Tis’ the season to get festive and glamorous for those endless holiday soirees! But, when juggling two or three parties a week, it can be tough to keep up with a fresh and festive beauty routine. “This is the time of year when everything has that extra finishing touch, hair, makeup — the whole ensemble,” says William Hall, a recent graduate of Empire Beauty Schools, the largest chain of beauty schools in the country. “Makeup and hair should change depending on the formality of the event, but here are a few goods things to keep in mind when heading out on the party scene…”

• Keep your hair out of your face. Cameras are flashing constantly and people want to see your pretty face!
• If you have long hair, simple up-do’s are a no-brainer. Add a touch of bouffant glam by backcombing the crown of the head before pulling hair into a pretty, flirty pony, or into a “Sarah Palin” like French twist. It sounds funny, but it’s a great look that will always be around.
• If your hair is short, keep it slick and away from the face. If you don’t normally use a styling product, try one. You can transform your short work-day-do into a glamorous look with just a little bit of mousse.
• Don’t wait until the last minute! Make sure to plan ahead, especially if you are hosting an event. Most women are frazzled by the day of the actual event and don’t know what to wear, or how to wear their hair! Look up ideas online or in magazines a few days before.
• If your outfit is full of sparkles, sequin and is fire engine red – opt for a softer makeup look. Fresh skin, a soft pink lip and luxurious thick black lashes are a great compliment. If your outfit is more subdued or chic (think LBD!) then wow everyone with a smokey eye, or a deep red lip, but never both at the same time!
• This season hair accessories are the perfect way to add that extra pizzazz. Use a sparkly headband or jeweled hair pin to secure wispy flyaways. You can even create your own band with a pretty ribbon and bejeweled brooch!
• Always keep bobby pins, a red lipstick or pretty clips in your purse. When you get invited to a last minute party, you will have everything you need to get party ready, but quick! Adding something unexpected doesn’t take a lot of talent or time but always looks special.

Thanks Erin D.

“I’ve picked up a few things along the way,” says Leona Lewis (and no wonder – the hair guy at Glamour’s shoot, Sam Knight, had done Kate Moss the day before).

Lewis’ favorite tips!

1. “I used to use bronzer everywhere.  But you’re not supposed to do that!  Brush it along your temples and under your cheekbones, places that give you that sun-kissed glow!”

2.  “Put mascara on with a jaggedy motion; it separates your lashes.”

3.  “Moisturize your hair.  I do a treatment once a week, usually Kiehl’s olive oil conditioner.”

4.  Test lipstick on the palm of your hand rather than the back; your palm is closer to your face’s skin tone.”

Glamour Magazine

Try it at home!  Pick up Leona’s favorite conditioner, Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner!

• With Avocado Oil, Lemon Extract, and Olive Fruit Oil
• For dehydrated, damaged hair
• Inspired by traditional home recipes
• Helps rebuild hair’s strength and elasticity
• Not tested on animals

Formulated for dehydrated, under-nourished, and damaged hair, this lightweight, easily-rinsed conditioner deeply moisturizes and restores a healthy look to hair. Utilizing the latest in haircare science, our formula contains molecules which mimic natural oils that coat healthy hair. We blended enriching Avocado Oil, Lemon Extract, and Olive Fruit Oil–inspired by traditional home recipes–to help rebuild hair’s strength and elasticity, and lock in moisture. Gentle, yet luxurious, our formula detangles hair, leaving it silky-smooth and shiny without weighing hair down. Ideal for hair weakened by overexposure to sun, chemical-processing, or excessive heat styling.

BUY IT HERE!

The innovative tool works in association with Clinique, to provide the latest makeup and hairstyle ideas. By uploading your photo, you can click through a range of styles for the eyes, face, lips, hair and even nails, testing them out to see if they suit you. If you like what you see, you then have the option to ‘buy’ the particular item of make-up from Clinique. It is a really fun and creative tool!

This is actually a really cool tool, probably the best one I’ve seen of it’s kind.  I just did it myself – and I spent about 30 minutes trying out different hair color, different lipsticks and eyeshadows.  It’s amazing how the can do this!

I’m not going to lie…I had tons of fun with this.  I just snapped a picture of myself sitting at my desk.  I uploaded it, and in minutes – I was changing my makeup and hair!  It’s pretty entertaining… and I’m thinking maybe I should get bangs again! 

Bored?  Give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!!

GO HERE!

Here is the picture I used for my makeover (don’t mind the line on my nose from my glasses!):

Here are the after pictures!  I was totally cracking myself up…

Deep, dark lips and dramatically lined eyes are the signature makeup moves of the season, and no one does them better than makeup artist Tyron Machusen. “Layer on dark liner and then red, eggplant, or berry-toned lipstick and gently blend it out to soften the edge for this glamorous look,” says Machusen.

This look is cat-eye gone glam and it starts with a layer of beige cream liner, blended on the entire lid. For the winged effect, swipe black liner from the inner corner of the eye (on the upper and lower lids), right against the lashline, to the outer corner and then angle it up and out. Add two coats of black mascara to intensify the look, and keep brows in check with clear brow gel.

To create the look try:

new Benefit Cosmetics Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner Honey Bunny, $19

Sephora Brand Long Lasting Eye Liner Black, $10

new . only at sephora Too Faced Lash Injection Pin Point Black, $19.50

Anastasia Brow Gel Clear, $21

Load up on a dark shade of lipstick (or gloss) and then dab it onto the lips with your fingers or a lip brush to create a deep, stained effect that lasts all day.

