8 Beauty and Style Holiday Favorites

These 8 beauty and style holiday favorites are the perfect essentials for parties, events, dinners, and gift exchanges!  Every one of these items will bring a gleaming sparkle or sense of sophistication to your holiday festivities.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

This beautiful palette is made up of a mix of 15 matte and jewel tones, each one designed by Gwen Stefani herself and guaranteed to spice up any holiday makeup look.  The texture and pigmentation is stunning and so long lasting you will not have to worry about creasing or fallout during your holiday blitz of food and gifts.  My absolutely favorite shades has to be Pop, a pale coral with iridescent sparkle, which I will be applying to my lid this Christmas Eve as part of a shimmery pink and mauve cut crease.

Huda Beauty Classic Fall Lashes

   Huda Beauty lashes are stunning.  They are lightweight, reusable, vegan, and cruelty-free, and come in a variety of styles guaranteed to fit and makeup look or occasion.  My favorites are Giselle, Samantha and Sasha, which are all low-to-medium volume and more natural than dramatic.  I will be wearing Giselle this holiday season to create a natural look that is subtle while still remaining beautiful.  I have been a Huda Beauty fan for a long time, and these lashes remain a staple in my makeup routine!

Kate Spade Lily Avenue Wallet

  Have a holiday party or even to go to, but don't want to lug around your heavy everyday tote?  Kate Spade's Lily Avenue Wallet is the perfect accessory for all the essentials.  I can fit my iPhone, lipstick, ID, and cards easily, with room to spare for a few tampons if the time calls for it.  This wallet comes in the colors Ballet Slipper, Black and Cherry.  Ballet Slipper, a soft pink, is my favorite, and the scalloped snap-flip closure is elegant and sophisticated, while still remaining girly and cute.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita

The reason this is one of my go-to lipsticks for parties or events is because of its great coverage and ability to last.  The texture is rich and feels like satin upon the lips.  My favorite shade, Anita, is a gorgeous petal pink, which gives my lips a subtle tone without being too dramatic.

Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Polish in Ruby Red Slippers

When I found this perfect shade of shimmery Christmas red, I had to stop in Sephora for a moment of silence and appreciation.  Honestly, you cannot get more festive than this.  These are long lasting, glittery, and comes in a show-stopping red.  If this is too much glitter for you (but honestly how could there be such a thing?) use this as an accent color on either your ring or index fingers, and paint the rest a bright red.

Kate Spade Small Square Stud Earrings in Rose Gold Glitter

In addition to purses and wallets, Kate Spades makes the most beautiful jewelry that is affordable, sophisticated, elegant, and effortlessly girly.  At only $38 these bazel-set faceted stones feel like a steal.  The glitter is subtle but always catches the light just right.

Kate Spade Metro Scallopped Leather Watch

 I know what you're thinking: Kate Spade, again?  Hell yes, Kate Spade.  This watch gives me life.  It is scalloped (to match the wallet), stylish and comfortable.  The face and color combination is stunning and classicly elegant.

Diorshow Mascara

This is my favorite mascara for wearing beneath a full set of false lashes.  It is voluminous, lengthening, and comes in a very deep jet black.  The brush is thick and lashes turn out lush and full.  This is also my go-to mascara when I want a dark eye look without false lashes.

 

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My 6 Favorite Holiday Inspired Makeup Tutorials

 

With Christmas almost a week away and holiday parties in full gear, it's time to start thinking about your holiday makeup looks!

Here are SIX of my favorite holiday makeup tutorials this year.  They range from bright and glittery to deep and smokey, and are guaranteed to fit anyone for any occasion!

Click the title of each makeup look to be taken to the full tutorial.  Enjoy!

Champagne Gold

Can you tell I am already excited about the holidays?  Plummy lipstick?  Check.  Silver eyes?  Check.  Pearl and gold jewelry?  Double check.  There is nothing I love more than looking festive, but this look can also be easily worn throughout the year.

This tutorial is currently being featured on the homepage of one of my favorite female blogging sites BlogHer, check it out here!

