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12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Festive Party Nails

I used to think glittery polishes were oh-so-80's, but then when I kept thinking about how I wanted to do my nails for Christmas visions of blinging glittery nails popped in my head. I didn't want to do the traditional classic red or reach for my deep purple shades. All I knew was that I wanted to do something a little different, a little edgy.

I went to all the stores on the hunt for a glittery polish and what do you know, all but one store was sold out! Guess I wasn't the only one who wanted a little bling on the nails. I originally wanted gold glitter but then I saw this adorable mini set from Nicole by OPI Tinsel Tips for $12.99 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart. Since I wouldn't normally wear a glitter polish a mini bottle is all I really needed. This would definitely make the perfect stocking stuffer! The set includes:

Jewel Nail Decals
Spark My Mistletoe (red glitter pictured on my nails)
Stuck In The Chimney (gorgeous shimmering plum)
Kiss Me At Midnight (deep chocolate with red shimmer)

This is my version of edgy festive party nails - red glitter over a plain black polish. Glitter should stand out on its own. Layering it over black is the perfect way for a glitter polish to stand out. I generally don't like plain black nails but a glittery polish brightens it up.

The black polish is from Barry M. Cosmetics, a popular cosmetic line from the U.K. It's the first product I've ever tried from the line and I have to say I am impressed with how opaque and non-streaky their polishes apply. It's only my first day wearing it so I'm not sure how long it will stay chip-free but there will be more reviews to come. The line is not available in Canada but if you want to see Barry M. in Canada join the Facebook page here.

What do you think of my festive party nails? Too edgy or goth for a nice Christmas dinner?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Side-Pinned Wavy Hair

Photo Credit: InStyle.com

Nothing says party hair then a head of beautiful wavy curls. This is one look I do often when I'm stepping out to a special event.

You'll want to start with lots of volume in the hair. The key to making this hair less cute and more Victoria Secret-esque is to do big curls. Apply a volumizing spray or mousse to the root of the hair and blow dry the root up if styling from wet. You can use your hands to direct the hair up. Once the hair is completely dry, wrap 1 inch sections of your hair around a big barrel curling iron. Always curl your hair away from the face unless you're going for Old Hollywood. Curling away from the face makes it look more modern and up-to-date. If your hair doesn't hold a curl too well, use a light hold hairspray and spray as you go. If you have straight bangs you'll want to curl your bangs away from your head as well. You want to avoid looking like you have to different hair styles.

If you don't have a big barrel iron, use your small one and at the end brush out your curls to make them look big and bouncy. Once your hair is completely curled, pin one side up. Be creative and add a twist to the hair and secure with a sparkly hair brooch. When you are satisfied with the look, spray all over with an extra hold hair spray.

What's your go-to party hair style?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Silver Smokey Eyes

Photo Credit: marieclaire.com

It's the final countdown! Only 3 more days left until Christmas! I'm hoping by now you have lots of beauty looks to choose from for your big Christmas party. This next look is both edgy and sexy for the holiday season. Take the classic smokey eye and add a metallic finish for a new twist.

Silver smokey eyes look great on just about everyone. This sultry look is actually really easy to do. In the beginning, smokey eyes can be really messy. I like to prep the eyes first and save the foundation for last. Be sure to prep your eyes always with a primer. You don't want your shadow creasing or fading throughout the night. When doing a smokey eye, you want the effect to look like a gradient of colours. Use a flat shadow brush and press on the darkest shade of charcoal grey on the lid. Choose a shadow that has more of a satin finish. You can bring the dark shade into the outer crease as well. Apply a matte medium grey to the crease with a fluffier brush to blend the two shades together. You can also apply the medium grey to the bottom lash line for a smudgy definition. Then apply a white or light beige shade to the brow bone.

To give the smokey eye a metallic finish, apply a silver metallic shadow in the inner corners top and bottom. Add the same shade just to the center of the lid to make the eyes pop. Skip liner on the top and bottom and only line the waterline with a black pencil. Don't forget to apply a few coats of black mascara. Since this is a strong eye, keep the rest of your face more muted. Contour the cheeks with a neutral blush or bronzer and add a nude beige lipstick or gloss to the lips.

