‘Tis the season for giving and celebrating the Holiday season. Believe it or not, this Holiday season has quickly approached us. Most office parties are after-hours so of course you want to look your best, but you don’t want to be the talk of the party in a negative way. When getting dressed or putting on the final touches to your makeup, you must remember that these are the people that you work with. Keep in mind that you do need to maintain that professional state of mind while socializing with co-workers, so leave the party animal in you at the front door.

I know that you’re probably wondering what is appropriate and what’s not, or how to dress up your makeup without going too far. Fear not! I have acquired the help of our very own professional makeup artist, Jeff, from Beauty Collection West Hollywood. He has some amazing insights on how to dress your face up, without looking like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. Check out below for some questions and answers from Jeff!

Question: What are the hottest Holiday makeup trends to watch for this season?

Answer: Metallic eyes are the trend, as well as the nude look. It’s very Sophisticated and subtle

 

Question: We all know that work makeup, overall, is pretty conservative, but what can we do to spruce it up for the Holiday Party without going over board?

Answer: I would try something new or something different with your makeup or even your hair that no one has seen before at the office. You would be surprised how the slightest change can attract so much attention. By simply changing the color of your lips or wearing your hair up or down can make a big difference.

 

Question: Is there anything we should avoid when doing our makeup?

Answer: Just because it is a holiday office party does not mean you have to stick with traditional holiday colors like red, green, gold and silver. Check your magazines or go online and find out what the trends are for winter of that same year.

Question: What can we do to avoid completely starting over with our makeup?

Answer: If you already have your makeup on and you don’t have time to start all over again, just simply smooth out your foundation with a clean sponge, touch up any areas that need some attention with some concealer and then powder. For your eyes, if you want to go darker, just apply a darker shade or intensify what you have on with more eyeshadow. You can definitely do the same for the lips and blush.

Question: Is there a specific line that you would recommend?

Answer: I recommend Stila for eye shadows. They have a lot of different colors and they can be applied as a subtle touch of color to a dramatic look. Bare Minerals (available in-store only, not online) has a brand new collection of eyeshadow duos and quads. Definitely worth checking out at any of our Beauty Collection stores.

 

Question: What colors would you recommend for eye shadows?

Answer: Plums and shimmery grays are the trend for this holiday season.

 

Question: Are there any specific colors to avoid when putting on lipstick, blush and eye liner?

Answer: Just remember to always use colors that compliment your skins undertone. If you are warm, then use earthy colors. If you are cool then use colors that have a blue undertone or cool undertone to them. As for liner, experiment with different looks on your eyes to see how dramatic you can go. Just avoid making your eyes look smaller. Go easy on the bottom liner.

So there  you have it ladies! I hope this will give you all some ideas on what to do for that Office Holiday Party. If you are local to Los Angeles, stop by our Beauty Collection store in West Hollywood and give Jeff a visit. I hope everyone has a great and safe Holiday this year, stay warm!

One last thing, Jeff - Do you have any tips for us?

Jeff – Always bring a compact with you to powder your face. If you are concerned about powder building or caking up on your face, use blotting powders. Boscia makes a variety of them and they are convenient and small enough to slip into your purse. Also, don’t be afraid to use products in your hair. Blow has several different kinds of products that will protect your hair from heat when blow drying your hair. If you can, carry a travel blow dryer with you to give your hair a fresh look. I highly recommend using dry shampoos in between washes. They will keep your hair from looking oily. Klorane makes a great dry shampoo. Don’t forget to dress up your nails a little bit too! Essie has a great winter collection and if you want to go with sparkle, I highly suggest the “Muppets” collection from OPI (OPI only avail in-store). Deborah Lippmann’s “Happy Birthday” is also a great way to add a little sparkle to your manicure.

Interested in a telephone consult with Jeff?  Call 310.858.8838 during normal business hours, ask for him, or his availability!