Classic Holiday Vintage Makeup Tutorial

This makeup tutorial uses vintage charm to create a classic, elegant and wearable makeup look.  The simple black cat eye liner and a light eye contour allows the red lip to POP.  I paired this look with a stunning emerald green blouse and round pearl and diamond earrings.  Throw on a pair of dark skinny jeans, grab a pair of nude pumps, and you've got yourself a casual chic holiday look!

Smokey Cranberry Gold

This smokey cranberry gold makeup look will inspire you throughout the holiday season.  This warm tone look has just enough shimmer and just enough smokiness that will make getting ready for a holiday dinner (and the inevitable food coma to follow) something to feel good about.

Black and Gold Glam Smokey Cat Eye

This black and gold smokey cat eye has been one of my favorite Fall looks that I have created.  This look is dark, smokey, and alluring.

Tiffany and Co. Holidays

Next to nothing is more representative of love and the holidays like Tiffany & Co.  Likewise, nothing better represents Tiffany's that it's iconic blue green boxes.  I wanted to create a look that capured that beautful color along with the shimmery Diamond embellishes that the store is so well known for.

Holiday Vintage Glam

For this holiday vintage glam look I can envision myself on a Christmas Eve circa 1945 with my hair tied up in a bun, an apron around my waist, and taking freshly made Italian cookies out of the oven.

 

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5 Long-Lasting Beauty Essentials To Get You Through The Holidays

The holidays, no matter which one you are celebrating, can be a multi-day marathon of cooking, eating, drinking and socializing.  Whether you are hostess or guest, you're going to need a makeup strategy that is long-lasting while still fabulous for those inevitable awkward family photos.

Beauty Essential #1: Primer For Those Pores

A good primer is absolutely necessary to keeping your face looking matte and pore less through the holidays.  It will help your makeup wear longer and erase any fine lines and pores.  Always do your research and find a primer that is suitable for your skin type.  My favorite for long-lasting wear has been Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer, which helps to balance the skin's texture and tone.  

Beauty Essential #2: Foundation That Stays

You need to count on your foundation lasting all day when it comes to the holidays, but want something lightweight on your face that still covers what it needs to.  One of my favorite drugstore foundations is Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation in Soft Tan.  It's affordable, medium to full coverage, that applies like a high end brand.

Beauty Essential #3: No-Fuss Lip Stain

You want to spend time with family and friends on the holidays, not spend time reapplying your lipstick.  I recommend a lip stain for it's pigmentation without the fuss and ability to last through dinner.  My personal favorite is Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Lip Stain and Shine based on the fact that it is made for long wear and hydration, and is very pigmented on the lips.

Beauty Essential #4: Powder To Set Your Hard Work

Set, Set, SET!  If you want your makeup to last all day without sliding down your face, make sure to set everything with a powder.  My all time favorite setting powder is the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.  I apply this with a setting brush everywhere I place concealer, including beneath my eyes, my forehead, my chin, and the bridge of my nose.  A great affordable alternative is the NYX HD Finishing Powder in Banana. 

Beauty Essential #5: Setting Spray To Finish The Job

A few squirts of a good setting spray is a quick and easy way to ensure that your makeup will stay for the entire day.   It helps prevent melting, cracking and fading, and ensures your makeup doesn't seep into fine lines or pores.  The Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray does just that: sets your makeup for hours.  Standing over a hot oven or sitting in an over crowded family room?  This baby will keep your face looking fresh and oil free.  A great affordable alternative (and one of my recent favorites) is the Mario Badescu Facial Setting Spray.

 

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November Loves and Favorites

Starbucks Red Holiday Cup

Starbucks: your winter specialty drinks have stolen my heart once again.  The Skinny Peppermint Mocha is my absolute favorite, but I have been changing it up every now and then with the Holiday Spice Flat White.  The Peppermint Mocha is perfect for when I am craving something super sweet and chocolate, and the Flat White for when I am in need of something soothing.  The Holiday Spice Flat White is basically Christmas in a cup.  I have yet to try the Gingerbread or Chestnut Praline, but it is only a matter of time.

