PRELUDE: BEAUTY DECEMBER 2005
WORDS BY CHRISTINA KALLERY
4 SEXY HOLIDAY BEAUTY DARES
Ever longed to sport Twiggy-esque lashes for a night or try a dark, sultry pout on for size? Whether you’re headed to an intimate dinner soirée, a New Year’s Eve extravaganza or any shindig in between, holiday parties offer the perfect excuse to break out of your beauty mold and road-test a sexy new look. Even if your notion of “makeup” normally means little more than tinted lip balm and the occasional dab of concealer, why not take a cue from the season’s glitter-drenched décor and add a dash of glam to your regime? We’ve selected a few surefire tricks for vamping it up in style. (Warning: Unless you are Vegas-bound, do not attempt all at once!)
Red lips
The vamp’s signature toolkit of seduction has always included red lips. Mysterious, sophisticated and drop-dead sexy, no self-respecting siren would be caught on a secret rendezvous minus a sleek tube of crimson lipstick. As with any weapon, this color can prove dangerous if not handled with care. Start by choosing the right shade for your skin tone. Blue-reds tend to flatter fair skin, while darker and olive complexions look gorgeous when set off by a yellow-based red. Two to try: Stila Lip Color in Sofia (www.stilacosmetics.com), a sheer scarlet, and Nars Lipstick in Red Lizard (www.narscosmetics.com), a no-holds-barred shade.
Glitter
Sure, you’ve outgrown your sticker collection but that doesn’t mean you can’t still play with glitter. The key to a party look that’s more jet-set than junior high? Restraint. Only apply to a single area that you want to catch the light, like tops of cheekbones, eyelids (be sure the product can be used near eyes) or shoulders. You can also mix a little with your usual hair product to add sparkle to your ’do. Our faves: Babor Chic Glitter Gel (www.babor.com), Pop Beauty Glitter Addict Rainbow (www.sephora.com) and, for frosted, sparkly eyes, Pixi Eye Beauty Kit in Miracle (www.sephora.com).
Body shimmer
Body shimmer ranks as a top celeb trick for getting spotlight-worthy skin. As with glitter, apply only on areas you want to highlight, like décolletage, shoulders and (if you’re going sans hose or tights) legs. Silvery shimmers work wonders on fair skin tones, while gold or bronze colors are ravishing on darker complexions. Try: Benefit Hollywood Glo Body Lustre (www.benefitcosmetics.com) or Memoirs of a Geisha Shimmer Powder with Crushed Pearl by Fresh (www.sephora.com).
False lashes
One of the surest ways to achieve party goddess hotness? A swish of long, lush—and fake—lashes. Not for the faint of heart, good application requires a steady hand and plenty of pre-event practice. Novices can learn the ropes at their nearest Mac beauty counter, where consultants will apply the faux fringe for you and offer tips for later endeavors. Not brave enough to don an entire lid’s worth of fake flutterers? Try individual lashes, like DuraLash Naturals (www.madamemadeline.com) and apply only to outer corners. The effect is virtually undetectable, yet you’ll look inexplicably sultry and doe-eyed all night long.