When your social calendar is jam-packed week after week with holiday parties and seasonal events, you know it’s time to officially add some drama to your standard makeup routine. Amping up the festive drama sounds fairly simple, but there are some hard fast do’s and don’ts you’ll want to keep in mind for your beauty looks this holiday season. It’s easy to get swept up in the infectious glitz and glam of holiday cheer and go overboard, but you don’t want to end up on the beauty naughty list! Read on to find out what tricks to try for a picture perfect look, and how to avoid making a festive faux pas to ensure you’re the hit of the holidays.

Do: Experiment with festive razzle-dazzle.

Don’t: Go overboard! When it comes to sparkle, a little goes a very long way. It’s important to pay attention to product descriptions, like “glitter” versus “shimmer.” It might sound silly but there is a world of difference. For an enticing peek-a-boo of glam when you bat your eyes, try a sassy swipe of bold shimmer eyeliner or a scintillating dusting of golden highlighter on your cheekbones, collarbones, or brow bone to give your makeup a festive feel. If you really aren’t a glitzy gal, try a subtle glitter or metallic nail polish instead.

Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in Glitter Purple
OPI Liquid Sand Nail Polish in “Silent Stars Go By”
Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter

Do: Bold lips. Nothing feels more holiday than a vibrant red lip. For shy girls or newbies, a lip stain is a great way to achieve a pop of color that stays vibrant all night, even if you’ve spent half of the office holiday party underneath the mistletoe. Do avoid messy glosses that you’ll have to constantly reapply or worry about smudging on your teeth.

Don’t: Pair loud lips with dramatic eyes. The key to looking holiday chic is to choose one feature to play up and tone down others. Don’t be afraid to mix it up either. Everyone will be doing the red lip around the holidays, but don’t get stuck in a red lip rut! Jewel tones like deep berries and plums make a great holiday lip as well.

Benefit BeneTint
Deborah Lippmann in “Bite Me”
AERIN Beauty Limited Edition Lipstick in “Mercer”
NARS in “Heat Wave”

Do: Have fun with false eyelashes. Trust me, I know how intimidating and foreign they can seem, but if you can’t bust out the falsies for New Year’s Eve, when can you get away with it? If a big, thick line of lashes seems too cumbersome, cut the strip into three separate pieces and apply each section individually. Finish with a coat of your favorite mascara to serve as a bonding agent. From glam rhinestones and flirty feathers to subtle fringe and special effects, there are countless styles of false lashes for every personality.

Don’t: Forget to practice. Don’t wait until the eleventh hour when you’re already running late to slap on some lashes. Rehearse applying them a few times before the day of the event by watching various tutorials online. Also, be sure you don’t overuse glue or you’ll wind up with goopy spider web lashes.

Sonia Kashuk Full Glam Eyelashes
Illamasqua False Eyelashes

Do: Add a little bronzed goodness to your sun-starved skin.

Don’t: Forget to exfoliate and moisturize. We all know dry indoor heat is harsh on our skin, and we know that artificial tanning products look blotchy and sallow on dry flaky complexions. Try a sugar scrub or loofah and switch to a heavier cream formula for your body lotion. Moisturize your face, body and hands every day. And DON’T fake bake!

Bliss Hot Salt Scrub
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter
TanTowel To Go Classic Self-Tanning Towelettes

~ Written by: Genevieve LeFranc