makeup

SPLURGE OR STEAL!

photo: nicholas moore

The holidays are here and that means it’s time to take chances with fashion and makeup! You can’t waste studded heels or a beaded dress with boring everyday makeup… you gotta step it up! Because I live for makeup (and the holidays), every late November I go from counter to counter at the department stores then up and down every aisle at the drug and specialty stores and play with every holiday palette and shade like a kid in a candy store. So without further ado, here are my favorites in each category to help you sparkle at your holiday parties this month:

FACE
Splurge: Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer — I’ve never been a fan of tinted moisturizers as they go way too shiny on my clients and me, but this one is a game changer with the perfect amount of coverage and most importantly, glow.
Steal: Covergirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation — This natural foundation gives great coverage while feeling like a lightweight mousse that disappears when you put it on (along with your imperfections!), because when you’re rocking a red lip and sequins, you don’t want anyone to notice you’re wearing foundation.

CHEEK
Splurge: NARS Blush in Miss Liberty — this soft shimmery peach highlight has quickly become my new secret weapon on my clients! It adds sparkle and life without ever detecting that you’re wearing it (glitter belongs on the eyelids, not the face).
Steal: VS Makeup Luminous Mineral Blush in Surrender — This combination of petal pink + shimmer recreates that gorgeous flush that you get when you’ve been making snow angels in the cold. Heaven!

EYESHADOW
Splurge: Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Burnished Amber — You’re going to DIE when you see these four vibrant but beautifully wearable colors! I haven’t been this excited to use a palette on the red carpet in a long time! So on trend with the fashion color scheme from the runway shows while really making your eyes pop.
Steal: ULTA 10 Shade Eyeshadow Palette — Metallics are huge this season and holiday parties are the perfect time to try shades outside of your comfort zone. This affordable palette has 10 stunning metallics to play with. Fun!

MASCARA

Splurge: Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Teal, Copper, Violet or Black — Sounds silly to wear colored mascara but I promise you it reads as black with a tiny hint of color that catches the light every now and then and dazzles! If you have brown eyes, try the teal, if you have blue eyes, the copper will make them look really piercing and green eyes become electric when paired with the violet!

Steal: Rimmel London Scandaleyes Mascara — Ladies, you are going to devour this mascara! It’s not for the faint of heart but pure perfection for when you want to bat your lashes under the mistletoe. The formula and wand are so intense, you won’t need more than one coat.

EYELINER

Splurge: Tarte MultiplEYES Natural Lash Enhancer Liquid Liner — Tis’ the perfect season for a classic cat eye! I love this formula because it doesn’t feather or bleed, lasts for hours and the brush is really user-friendly for those who are terrified of liquid liner. Bonus: it has a lash growing serum in it so every time you sweep it  across your lash line, you’re feeding your little lashes so they can grow even longer. Genius.
Steal: Mark Earn Your Medal Liquid Shimmer Liner in Silverado or Liquid Gold This limited Holiday edition adds just the right amount of festive fabulous-ness without looking like you’re trying too hard. I love sweeping one of these shades along the lower lashline paired with a black cat eye on top.

LIP
Splurge: Bobbi Brown 20th Anniversary Lip Palette — Smaller than my wallet yet it opens up to two drawers and 20  bright and beautiful lip colors with a brush! Where has this been all our lives? And who says you have to stick to one shade at party? You could go there rocking a nude shade, spot your crush across the room, sneak in the ladies room and switch to red!
Steal: Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lip Color — There’s nothing prettier than a LBD, holiday fun bun and a shiny bright lip. I love the look of a gloss but am not into the goopiness it sometimes brings. This formula lipstick goes on with the smooth texture of a lipstick but gives the shiny finish of a gloss. And I’m asking Santa for all ten shades, please.

MUST HAVE
100% Hyaluronic Acid. We’ve gotten a ton of emails asking which one to buy to get you through the winter months (remember this post?) and this one is a steal.

XO, Amy Nadine