Color Me Pretty!

It's only natural that around the holidays, all women will want to sparkle. But after all that Christmas rush, trimming the tree, fighting for your life in the mall crowd or just staying up late packaging the presents to be given or shipped, you might not feel very pretty. In fact, you may want to hide behind the Christmas tree. But hey, do not despair! To have the inner sparkle and feel good about yourself, the key could be looking festive.

Here are some make up tips to get you started.

Skin and Cheeks

It's winter and we all know that skin tends to be affected by the low temperature and the wind. So be sure you hydrate your skin so you won't look too "dry". In case all this holiday running around has been tiresome and your face seems to reflect that, start by patting a concealer under the inner corner of your eye. My advice is to use your ring finger (for the right amount of pressure) and pat, not rub. Continue by applying the concealer dotting any other blemished areas. Apply the foundation (if you must) using a make up sponge for an even coverage and therefore, a natural look. Avoid the mask effect by blending well at the jaw line. Finish by dusting with a luminescent powder that contains the subtle sparkle that you need.

The cheeks must not be neglected as you probably want a festive glow. Be careful with it though because you might look silly if you put on too many glow. Try a sheer rouge or a cream blush for easy blending. Also, a nice idea for a Christmas present could be a skincare kit. Just go here and maybe you'll find a suitable gift for one of your friends or even for yourself.

Eyes

Didn't anyone ever tell you that you have pretty eyes? I bet it happened to you at least once in your lifetime. In this case, wouldn't it be a pity not to bring more attention to them? You see, beautiful eyes are unforgettable.

No matter of your eye color, you have to pull attention to the shade of your eyes and not to the eye shadow. Try to choose the right eye shadow that enhances your own shade. Do not hide your eyes by putting on the wrong eye shadow. As such, if you have blue eyes, go with lilac, lavender, and hues of brown (camel or taupe) for those will make your eyes look more blue. Green or hazel eyes follow the principle of "complementary colors"- pinks, deep mauves, lavenders, rich plums and eggplant shades that provide a more vibrant appearance.

Brown eyes are very easy to complement as any color, be it lighter or darker than your own brown, will attract attention to your eyes' brown shade. But if you really want to standout, go with shades of blue, steel blue/gray, plum and eggplant.

Always start with a shadow base to hold your color and prevent creasing (check out the products from Guerlain, Elizabeth Arden, Mary Kay and Max Factor). This season's colors are vivid and glitz so I suggest you try as a base a softly shimmering beige and then use a good brush to add a lovely hue of brown as Lorac's "Reverie", "Inspiration" or Matrix Eyesilks.

Next, apply a very deep brown in the crease, slightly upward and outward to produce a "lifting" effect. You can use a glimmering shade to add a bit of luster by dabbing it a bit on the center of the lid. You can also be dramatic if you're attending an evening event. How? Try a golden hue with just a hint of sparkle for your shadow and add flair by using a liquid liner so you'll create the cat-eye shape. Curled lashes, intense black mascara and you're all set.

One more thing, this is "the year of the brow"- but I'm referring to the sophisticated and manicured brows, not to the bushy ones. Use a pencil in the same shade as the one of your brows and fill in any sparse areas with tiny and short strokes. If you want to obtain the "wide awake" eyes effect, use a colorless brow groomer and brush upward. You will surely notice the difference. Just for inspiration, check out this link.

Lips

The trend is red lipstick…it does match the Christmas holiday. If you have a warmer or olive tone of the skin, choose a red with a golden undertone. If your skin is fair and even pinkish, try a red with blue undertones. True reds are hard to find so if you find one of this kind out there, grab it! Try Max Factor's Flame…I think that is pretty. Also, be aware of the fact that red lipsticks look lighter and brighter on your lips so make sure you pick the right one by assuring there's enough light in the store you're buying it from or bring a friend along to give his opinion so you won't end up looking like a circus freak.

If you don't like how red lipstick looks on you, you can always go for a more natural color. In this case, I advise you to accentuate your eyes. I found some beautiful pictures to help you get the idea! Take a peak!