If you need to get ready in a pinch, always reach for your favorite little black dress. It’s classic, flatters any body type and never fails when you are having trouble deciding what to wear.
Wear clothes because they suit you and make you feel great, not just because they are trendy. Talk with a stylist, or work with a knowledgeable sales associate to put together pretty basics that will help you look your best at holiday parties.
To give any holiday outfit the desired wow-factor, add a pair of fantastic shoes, like these ones from Sole Society. ($49.95- $69.95, www.solesociety.com)
Another quick fix that instantly adds elegance and sexiness to an outfit is red lips, try NYX Cosmetics’ Xtreme Lip Cream in Candy Land ($6, www.nyxcosmetics.com) – it will make you holiday-ready in a flash.
Use an all-in-one product to get a rosy holiday glow – something that gives color to your lips and cheeks like you just came inside from playing in the snow. Try NYX Cosmetics Rouge Cream Blush in Tea Rose ($6.50, www.nyxcosmetics.com).
Keep clutch essentials in your purse so you can easily transition from day into night without missing a beat. Carry hydrating mist and a small perfume bottle with you so that you can always look and smell fresh, and never leave the house without your Ms. & Mrs. Minimergency Kit for Her. These adorable kits are filled with an arsenal of helpful necessities like stain remover, hairspray, floss and deodorant towelettes. (Good Luck Minimergency Kit for Her – Good Luck Series, $15, www.msandmrs.com)
Always keep your skin in good condition with consistent facials so you aren't attempting to cover up little flaws. If you have time, try to get a facial a week or so before all of your holiday festivities. This will help to restore the moisture balance to your skin, and give you a natural holiday glow. The ARCONA spa in Santa Monica, CA offers a number of customized facials, including the Organic Enzyme Peel which uses organic fruit enzymes to dissolve dead skin and cleanse pores.
If you don’t have time for a facial, use hydrating facial cleansers and serums, exfoliate and use a humidifier. A few great winter skincare products are ARCONA’s Peptide Hydrating Complex ($75), White Tea Purifying Cleanser ($42), Cranberry Gommage ($42) and Gentle Solution ($48). (Available at www.nordstrom.com )
Here are some other great last-minute skincare tips to help you prep for the holidays:
The key to skin health during stressful holiday months is being consistent with your skin care regimen. Exfoliate the skin, use SPF everyday (even in the winter), apply hydrating serum underneath your moisturizer, and eat healthy food. Get rest, exercise and try not to stress – it’s a time to celebrate and enjoy with those we love!
If you are hung-over after drinking too much at a holiday party, make sure you drink tons of water to re-hydrate your body and your skin. Also, to re-energize your skin after a long night out, try a mask such as ARCONA’s Tea Tree Mask ($30, www.nordstrom.com ) which will help to cleanse, purify and detoxify the skin.
To quickly deal with a blemish, treat it to reduce the inflammation with a product such as ARCONA’s Herbal Compound ($30, www.arcona.com )– a proprietary herbal blend that fights skin eruptions, unclogs pores and kills bacteria. Then, conceal using a cotton bud or small, pointed concealer brush. Apply a dot of thick concealer to the center of the blemish, then lightly spread it to cover. Brush over with translucent powder.
Between work, parties, shopping and everything else in-between, we’re all a little sleep-deprived during the holidays. Your skin often shows the immediate effects of too few hours of rest, so again, make sure to drink plenty of water and keep your skin properly moisturized with a hydrator such as ARCONA’s Peptide Hydrating Complex ($75, www.nordstrom.com ). Also, to fight those inevitable under eye circles, make sure to consistently use a an eye cream such as ARCONA’s Eye Dew ($32,www.nordstrom.com ) which aids in repairing damaged skin and increases elasticity around the eyes with beta-fructan and liquid crystals. Anti-inflammatory blueberry extract and vitamin E help heal and soothe skin, while reducing puffiness.