What do you think of silver smokey eyes? Do you find a smokey eye hard to do?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Luminous Skin

Photo Source: Unknown

Makeup: Hung Vanngo

This is radiant, glowing skin done right. With the holidays comes drier weather and often times your skin can look like it has been zapped of all its moisture. Adding a gorgeous luminizer in key areas of the face can make all the difference. I think Camilla Belle’s luminous look is perfection. I’ve seen some people that just go overboard with the shimmer and look more sweaty than radiant. If you plan on taking lots of photos during the holidays, an overly shiny face will be very noticeable.

If you have drier skin, you can afford to mix a liquid highlighter with your foundation. Your skin will have an overall dewy effect. If you have oilier skin or aren’t comfortable with too much shimmer, apply a highlighter in key areas of the face where the light hits: brow bone, inner corner of the eyes, high planes of the cheekbones, down the middle of the nose and in the cupid’s bow just above the lip. If you have problematic skin, avoid highlighters all together as it will only accentuate scars and blemishes. If you will be wearing something off-the-shoulder, with a plunging v, or strapless apply a highlighter to your neck and decolletage.

Highlighters come in different formulations: cream, liquid and powders. All work great but I find creams and liquids give the skin a dewier finish. There are even luminizing primers to help enhance your highlighters. For the rest of your makeup, mix shimmery and matte tones on the eyes. The matte shadows will help downplay too much shine on the eyes. If you are going to highlight your cheekbones, avoid using a shimmery blush on the cheeks. The apples of the cheeks are perfect targets for “hot” spots on the face. Finish off your luminous look with a shimmering gloss.

Don’t forget a good facial and rich moisturizer is the base of luminous skin. If you take care of your skin, you will always look healthy and radiant. This is one of the easiest trends to pull of this season so treat your skin to a radiant glow!

What do you think of glowing skin? How do you achieve luminous skin?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Ruby Red Lips!

Photo Source: Style.com

Holiday beauty wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t mention the classic red lip! The colour red is fiery, exciting, and all-around glamorous. It’s such a striking colour you have to be confident to carry it off. You’ll be seeing a lot of Old Hollywood makeup inspirations this season, but there are ways to make it look different and fresh.

I love the above photo because the model’s skin is luminous and her eyes are pretty much bare. The deepness of the red is also stunning against the neutral makeup. This version of wearing red is modern and a little edgy. Mix a luminizing highlighter or serum with your foundation to give your skin a natural glow. Add a wash of silvery-white or champagne gold shadow to the lids. If your eyes need more definition, smudge a black pencil liner to the lash line and apply a few coats of mascara to the lashes. Define the contours of your cheeks with a bronzer or wine coloured blush. Wear a wine-coloured red lipstick as a stain for an effortless finish.

Instead of going with a classic red lipstick, try one that has a shimmery or pearly finish. If you prefer a gloss, look for a red shade in the same finish for a new twist on red lips. Just remember to prep your lips with a primer so that the gloss doesn’t bleed or softly line the lips with a red liner after you’ve applied your gloss. This will give a softer finish.

If you have never tried red lips, the holiday season is the time to try it out! It’s fun, festive, and washes off! ;)

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Jewel-Toned Eyes!

Photo Credit: marieclaire.com

I love the holidays because colours around this time are so rich and decadent. You’ll notice a lot of colours dominating shadow palettes this season are jewel tones in blue, purple, gold, and emerald. If you’re still on the fence about wearing colour on the eyes, just go with it and have fun!

The key to working jewel tones is to stick to a shade that compliments and enhances your eye colour. Once you see how much the complimentary shade brings out your eyes, the less uncomfortable you’ll feel wearing colour on the eyes.

