discovered it’s been discontinued ( at least at Sephora) so I’m a little mortified. This is my signature scent. I guess I need to be putting this on my Christmas list to stock up on spare bottles. It appears to still be available online at Ulta but I’m not sure if that’s a permanent or temporary thing.
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