Create a Holiday Party Look In Seconds

By Woman's Day, on Wed Dec 8, 2010 11:13am PST

Fast & Festive

Special occasions call for an extra special outfit. Luckily, all it takes to transform an ordinary going-out look into a red-hot holiday ensemble is a few glamorous trimmings, like eye-catching accessories and shimmering makeup. So before you splurge on a fancy frock, flip through this slideshow to get a few ideas for sprucing up the dress you already have. From ruby-red lip color to a sequin-studded clutch, these little touches will make the holidays––and your look––worth celebrating.

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Paint the Town Red

Flattering on all skin tones, a bold scarlet lip instantly injects your daytime look with party-ready pizzazz. MAC Lipstick in MAC Red, $14.50; MACCosmetics.com. Hunter Dixon Mo Top, $218; HunterDixon.com. (Go to the next slide for more product suggestions and application tips.)

Photo: © Michael Waring/Woman's Day

Products & Application Tips

Get red-hot results by using one of these three products. Dab on a lipstick like Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in True Red (top left, $8.99; Drugstore.com) with your fingertip for just the right amount of color, from a subtle flush to an all-out “wow.” Want a matte finish? Line lips with Sonia Kashuk’s Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Rosey Nude (center, $7.99; Target.com), then delicately fill in. If you’re worried about feathering, opt for Avon’s Pro Color & Gloss Lip Duo in Poppy Love (bottom, $10; Avon.com), which is thick enough to sit on top of fine lines without enhancing them.

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Rock On

Arm candy? Check! This sequin-studded clutch—featured here in a sophisticated deep purple hue—will keep you in good company (and style) all night long. Loud on its own, pair it with a solid-colored dress to pull the look together like a pro. Boden Glittering Clutch, $108; BodenUSA.com. (Go to the next slide for more product suggestions and application tips.)

Photo: © Michael Waring/Woman's Day

Products & Application Tips

Glitzy jewel-tone accessories (a paillette-encrusted clutch, bracelets with oversize gemstones) transform wardrobe basics, like a shift dress, from simple to showstopping. Bisou Bisou for JCPenney dress, $66.99; JCPenney stores. H&M Gem Bracelet, $12.95; HM.com for stores. Dressy Ribbon-Tie Necklace, $14.50; 800-OLD-NAVY. R.J. Graziano earrings, $65. Nine West Elnora pump, $89; NineWest.com. Curations with Stefani Greenfield Regal Stone Ring, $59.95; HSN.com. R.J. Graziano brooch, $95.

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Shine All Night

 

The easier-to-apply sister of the smoky eye: one quick sweep of metallic eyeshadow from lashline to just above the crease. MAC Eyeshadow in Forgery, $14.50; MACCosmetics.com (Go to the next three slides for more product suggestions and application tips for all skin types.)

Photo: © Michael Waring/Woman's Day

Perfectly Pale

There's a metallic shadow to complement every complexion. Icy silver and platinum, for example, balance blue undertones in fair skin. Mally Beauty Single Shadow in Silver ($18; MallyBeauty.com), Anna Sui Eye Color in 003 ($25; UrbanOutfitters.com), Topshop Cream Eye Shadow in Heavy Metal ($14; TopShop.com).

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Dark and Beautiful

Dark skin is the perfect backdrop for bold shades of copper and gold. Mehron Metallic Powder in Copper and Gold ($7.95 each; Mehron.com), L'Oréal Paris HIP Studio Secrets Professional Metallic Shadow Duos in Charged ($8; at drugstores).

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Middle Child

And a dusting of bronze shadow instantly warms up medium skin tones. Origins Eyeshadow in Copper Penny ($14; Origins.com), CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast duo in Bronze Fire ($7.49; at drugstores), Rimmel London Glam'Eyes Mono Eye Shadow in Spicy Bronze ($3.49; at drugstores).

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Go for the Gold

One dazzling gilded piece—like this dripping-in-sequins top or a blingedout accessory—eliminates the need to pile on jewelry and spend hours in front of the mirror deciding which necklace to wear with your favorite pair of earrings. INC International Concepts top, $69, Bloomingdale’s; J. Crew Dalton pant, $69.50; JCrew.com. Patty Tobin Baby Briolette Hessonite Garnet Earrings, $75; PattyTobin.com. (Go to the next slide for more product suggestions and application tips.)

Photo: © Michael Waring/Woman's Day

Products & Application Tips

You don't need a full-on gold-sequin shirt to benefit from the magic of metallic. Work a few smaller pieces into your outfit to add a glamorous highlighting effect. Target Multi-Strand Pearl & Chain Necklace, $49.99; Target.com. Sequin Bow Hard Case Clutch, $58; Accessorize.com. Curations with Stefani Greenfield Grid Chain Bracelet, $79.95; HSN.com. Mixit by JCPenney ring, $11.99; 877-FIND-JCP for stores. Dolce Vita for Target Sniptoe Flat, $29.99; Target.com.

Photo: © John Lawton/Woman's Day

Holiday Style Fashion and Beauty Essentials

By Sarah Bernard, Host of The Thread, on Tue Nov 9, 2010 12:49pm PST 

(http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/hit-the-holidays-in-style-with-these-fashion-and-beauty-essentials-2408749/)

The holidays are about dressing up and piling on the glam, 

but on The Thread we like to do both on a budget. 

