Stand out at your next holiday party with these bold beauty looks

I have been a makeup artist for many years and I love what I do, but there are some things about my job that can get rather monotonous. This time of year I am especially busy doing makeup for my clients' family photos, holiday parties, New Years Eve parties, and all I hear all day long is "I want smoky eyes" or "I'd like to try a red lip".  I am a dedicated fan of both looks, but after the twentieth person in one day asks me for the same look I start to wonder "am I producing makeup clones?" Is everyone wearing the same red lipstick to a party the cosmetic equivalent to everyone showing up in the same red dress? I think the answer is yes, so I'd like to share a few unexpected holiday makeup looks that will have you standing out in a crowd of red lips and cat-eyes.

Bold Metallic Eyes

There is something so strong yet ethereal about a beautifully executed bold metallic eye look. It instantly brightens tired looking eyes and there is a shade of metallic that is flattering on every skin tone. The reflective nature of metallic eye makeup feels very festive and it's the one time of the year you can put it on and not have people wonder why there's a party on your face. The key to not looking like a disco ball is to keep the rest of your makeup very clean and minimal, let your eyes be the focal point. Here are my favorite metallic eye products:

Stila Magnificent Metals Foiled Eyeshadow $32

I am absolutely in love with these little moist cakes of insanely reflective deliciousness. Each shadow / liner comes with a long-wearing mixing medium and mixing pan. On the pan, mix a drop of the liquid primer with a bit of the shadow for the most beautiful metallic eyes you have ever seen. I have Dusty Rose, Kitten and Metallic Gilded Gold, and each time I wear these shadows people stop me on the street asking how I achieved my gorgeously glossy eyes. To turn the dimmer switch on this look, simply use a thin eyeliner brush and dab the magnificent metals foiled shadow on the inner corners of your eyes and in a thin line across your upper lashes.

(Also see: Unique gifts for her $25 and under)

Glossier Liquid Foil Liner Set $28

A few months back the founders of the the beauty community "Into the Gloss"  decided to launch a "real-life beauty brand" called Glossier, and that's where my obsession began. The brand itself is incredibly minimal with a focus on natural-looking and simple products, but this little holiday set of liquid foil liners is pure decadence. I'll leave it to your imagination as to what innovative holiday looks you could achieve with these highly pigmented liquid gold and silver liners. Snowflake eyes? Completely gilded lips? Ice princess? 

Unconventional Sparkle

"I just love finding new places to wear diamonds" said Marilyn Monroe in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and I couldn't agree with that sentiment more. While this is not a new trend, women have been embellishing their brows and faces for centuries, it is an unexpected take on traditional holiday makeup. Whether you bedazzle your entire face with gems or stick to a few subtle adornments, I know you will be the only girl at your holiday party glimmering more than the strings of lights. Check out these products to achieve this look:

Benefit Cosmetics Bling Brow $25

This adorable set comes with everything you may need to "bling" in the holiday season. With 52 pre-glued Swarovski crystals in shades of rose gold, crystal and griege, and a pair of dainty tweezers, there is no limit to the unique looks a gal could create. Remember, just because the set is called Bling Brow doesn't mean that is the only place you can use these sparklers! If you aren't the creative type, but still love the look of glitzy arches, for a limited time you can head over to any Benefit Cosmetics Boutique and have them Bling your Brows with three styles to choose from and over ten different Swarovski crystal colors. Prices vary based on style.

Napoleon Perdis Wild Rose False Lashes $20

Two of my great loves in life are sparkling diamonds and flirty false lashes, and here they are in one glam product! Whether your eyes are open or closed, they will be framed in the most delicate glimmering crystals with these standout faux lashes. Check out the entire line of Napoleon Perdis lashes, they are incredibly lovely and there are a few other embellished styles that I love just as much as these! 

Dark and Vampy Lips

Let me reiterate, I love a beautiful red, but there are so many other options out there that are just as lovely and a lot more surprising. For example the naughty sister of nice classic red is the nearly black red. Think 1920's silent screen star or mysterious femme fatale; that's the lipstick I am talking about! You're probably thinking, "ummm I would look totally goth in that lipstick", and yes, if you're not careful you could look like an extra from Interview With the Vampire. Here are a few tips on pulling of this look:

-Blush and bronzer are you friend! You will need a little extra color on your cheeks to avoid looking deathly pale. 

-Keep the skin dewy and natural. Steer away from heavily matte powdered skin and vampy lips or you might look like you're in costume makeup.

-Vampy lips require little to no additional makeup to look perfectly glam. Perfect your skin, add a dusting of bronzer and highlighter, curl and mascara your lashes and done!

-Be mindful of lipstick faux pas. Dark colors are not as forgiving as sheers, so lipstick on your teeth and bleeding outside your lip lines is something to look out for. Use a good lip pencil and a comfortable, long-wearing lipstick.

Wet n' Wild Cherry Bomb $2.29

You know what I love more than the perfect dark red lipstick? Paying under $3 for the perfect dark red lipstick! If you follow my articles you know I have raved endlessly about the Wet n' Wild MegaLast lipstick collection, I own every single shade, and I love them with all of my glitter and glossed heart. These under-appreciated little gems are pure opaque color and stay on until you decide they should come off. Cherry Bomb is a particularly wonderful shade of darkest brown-based red that I think would be flattering on almost any skin tone. If you find Cherry Bomb at your local drugstore grab two, you will thank me later.

Gerard Cosmetics Lipgloss in Seduction $24

If full blown lisptick isn't really your thing, then feast your eyes upon this lusciously laquered gloss by Gerard Cosmetics in Seduction. Obviously the color is to die for, but I love the packaging of this product as well! The gloss tube has a mirror mounted to the side that is super handy for re-applying, but the real kicker is the LED light that turns on once you unscrew the cap on the gloss. Perfectly lit gloss application in the darkest corners of parties and dim clubs. Genius! 

So there you have it! Some awesome and unique ideas that will set you apart from all of the red-lipped and smoky-eyed clones at your holiday party. What look is your favorite?

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Still not sure what you're wearing to the holiday party? Find out what looks are hot for the holidays in the POPSUGAR video below!