To create this look try:

new Urban Decay Lipstick Apocalypse, $22

new . only at sephora . limited edition Smashbox Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss Sultry, $18

The usually bubbly Jessica Simpson channels a young Grace Kelly in this look. Here she shows us that, with the right makeup and hair, it is possible to mirror the archetype of consummate sophistication. (Her remarkably creamy skin helps.) Quiet elegance is set off by flirty lashes and subtle pink hues. Pivotal to the overall appearance are well-applied and delicately shaped false lashes. To capture Jessica’s graceful look, follow these steps:

Step 1 Start by applying the lashes because they’re the most intricate part of this makeup application and you need focus and energy to apply them. Remember: In order for false lashes to adhere, the eyelids and upper lash line must be clean and dry, so make sure there’s no oily residue surrounding the eyes. Apply your “falsies” following the natural curve of your lash line.

Step 2 After your lashes are in place, you’ll want to apply a bit of black-brown mascara to your natural lashes. The mascara will act as an extra adherent, allowing your natural lashes blend with the false ones. Do this by carefully combing mascara from the underside of your upper lash line; wait a few seconds and repeat.

Step 3 Next, you’ll use a black-brown eyeliner pencil to fill in the area just along, and on the insides of, your lower lash line.

Step 4 Brush through your brows so they’re smooth and even, and fill in just a tad with brow powder to accentuate your arch.

Step 5 Next, apply a creamy foundation and blend evenly and smoothly. To diffuse the overly pigmented look of foundation, blend in a bit of oil-free moisturizer with it in your hand before applying it to your face.

Step 6 Apply a cream blush to the apples of the cheeks with your fingers in small circular motions.

Step 7 Use a brush to apply a baby pink lipstick to the lips for even coverage.

Step 8 Intensify your pink mouth by encircling your lips with a nude-pink lip pencil. Then use your lip brush to blend the perimeters of the pencil into your lips so there is no discernable line.

Recommended Products

Product Name: Shu Uemura False Lashes in 01
These lashes will give you that eye emphasis without going over the top. They are fashioned with a few thick strands for drama.
Price: $12
Available: ShuUemura.com

Product Name: DuWop Blush Therapy in Elixir
This natural-looking velvety pink cream blush imparts an instant cooling sensation to the skin as it calms the senses with a soothing blend of essential oils.
Price: $22
Available: Sephora.com

Product Name: Paul & Joe Lipstick in Pain D’Epice 27
This rich beige-pink lipstick contains chamomile, marigold and white-lily extracts to keep lips soft and moisturized.
Price: $18
Available: Sephora.com

Product Name: Dianne Brill’s Lip Lingerie Lip Liner in Demi Cup
A clear pink just natural enough to enhance the lips’ perimeters without appearing conspicuous.
Price: $19
Available: Beauty.com

Product Name: Rimmel Volum’ Eyes 5X Volume Mascara
I love Rimmel’s comb-through applicator, which allows lashes to become lengthier without clumping.
Price: $7
Available: Drugstores nationwide

Product Name: Paula Dorf Brow Stencil Kit
A neat little stencil box of brow shapes from super-fine to full, so you can create the perfect brow!
Price: $25
Available: Sephora.com

Product Name: Make Up For Ever Pan Stick
You can blend this creamy foundation onto the skin with a moist sponge, or for a heavier coverage, use directly on the skin with fingers ‑- it’s also an excellent concealer.
Price: $30
Available: Sephora.com

Pics: Jessica Simpson – Glamour Russia August 2008

Want gorgeous har like Sarah Michelle Gellar? 

1. CREATE LASTING VOLUME:  Start by applying a volumizer to damp hair – a hydrating mousse if it’s dry or a root-lifting spray if it’s fine.  Then blow hair away from direction it will fall.  Once dry, use a flexible hairspray underneath sections and apply heat at roots.
2. MAKE HAIR SUPER SHINY: Product residue can leave hair matte.  Remove buildup with a weekly clarifying shampoo and rinse, rinse, rinse! A final blast of cold water will help seal the cuticle and add extra luster.
3. CAMOUFLAGE SPLIT ENDS:  There’s no substitute for a trim, but you can conceal frayed ends.  Start with a serum.  The silicone keeps cuticles down, so they aren’t as noticeable.  Then seal the cuticle with the heat of a curling iron as you curl ends under.

There’s nothing glamorous about a greasy complextion.  Avoid an oil spill with these face savers! 

TREAT IT! Take a proactive stance by adding an oil absorber to your routine.

Try T-zone targeting astringent like Origins, Zero Oil Instant MAtte Finish for Shiny Places.

When everyday hassles like heat, humidity, or stress send already overzealous oil glands into overdrive, skin faces a surplus of shine, looks dingy, feels totally tacky. Breakouts are apt to blossom. Nature’s master-mattifiers, including oil-foiling Silicates, astringent Winterbloom, plus calming Chinese Camphor, instantly zero in skin-spoiling oil and blot up greasy shine without overdrying. Creates a smooth, invisible finish that stays matte all day. There are no streaks on cheeks. And forehead, chin and nose show positively no glow.

HOW TO USE: Shake well. Apply under or over makeup.

$11.00 – BUY IT HERE!

CONCEAL IT! Don’t let shine spoil your day.  Stay on top of it with a mattifying touch up!

Try skin-calming absorbent loose powder like Jurlique’s Citrus Finishing Powder!

A silky translucent facial powder that refines the complexion and helps absorb excess facial oil to reduce shine. Leaves the skin fresh and radiant. Ideal for rebalancing oiliness.

$36.00 – BUY IT HERE!

BONUS: Expert Tips!

• Do opt for powder blush and foundation instead of liquids or creams.
• Don’t use a heavy moisturizer with shea or silicone, says dermatologist Fredric Brandt.  Gel-based formulas are best.
• Do prevent shine by washing with a salicylic acid-based cleanser and using an astringent.