Holiday season is here with all of its wonderful reasons to be excited. In addition to the season’s delightful confections, fun gift exchanges, and festive parties galore, we can also look forward to holiday makeup. The holiday season gives us the perfect excuse to glam things up and take beauty risks we wouldn’t normally — because if people can host tacky Christmas sweater parties, surely we can play around a bit with glitter, right? ‘Tis the season to turn up the sparkle – with these cruelty-free makeup essentials.
Alima Pure Pressed Eye Shadow in Luxe
How to wear it: Copper lids
This no-fail party shadow is flattering for all eye colours, and it makes a pretty statement without being too bold (hint: it’s great for an office holiday party). Simply prime the eyelid with eyeshadow primer or concealer, and apply a wash Alima Pure’s shimmery copper to the upper eyelid, blending it into the crease for a soft, diffused look. Follow with eyeliner (optional) and two coats of your favorite mascara.
Lily Lolo Pedal to the Metal Eye Palette
How to wear it: Metallic smoky eyes
If you’re looking to take your eyes up a notch, go for a smoky, metallic look. This look has all of the smoldering sexiness of a matte smoky eye, and the metallic element adds a hint of festive glamour. Use the darkest shade of your metallic palette along the lash line (upper and lower). Next, apply a medium shade to your moving eyelid. Highlight the brownbone with the lightest shade in the palette. Blend well. Follow with smudged eyeliner and two coats of a volumising mascara.
Eye of Hours Liquid Define Black Eyeliner
How to wear it: Classic cat eyes
Winged eyeliner may take a bit of practice, but it’s not as hard as it might seem. To keep a steady hand when applying liquid eyeliner, rest your elbow on the counter. Create a dot where you want the point of your winged liner to end. Next, draw a line along your lash line (as you normally do with liner).
Draw a triangle by extending two lines from the dot—connect one line to the end of your lash line (imagine extending your lower lash line to the dot); connect the second line to a point a few millimeters closer to the center of your eye. Fill in the trianlge, and voilá – perfect winged liner. You’re welcome.
100% Pure Cocoa Butter Semi-Matte Lipstick: Aubergine
How to wear it: Berry lips
Berry lips coupled with lightly rouged cheeks lend a lovely just-in-from-the-cold look. To achieve this romantic, holiday-appropriate look, simply select a berry shade in a lip product formula of your choosing (gloss, stain, lipstick, etc.).
Modern Minerals Modern Moonstone Highlighter
How to wear it: All Over Glow
This contemporary look has yoga retreat and juice cleanse written all over it – it makes healthy skin look even more radiant. There are several ways to achieve the look: you can mix a drop of liquid highlight with your regular foundation, or you can apply your foundation as usual and follow with a light dusting of highlighting powder. Either way, you will glow all over.
Jane Iredale PurePressed Eyeshadow in Allure
How to wear it: A touch of shimmer
This look requires highlighter or shimmery eyeshadow to be placed more strategically, but it still packs a glamorous effect. Using a highlighter or shimmery eyeshadow, apply a dab of glow to your cupid’s bow, the inner corners of your eyes, and along your cheekbones. For a holiday-inspired look, make sure your highlight has a touch of gold.
Try it: Make Up For Ever Cosmetic-Grade Glitter—N34 Red
How to wear it: Statement glitter lips
This season, go fearless with your statement makeup and try adding red glitter to your lipstick. Begin by applying two even coats of your favorite red lip colour. Using your finger or a small, synthetic brush, apply loose, cosmetic-grade red glitter to your lips. For a more subtle (but still pretty intense) look, replace the glitter with a red, metallic eyeshadow.
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Header photo by Alia Wilhelm via Unsplash