Brown Eyes can pretty much wear any shade. Purple, green, navy blue, and gold all make brown eyes pop.
Green or Hazel Eyes: Plum, peach, purple, gold and bronze hues
Blue Eyes: Brown, peach, bronze, gold, silver, grey, purple, black

Add a darker shade in the outer crease to give it a sexy, smoky effect. For some fun and sparkle, add a glittery liner to the lash line. Don’t forget to add lots of mascara to make those lashes stand out! Keep the cheeks and lips more muted so that the eyes can be the focus.

What do you think of jewel tones on the eyes?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Gimme Big Bold Lashes!

Photo Source: Unknown

Have you ever wondered why women in movies or on TV (some in real life) flutter their eyes to grab the attention of that special someone? The flutter of the lashes are an invitation to her world. Want to be the focus at every holiday gathering? Go big, go bold with your lashes.

If you weren’t born with naturally long and lush lashes, do not fear because the beauty market is saturated with products just for your lashes. Curl them, apply your most volumizing and lengthening mascara, apply some falsies, or look into lash enhancing treatments which I have a hunch will be big in 2011 (wink, LATISSE). Whatever you decide, the goal is to make those peepers pop!

Be daring and make those lashes stand out even more with a glittery mascara. Coloured mascaras are also fun and festive around this time of the year. Cobalt blue and purple mascaras will really enhance the colour of your eyes and make the whites of your eyes brighter.

No matter what the trend of the moment is, big lashes go with everything and never go out of style!

How do you get your lashes to stand out?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Side Bun With Some Holiday Sparkle!

Photo Credit: Glamour.com

Believe it or not, buns are actually very easy to do. Doing a quick bun can help make any outfit look even more glamorous and fun especially when you add a sparkly hair clip. Buns in general are making a comeback so whether you’re doing a classic chignon, ballerina bun, or french twist there are many ways to make it look modern and festive.

Some women hate having their hair pulled back (myself included) which is why a side bun is a great way to show off some hair while keeping it off the face. To keep it from looking too awkward or juvenile, make sure the placement of the bun is pulled slightly to the side and lower on the nape of the neck. Also, if you are wearing something asymmetrical place the bun on the side where your shoulder is bare.

Step 1: If you’re styling your hair after showering, apply a volumizing mousse at the root of the hair. Finger dry your hair until it is bone dry. Flip your hair upside down to dry it faster and to give you extra volume. If you’re styling from dry, spray a volumizing spray at the root or use a dry shampoo. The side bun will look less severe with volume at the top and when it is not pulled so close to the head.

Step 2: Curling your hair will make it easier to style into a bun. Wrap 1 inch sections of your hair around a barrel curling iron. This will create a really pretty “s” wave. Make sure the ends are completely curled and not straight. For a quicker solution, put your hair in hot rollers and take them out when your makeup is done. If you don’t have hot rollers, use regular velcro ones and heat with your blow dryer. Use your cool shot to set the curls.

Step 3: Once your curls are done, gently finger comb through your curls. Start loosely gathering your hair leaving volume at the top and positioning it to the side. Once you are satisfied with the placement, wrap a hair elastic around like you would a regular pony tail. Take a small section underneath the hair and wrap around to hide the elastic. Secure with two bobbi pins.

Step 4: Now it’s time to have fun with your hair. Because your hair is curled, you can roll it anyway you’d like. If you’d like some of the curls to show, pin the majority into a bun leaving some pieces out. If you’d like a more classic round shape, wrap the hair around following in the direction the curl falls. Cross pin until you feel the hair secure. If you like hair around your face, pull a few pieces for a messy, modern feel. Spray with an extra hold hair spray to keep the style secure.

Step 5: Add a fun, sparkly hair clip on the bun, to the side of the bun, or just behind your ear. There are a variety of hair clips to choose fun so go with one that compliments your outfit or your personality!

Would you do this hairstyle?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Purple Nails

Photo Credit: InStyle.com

The holiday season is a fun time for trends so don’t be afraid to try something new. If the idea of colour on your face seems too drastic, why not try colour on your nails? If you’ve done the reds and golds, royal shimmering purples is a fun alternative! There are many purples to choose from this season so you’ll be sure to find one that you’ll love.

