Featured photo courtesy of Mary Bove Photography
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for beauty.
There’s something about the holidays and its parties, events and get-togethers that allow you to take your look to the next level. From a bright, bold lip to full-body shimmer, this season is the time to kick your beauty up a notch.
I put together a list of a few products that will complete your holiday look. You can wear them all at once or pick your favorites. You also can substitute in the products you already own that achieve the same effect. The season can be stressful, but your look should be fun.
Haus Laboratories Glam Attack Liquid Shimmer Powder in Aphrodite
The liquid-to-powder eyeshadow by Lady Gaga’s beauty brand delivers the most gorgeous color payoff and out-of-this-world shimmer in one swipe. The shade — a champagne with multi-color pearl — is fit for a goddess. It’s buildable and, after application, can be buffed out with a brush for a wash of color or swiped with your finger to activate the sparkle. Make sure to shake it up well to mix the shimmer and pigment.
I love it on my eyes, but it’s an all-over product, so you also can use it as a highlighter or on lips. hauslabs.com; $20.
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Afternoon Snack/Mo’ Hunny
This buttery highlighter will make you glow. The formula is creamy, dreamy and blendable for the perfect swipe of shine. I love these highlighter duos from Rihanna’s brand because one side is a muted, light-from-within shade (Afternoon Snack, a soft bronzed champagne) while the other is a see-you-from-space kind of vibe (Mo’ Hunny, a supercharged, bronzed, champagne shimmer). Apply to the high points of your face (cheekbones, browbones, the tip of your nose and cupid’s bow) or to your collarbone and the tops of your shoulders. Use a fluffy brush to produce a diffused, glowy finish or a dense brush for foiled look. fentybeauty.com; $36.
Glossier Play Vinylic Lip in Baby
How can you do the holidays without a red lip? Turn the classic look of the season on its head with a gloss.Glossier Play is a collection of dialed-up beauty extras, very different from the “your skin but better” ethos of its parent brand. This pigmented gloss fits right in with Glossier Play’s mission, complete with smooth, never-sticky shine in the most perfect shade of candy apple red. Glosses tend not to last as long as a liquid lipstick, so throw this in your purse to bring with you. Its adorable packaging and fun click-top mechanism make it chic to re-apply. Click once for a sheer tint or two to three times for a lacquered look. glossier.com/play; $16.
Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Oil in A Dream
I believe sparkles can be worn year-round but, at holiday time, they’re more than acceptable. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta created these creamy, shimmery body oils — which also are filled with sparkles — to add to his clients’ décolletés, arms and legs for the final touch of their looks. Its fragrance — made up of light notes of jasmine, saffron and ambergris — is intoxicating. Spray on this champagne-tinted shade for a moisturized, illuminated and warm glow all over. You don’t have to rub it in but, if you want to, don’t use your hands, as the glitter will stick to them. Use a big, fluffy brush to buff the product into your skin. patrickta.com; $52.
Qveen Lashes in 212
Nothing like a good ol’ false lash to take things over the top. This indie beauty brand’s lashes each have their own characteristics, from playful to sexy to fierce. The high-drama, mega volume 212 style is by far my favorite with a nice, thick band perfect for false lash beginners. Bend the lashes back and forth before application to loosen them up and, if necessary, trim to fit your eyes. Apply glue to the lash strip and allow it to get tacky for at least 90 seconds before applying. Remove gently and store in a safe place to re-use. qveenstudio.com; $12.
IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm
Lush, bouncy hair completes any holiday look, but harsh winter air and forced, dry heat indoors can do serious damage to your locks.
Made with coconut and argan oils as well as shea butter, this leave-in conditioning balm nourishes hair and delivers rich moisture. The creamy texture melts into hair and is great for any hair type.
Apply a nickle-sized amount to wet or dry hair from mid-length to ends to help support hydration and reduce frizz. Add in more in needed.
I personally love this product because, unlike many of its kind, it gives much-needed moisture without weighing down my fine hair. It also smells amazing thanks to a sexy, playful mix of guava, coconut water, pink lotus, midnight violet and vanilla. igkhair.com; $29.
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT