Updating makeup is easy. Remember how new jewelry and shoes gave fresh life to your little black dress? So before the holiday invitations pour in, toss the cakey blue eyeshadow and sticky lip gloss and head for the cosmetics counter.
Top makeup artists are choosing
extra-long eyelashes, shimmery lids and lips in luscious poinsettia red for their holiday fashion trimmings.
“Holiday is the time to go for glam,” says Debbi Hartley-Triesch, beauty and fragrance director for Nordstrom stores.
Makeup artists at counters such as MAC (which has a freestanding store in Denver as well as departments in major stores like Nordstrom and Foley’s) will guide you through techniques like applying false eyelashes or do it for you.
“They’re not as intimidating as you might think,” Harltey-Triesch says says of false eyelashes. “They’re more natural-looking and the people at the counter will cut and customize them for you. They’re flirty and fun and get you in a festive mood.”
If you’re not sure what counter to visit, look for makeup artists wearing the type of cosmetics you favor, whether they are natural shades or something dramatic.
To get us thinking about the upcoming party season, we asked Hartley-Triesch and three national makeup artists to share the season’s key trends, give product suggestions and offer application tips.
“The classic red lip is great for holiday,” says Hartley-Triesch. “The tip is to wear it with red lip liner. Put away your neutral or spice liner; you want it to match.”
She’s also a fan of long-wearing lipstick and says new formulas come with a clear gloss so lips don’t look dry during the eight or so hours the color lasts.
As for all the metallic shades in makeup, it isn’t necessary to wear gold cosmetics if you have gold in your wardrobe but Hartley-Triesch says, “You can pull out something with a shimmer shadow – think of giving your makeup an iridescent quality versus something that’s pure metallic.”
Any tips for the morning after so you don’t look so tired?
“Wake up your skin with a great exfoliator in the shower, like Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel. It gets your circulation going. Then follow with a moisturizer with vitamins in it. It instantly brightens the skin.”
SHELBY STERRETT, Bobbi Brown beauty team artist, Southern California
Trends: “Holiday is all about looking glamorous, but wearable and fresh,” Sterrett says. “The eyes have a luminous, metallic quality without being over the top and the lip is pressed for a look that’s not extremely glossy, but creamy.”
Key products: Check out the holiday Sexy Glamour Palette, $45, with two eye shadows, charcoal liner and deep red lip color, as well as a two-sided eye brush and a lip brush.
Tricks, techniques: Brush on white base color from the lashline to the browbone. Dust the palette’s Pewter Shimmer Wash eye shadow from the lashline to the eye crease. Highlight by applying Glacier Shimmer Wash under the brow bone with finger. Slightly dampen the eyeliner brush and apply Charcoal eye shadow along the upper lash line. Follow with two coats of mascara. For long-lasting lip color, blot Cassis on the lips using fingers, followed by lip liner.
“When you think of holiday makeup, so often the look is overdone,” Sterrett says. “We love shimmer and bling, but want to keep it wearable.”
LOUISE ZIZZO, senior artist with MAC, based in San Francisco
Trends: “It’s all about indulgence and taking it to the next level. The key is to use very luxurious and seductive shades. Instead of traditional gold and red, we’re seeing rich purples, exotic greens and bronzes.”
Key products: Lip gloss, mascara and “for those who really want to make a statement, false lashes.”
She likes MAC’s number 7, 20 and 4 lashes. “They will dress a look up but not take over.”
Tricks, techniques: For false eyelashes, apply mascara first. If the lashes have a clear or white strip, shade that in with black pencil first. Apply glue to the strip and wait 30 seconds before putting lashes on, to give glue a chance to set up. Remove lashes starting at the outer edge, peel off excess glue and put them back in the box. She says you should be able to use them three or four times.
If you don’t want to wear dramatic color on your eyelids, use it smudged under the eye “for a beautiful little kick.” Apply the color with a small angle brush, like MAC’s 266 brush.
For a finishing touch, dust on sheer shimmer powder. “It adds glow to the skin,” Zizzo says. “Use it on your cheek bones, décolleté, shoulders.”
TIM QUINN, Giorgio Armani
Cosmetics national designer
Trends : “I like makeup that looks elegant but not overdone. I’m loving midnight blue eye shadow; soft, slightly bronzed cheeks and instead of red lips, berry colors.
“In the winter you can wear more pigmented lip colors. I think they look beautiful with the fashion this season.”
Key products: Luminous Silk Foundation, Star Lash mascara, Midnight Eye Mania compact, Midnight Shimmer Powder.
Tricks, techniques: Quinn is a big fan of the brand’s blender brush for applying foundation, as it gives a smooth appearance to the skin.
Use a primer to coat the lashes and it will make mascara adhere and lashes look longer. Dust loose powder over the skin for a little shimmer.
Make sure you have the makeup artist give you a face chart to remind you of how to apply the products.
Coming soon: Quinn will be at Nordstrom Park Meadows Dec. 2-3 . For an appointment, call 303-799-3400, ext. 1769.