We've got what you need to hit the season in style, 

from dresses and accessories to the perfect makeup 

and shimmery nail polish to complete your look.

1. Silk dress. 

We picked a festive emerald greed option 

from Rachel Rachel Roy, one of our favorite designers. 

2. Lace platform pumps. 

Lace has been a huge trend this season, 

and platforms (as opposed to regular stilettos) 

are a lot more comfortable to stand in during cocktail parties.

3. A box clutch. 

Besides adding polish to a look, 

a box clutch is an ideal purse to carry because it fits everything—

your phone, keys, lip gloss, etc.

4. Cocktail rings. 

For over-the-top glitz, add a cocktail ring (or two). 

Arden B. and Forever 21 both have some spectacular, affordable options.

5. Sparkly nails. 

Instead of traditional holiday red, opt for shimmery gold or silver—

an understated shade that will also look appropriate at the office.

6. Gold lips. 

Have some fun with your lips! 

A translucent gold lipstick does the trick. 

If you want a bit more of a base, add the gloss on top of your everyday color.

7. Lavender smoky eyes. 

Don’t be scared of a little color on the eyes. 

It may look intimidating, but smoky lavender is one of those shades 

that complement every eye color. 

Add a touch of gold in the corners to really open up the eyes and amp up the drama.

8. Bronzed skin. 

Bronzer is not just for summer and not just for your face! 

Brush some bronzer on your arms, legs and, if you’re wearing a strapless dress… 

your shoulders, too.

Eye Shadow For All Eye Shapes

Eye Shadow Techniques for all Eye Shapes

By CarolB at CompleteSkinCareTherapy.com, on Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:56am PDT

Identifying the shape of your eyes will allow you to apply 

specific makeup techniques to bring out their full beauty.

There are several shapes of eyes and below I have

outlined a few common shapes and

the makeup applications to enhance their natural beauty.

Close-set eyes 

As the term applies the eyes are set close together.

To give the illusion of more width between the eyes draw a pencil line

just above the natural crease about a quarter of the way out from the inner eye.

Then apply a dark shadow and blend.

Apply a highlighter just below the outer corner of the lower lashes.

You can also add a light color for the inner corners, if you like.

This technique sets the focus on the outside of the eyes thus giving

the illusion of more width between the eyes.

Wide-set eyes

are when the eyes have a generous amount of space between the eyes.

To minimum width there are a few options.

You can apply a bit of bronzer on the ridge of the nose.

You can also use an eyebrow pencil to extend the eyebrows a bit.

Dark colored eye shadow should be uniformly placed in

 the inner corners of the eyes and lighter or medium toned

shadows on the rest of the lid and under the brow.

This technique sets the focus on the inside of the eye thus

giving the illusion of less space between the eyes.

Small eyes 

There are several techniques to give the illusion of larger eyes.

First and foremost pluck your eyebrows thinner so your eyes will appear bigger.

Your overall eye shadow colors should be light and shimmery.

Use a highlighter in the inner corners and under the brow bone.

Never apply dark or thick liners to the inside rim of the eyes.

Finally, curl your lashes for the final finish.

Almond shaped eyes 

 are the most common eye shape and have an upswept lift at the outer corner.

They can go from smoky eyes to a light and natural look.

For those with almond eyes it is just a matter of your

own creativity and the right colors for skin tone.

 

 

 

Deep-set eyes

 are set back thus the area from the base of the lashes

to the brow bone seem to be hidden.

To bring eyes forward use light shadows over the entire eye lid to the brow. 

Add a dot of highlighter on the inner corners of the eye.

Use a contour color just above the crease and blend upward.

 

 

Prominent eyes 

are set forward and dominate the facial features.

The goal with the proper makeup application is to minimize their appearance.

Start with darker shades of eye shadow over the entire eyelid.

Apply a lighter color, highlighter, along the brow line.

Apply eyeliner along the top lid and smudge.

Also apply a pencil line in the crease of the eye and blend.

On the lower lash line draw a line on the outer corner and smudge.

Prominent eyes do well with a smoky look and dark colors thus minimizing their appearance.

Asian Eyes 

these eyes in general are spaced wide apart and have minimal eyelid space.

In order to bring the eyes forward use a light color over the eye and blend. 

Towards the nose.

Apply a thick smoky line along upper eyelashes,

thick enough so that it can be seen when eyes are open.

Draw a thinner line under the lower eyelashes.

Line your eyebrows with brown eye shadow or brow pencil. 

Apply two or three coats of mascara for the finished look.

Hooded Eyes

 with hooded eyes the natural crease in the eyelid is not apparent.

To enhance your eyes apply highlighter at the brow bone.

Apply a darker shade on the crease and hooded area.

Finally draw a very thin line along the top lashes and smudge.

 

Ageing eyes

 need soft contouring.

As we age, our eyes begin to appear smaller because the eyelids start to sag.

This is the time to consider a eye shadow primer to smooth the skin.

For eye color consider a matte cream based product in

soft toned shadows like olive or mossy greens, light browns or grays and

apply to the outer corner of the eyelid extending it up.

Also consider a light silver to brighten the eye area.

Apply eye liner close to the upper lashes and drawing it thicker along the outer edges. 

For the finishing touch apply a light coat of mascara.

Heavy coats of mascara and dark color all too often look unnatural.

Well I hope you found this post helpful for enhancing your eye shape.