BH Cosmetics Long Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick

When I received an email a few weeks ago that BH Cosmetics had just released these, I knew I had to try them.  I purchased Muse, a nude pink grey-beige, and Endora, a bright pink.  The formula isn't over-drying on my lips, but I always make sure to exfoliate and moisturize before applying any kind of liquid lipstick.  The texture is similar to Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and the colors are similar to Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick.  I plan on ordering many more when colors come back in stock.

Honeywell Console Humidifier

You may be thinking: what the hell is a humidifier doing on a beauty favorites list?  I have been waking up every morning this fall and winter struggling to breathe through a stuffy nose, and when my nose is stuffy is stays that way all day long, which means I am constantly using tissues and ruining my makeup.  No bueno.  At first I was stunned by the size of this particular humidifier, as don't have a lot of space to work with at the moment.  But the performance and efficiency of this humidifier quickly outweighed this slight inconvenience.  I actually like the size of it now because it holds a lot of water and I do not have to worry about refilling it for a few days at a time.  My bedroom air is more comfortable at night, allowing me to breathe easier, and the makeup I put on my nose in the morning will continue to stay on my face **double thumbs up.***

 

The Time Chamber by Daria Song

The sequel to The Time Garden, a beautifully designed magical story and adult coloring book, The Time Chamber is another outstanding work of ink art by Daria Song. 

The red haired fairy returns again in this book, but this time it is the fairy that is visiting the little girl's land.  Feeling restless, the fairy desires to explore outside her beautiful time garden inside the clock.  The fairy packs beautiful treasures to bring the little girl each time she visits her.  As she explores, the entire world feels enormous in size to the tiny fair, and everything is new and beautiful.

The designs that fill this book illustrate the magical and charming objects the tiny fairy finds so beautiful: tea kettles, dining ware, silver ware, powder boxes, spools of yarn, and more.  The intricate details featured on each page will leave you mesmerized and captivated with the story and it's beauty.

Luxe Beauty Brows Eyebrow Growth Serum*

My brows have consistently remained sparse, thin, and difficult to grow for years now.  A constant reminder of the over-plucking and torture I put them through during middle school and high school.  I was really excited to try out this eyebrow growth serum when Luxe Beauty sent it to me for review because I have never used any type of hair growth serum before (although I have always wanted to try an eyelash serum).  I apply this to my brows every morning before makeup and again every night after I remove my makeup.  After a few weeks I actually have seen a great difference in the growth of my eyebrows.  While they haven't grown in any thicker, they are actually growing, which is an awesome improvement!

 

Where's Karl by Stacey Caldwell

This book illustrates in beautiful detail a "fashion-forward parody" from cover to cover.  Cleverly designed and gorgeously illustrated, the artwork brings to life some of the best known names in the fashion industry.  We follow quirky and interesting characters around the world, to cities like Dubai and New York, and to fashion week in all of the most fabulous locales.

In your search for Karl you will also find a sea of different celebrity, lifestyle and fashion personalities.  Despite the book's title and main character (Karl), the real hilarity lies within the overall portrayal of the fashion industry.  You see Grace Coddington, Naiomi Campbell, Giselle Bunchen, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Anna Wintour, Alexa Chung, Bill Cunningham; the character legend is intense and wonderfully amusing.

This book makes an excellent gift to any style lover in your life or a great addition to your coffee table books.  A must buy for anyone who follows the fashion industry.

 

Micro Pedi Electric Callus Remover*

I had been debating about getting one of these electric pedi devices for months (because what woman doesn't need smoother feet?) when I was sent this from Care Me to review.  This thing works miracles on my feet, no lie.  The pumice roller is gentle but powerful, and much more effective than the Ped Egg that I have been using for years.  I like the fact that is is not battery powered and actually comes with a charger.  You can detach the roller head and hand wash it to clean.  Honestly, I've never seen or felt my feet so smooth and soft before.  This will definitely save me some money from getting pedicures at the spa.

 

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