If your style is edgy, go for a deep almost black purple. If you love playing with trends, go for purples that look almost grey. If your style is sophisticated and classic, purpley-plums will look beautiful on you!

What do you think of purple nails? What is your go-to holiday polish?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Bright, Pink Lips!

Photo Credit: marieclaire.com

If you’re deciding on a bold lip this season, don’t just reach for the typical red lipstick. Yes, red lips are glamorous and classic, but it’s not the only shade you have to rock for the holidays. If you’ve never considered bright, pink lips for your next Christmas party, do reconsider. This season, say “hi” to Bold Red’s little sister, Bright Pink. It’s a fun, unexpected, more youthful take on a bold lip.

In the past, I would only think of wearing bold pink lips in the Spring and Summer months. I’ve realized bright pink looks amazing all year long. Since you want your lips to be the focus, compliment the pink with a sweep of bronze or gold shadow across the lids. If your eyes need a little extra definition like mine do, apply a liquid liner and wing it out to the side. Apply a couple of coats of black mascara. All you really need on the cheeks is bronzer; sweep the bronzer onto your cheeks, concentrating most of the colour towards the hairline for a natural contour. Dust whatever is remaining on your brush down the bridge of your nose, temples, and chin.

Bold pinks can be quite shocking to someone who isn’t used to wearing colour. To ease into it, try a bright but sheer pink gloss with some shimmer. To keep it long lasting and to prevent the edges from bleeding, use a lip primer and outline the lips with an invisible lip liner. If you love to be the center of attention, go for a full colour lipstick or gloss. If you’d like a more polished and precise looking lip, outline the lips with a lip liner first in a similar shade. Then apply your lip colour with a lip brush. For something less polished and no-fuss, skip the lip liner. Prep lips with a lip primer then press a pink lipstick into your lips with your ringer finger. Smooth out the outline of the lips so that there are no visible lines.

When you’re thinking of a holiday pink, forget candy or baby pinks. Think bright fuchsia, berry, and magenta. Don’t be afraid of shimmery textures either. Whatever event you’ll be attending, you’ll be sure to stand out in the sea of red lips!

What do you think of the bold pink lip trend for the holidays?

12 Days of Holiday Beauty: Shimmer & Shine!

Christmas is less than a month today! Let the mad dash begin! I’ve never been good at planning ahead and I’m sure with all the holiday shopping, holiday parties, planning a big festive dinner, looking good is probably the last thing on your to-do this season.

Thanks to PTPA Social Media mom, Heather, who has inspired me to do 12 days of holiday beauty! Look holiday ready and ultra glam while you’re mashing those potatoes.

“On the first day of Christmas my true love said to me…Wear lots of sparkle!” Nothing says holiday beauty than lots of shimmer and shine . Obviously this photo is an extreme version but you get the idea.

There are so many products out right now to give your eyes a little dazzle. Do a sweep of a shimmery shadow across the lid in silver, white, gold or champagne. Big, gorgeous lashes will help those peepers pop even more. For some extra glamour, swipe on a black liquid liner and wing out for a dramatic effect. If you’re using a loose shimmer powder, always make sure your eyes are prepped with a primer. Apply a cream shadow first all over the lid so the loose shadow has something to adhere to. This will keep your shimmer shadow from creasing and fading throughout those holiday cocktails.

If shimmer all over the lid is too much for you, opt for a beautiful eye pencil with a metallic or glitter finish. There are so many great shades to choose from right now. For a dash of colour that isn’t over-the-top, try a glitter pencil in the some of the season’s hottest shades: emerald, purple, and blue!

To keep a soft shimmery shadow radiant and fresh, apply a rosy pink blush for a healthy glow. Add a shimmer highlight to the cheekbones. To avoid looking like you belong on a Christmas tree, go for a creamy or matte texture on the lips in rosy pink or red tone.

One look down and 11 more to go! Do you love shimmer and sparkle?