Tips To Make Your Holiday Look Sizzle!

Gail Scott: Beauty & Fashion Kuel Category Expert

Whether you are attending big parties or small family events, everyone wants to look a little festive during the holidays.

Midlife women are no exception. But, we often think the only option is adding red lipstick, and that’s just not true! Let’s explore your options for adding a little HOLIDAY SIZZLE.

“Red is known to be difficult to wear, but it can also be a bright addition to your holiday look when done right.”

Let’s go ahead and discuss that RED LIPSTICK. Even though it isn’t the only option for a holiday look, it is the go-to for many women. Red is known to be difficult to wear, but it can also be a bright addition to your holiday look when done right.

Tips For Wearing Red Lipstick:

• Know your skin tone. That will determine which reds will work best for you.
• As a general rule, warm shades (those with an orange undertone) look best on warmer skin tones, and cool shades (those with a blue undertone) look best on cooler skin tones. But if you are close to the neutral zone, you can probably wear either.
• Pay attention to the depth of the shade. The super dark and deeply pigmented shades can bring down your look, rather than adding a bright element. The dark cool tones can also make undereye darkness and skin imperfections more noticeable.
• Warm shades can make your skin look bright and your teeth look white! Think of a red with a hint of orange, like a Firecracker shade.
• Your lip color doesn’t have to match your garment exactly. Look at shade families and choose the lip color that makes YOU look fantastic, NOT the one that matches your garment. Consider a neutral with a slightly red tone if you don’t love bold red lip color or even a red gloss for just a wash of color.
• Prime and line! Both are a must to give a red lip sharp clean edges and staying power. No one likes to see red lip color bleed or fade. Try the Age Fighting Lip Primer from Mary Kay, it’s a personal favorite. For liner, choose a shade that is the same or just slightly darker than the lip color. And if you add gloss, choose a red gloss. A clear or light shimmer shade will dilute the color of the lipstick and you may wind up with pink lips instead of red.

Another way to make your look more festive is to add some SHIMMER, but whoa there Nellie, don’t get carried away!  A little is a lot and it’s all about particles and placement.

“The matte layer will help the shimmer not to magnify the texture.”

Tips For Shimmer This Holiday:

• Choose SHIMMERS rather than METALLICS. Shimmers contain tiny light-reflective particles and do not get into fine lines and wrinkles like glitter or metallic products.
• Try adding a creamy-colored shimmer on the inner tear duct of the eye area, or lightly tap it on the lid to brighten the eye area and add some interest.
• Mix a shimmer with a matte shade for the best impact. On the eyes, you can lay down a matte shadow and then top it with shimmer. The matte layer will help the shimmer not to magnify the texture.
• Consider a shimmery highlighter on the top of the cheekbone and above the cupid’s bow of the lip OR a shimmery cheek color to catch the light. Remember that a little goes a long way! Avoid adding shimmer to areas where you have lots of fine lines or texture, like larger pores or scars.
• Add a shimmery gloss to your favorite lip color shades. It doesn’t have to be a red lip! Pinks, berries, and neutrals can all look festive with a little shimmer. Only add it to the center of the lips and it will spread on its own as your body heat warms it.

Finally, turn up the glam with EYELINER and LASHES! Liquid eyeliner gives the most dramatic look and can be worn by almost anyone. I haven’t seen a woman yet who doesn’t look better with long curled lashes! They can really open up the eyes and add drama and glamour, and they look amazing in photos.

“Finish with a light coat of mascara to blend your lashes to the false ones.”

Tips For Eyeliner And Lashes To Wear:

• Try false lashes if yours are short or sparse. Today’s versions are easy to apply and can look quite natural. The trick is to find the one that is the right shape and length for your eyes.
• Purchase an assorted pack and try them out to find the one that works best for you. (Ardell, a long preferred brand among makeup artists, makes an assorted 5 pack that retails for around $11). To apply, place the glue (Duo brand in the blue and white tube is always a winner) on the back of your hand and let it sit for a few seconds. Then drag the band of the lash through the glue. Sit the lash right on the lip of your eyelid, at the base of your own lashes. Gently press your lashes and the false lash together. Finish with a light coat of mascara to blend your lashes to the false ones.
• Liquid liner can add drama quickly. Select the pen type and then you can create a thick dramatic line or just lay it on its side and press along the lash line for a fine line.

Two Dramatic Elements:

Prior to your event or special occasion, PRACTICE and see what look you like. Choose one or two of the above suggestions and see what you think, maybe photograph yourself. Don’t put them all into play at once, that’s too much, even for a party. The key is one or two dramatic elements. Find the right ones and you’ll be the belle of the ball!

If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram @gailsscott. I’d love to help you find your sizzle this Holiday Season.

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