Pretty Holiday Makeup Tips

The holiday season gives us an almost daily excuse to get dressed up and spend more time on your hair and makeup (not that we needed one). We asked makeup artist Troy Surratt for his suggestions of the prettiest—and fastest—ways to look festive.

Red lips: So much more sophisticated than those little ornament earrings. Choose a blue-red that's neither too glossy nor too matte. The perfect texture has a sheen and leaves the lips moist. The best part? It's the only makeup you need on your face. Skip eye makeup and leave your skin bare—thinkChanel couture, where models' wore red lips and nothing else. "Just comb your brows for balance," says Surratt."And look for a lipstick formula that's long wear, so you don't leave a ring on your champagne glass."

Glittering eyes: Sweep a metallic shadow (if you have a cool skin tone, try silver; warm, try gold) from your lash lines to your crease, on your inner corners, and along your bottom lash lines. "Your eyes will look gilded," says Surratt.

No-fuss lashes: Individual false lashes look amazing but they take a lot of practice to master. If you want to boost your lashes before a party, pick up a set of MAC 33 Lashes. Though we rarely recommend strips, Surratt swears by these. "They add bulk and fullness, but in a natural way, and the hairs above the iris are longer so your eyes look big and bright. Brush on one coat of mascara to blend them and conceal any glue with black liquid eyeliner."

Glow-y skin: Dewy skin is nice, but it can look like oily in pictures. Instead, keep the majority of your face matte and strategically place highlighter on the bridge of your nose, cheekbones, and cupid's bow for a candlelit finish. Surratt's tip: before a holiday family photo shoot, blot an oil-absorbing sheet down your t-zone to cancel out shine.

Tasteful sparkle: It might be tempting to layer on the beauty equivalent of tinsel and dust your skin with highlighter with from head to toe in the name of holiday spirit, but resist: look for body lotions that add a subtle gleam (not glitter) and avoid goopy, brown formulas that can transfer on your clothes. Surratt's pick: Benefit Bathina. Dab it along your collarbones.

Pale skin: Go easy on the blush. When temperatures drop, your cheeks turn naturally rosy and blush can make you look red. Instead, add a hint of warmth with a bronzer on the bridge of your nose, along your temples, and cheeks. When choosing one that works on your skin tone, remember: it should enhance your skin and add a healthy glow, not look like you're faking a tan. Surratt recommendsGuerlain bronzers because "they offer a wide selection for different skin tones."