Holiday Makeup Tutorial

I feel like all of my makeup posts have to start with the same disclaimer: I’m not a makeup person. I like to keep things simple and low key– most days I don’t wear any makeup. I do have an everyday makeup routine that takes all of four minutes to get through. When I have an event or a party to attend, I try to put a bit more effort into my makeup. However, the final result just looks a bit more polished from my everyday look; I still want to feel comfortable and look like myself when all is said and done.

While I’m labeling this a “holiday” tutorial, the truth is that this is my year round go-to routine when I want to wear a bit more makeup than a regular day.

Another mini disclosure… There’s a lot of photos in this post! I try to keep my photos under six per post but these are the step by step so you can really see the progression! 

As a teaser, this is the end result! I wore this dress and did my makeup just like this before Kate Spade’s holiday party last week. I snapchatted a little bit and had a few requests for how I did my makeup. Again, the disclaimer, I’m not a makeup person. (Can you tell I’m self-conscious about this?!)

The blank slate!

After priming my face with this, I start by using this foundation stick to cover up some of the red spots, blemishes, and dark circles. Whenever I’m going to an event or need to look “photo-ready,” I use this Clinique liquid makeup. It’s definitely makeup-y and can be layered to be as thick as you want or need. I squeeze a little on my fingers and rub it in like I would moisturizer. It’s not rocket science but I think the only key is to make sure you also include your neck… don’t stop at your jawline! This is what I look like with just the foundation stick and liquid makeup:

Figuring out how to use bronzer changed my whole makeup routine. It gives me the exact definition I need and crave without ruining my skin in the sun. I start by my ear at the highest point of my cheek bones and aggressively go back and forth between that spot and the peak of my cheeks (right where the brush is in the photo).

I follow it up with a touch of blush. As aggressive as I am with the bronzer (I need it…), I keep the blush super light. My friend gave this Dior blush as a gift and I have to say it’s the best. It’s light, smells wonderful, and apparently works with your skin’s chemistry to create the perfect hue. I stay right around the apples of my cheeks and just barely blend in with my bronzer!

When it comes to eyeshadow I believe less is more. I use a palette like this and start by brushing the tan color around my lid, followed by bronze in my crease, and then a bone in the corners of my eyes.

I’ve been known to use makeup remover to restart the process a few times…

The next photo is scary, but I did it on purpose:

My secret weapon is the Bobbi Brown eyebrow shaper. I use this stuff daily in all honestly… I feel naked without it! You can lightly sweep your eyebrows with it to create some shape and color. For events and parties, I crank up the boldness by going back over my eyebrows a few times. You can see the with/without above!