The three biggest holiday make-up trends and how to make them sparkle

The glitz and glamour of the season are upon us, and it’s time to get into the holiday spirit. Prepare for late nights, hopping from party to party, champagne toasts and dancing until dawn, all while looking a bit more glamorous than any other time of the year. It is time to pull out all the stops, be adventurous, be bold and go for the glitter. A party is the perfect occasion to try a new color or style that may be too daring for every day. Here are three of the biggest trends for the holidays in 2011:

Icicle Eyes
The holidays are filled with color and sparkle, and that is also true for the season’s eye shadow trend. A little shimmer can go a long way, so choose a lighter shade like icy blue or lavender. Highlight the brow bone and inside corner of the eye with a glittering white for an extra pop. When opting for a colorfully dramatic eye, pair it with a minimalistic, almost naked looking face and lip. It’s a fun look with a sophisticated edge.

Any time you apply a lot of color to the eyes, start with the eye makeup first. Finish the entire eye before applying concealer or doing any corrections. Pigment from the shadows tend to fall under the eye and can be hard to clean up, which is especially tough when using blue or purple.

Bombshell Lips
Nothing says take me to the mistletoe like a bombshell red pucker. Red is always the color of the season, but it can be a bit tricky using it on your lips. With all of the eating and drinking, you could look messy well before you make it to the mistletoe. Here are a few helpful red lip application hints:

- apply lip liner to your entire lip and then apply lipstick
- lightly blot, then apply lip gloss to just the center of your lips
- with a small brush, apply powder to outside edge of lip line to keep it from bleeding

When I apply red lipstick colors I tend to go more natural on the rest of the makeup. For example, I really like to pair a red lip with a simple black lined eye. Line only on the top lid, starting very close to the lash line and gradually thicken towards the outside edge. Glamorous, yet simply classic.

Lavish Lashes
It is impossible not to notice, whether real or fake, that lashes are getting longer and longer. This season you may feel a breeze when the girl next to you blinks — it’s all about lovely, long lashes. If you don’t want to splurge on extensions, you can apply some falsies. Many women are even applying two strips for a lavishly long, thick look.

If you decide to go ‘au natural,’ start by curling your lashes. This instantly makes them appear longer and thicker and your eyes bigger and brighter. Apply a lengthening mascara — then apply more. Use a clean, disposable mascara wand to remove extra mascara between coats. Apply a third coat and maybe a fourth.

With these tips in mind, you’re certain to be the belle of the holiday ball!

Rochelle Rae is the creator of Rae Cosmetics, a line designed to stand up against heat and humidity.