Happy holidays, my friend! Let’s see… I’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room (Still waiting for Tabs to knock it down; it’s an annual ritual.), half a box of Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Stars in the cupboard and holiday music playing in the background. I’m feeling festive, to say the least. 🙂
The other day I was thinking about easy ways to add that holiday feeling into my makeup looks without going all out — or, as I like to call them, holiday makeup hacks.
Whether you’re going to get your tree, hitting the mall to do some holiday shopping or just spending time at home with friends or family, adding any one (or combination) of these products into your regular makeup routine is an easy way to show your festive flair.
And what’s really great is these are all long-wearing, so you can pop one on and not have to worry about touching up for hours.
The products in the video…
- NARS Eye Paint in Tatar ($25)
- MAC RiRi Hearts MAC Holiday Lipstick in Pleasure Bomb ($16.50; launches tomorrow on maccosmetics.com)
- L’Oreal Le Matte Lipsticks ($8; these are a little hard to find online, but check your favorite drugstore because they’re great)
- Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Midnight Cowboy ($19)
Uh…I’m still getting used to being in front of the camera and figuring out little technical things about lighting and what to do with my hands when I’m talking and that I should have used another hair clip…
Please pardon my nervousness. I dunno… It’s like I see that little red record light go on, and a switch goes off in my brain that instantly turns me into a complete and total nut, but whatevs! I’ll just keep working on it, and hopefully, eventually, I’ll feel less like of a freak show, haha.
Thank you again for watching!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I’m loving your videos! It must be stressful and feel super awkward to be talking to yourself but you’re bubbly and fun! Keep it up, it’ll get easier!
Hi Victoria,
Thank you for these encouraging words! It means a lot. I will keep on trying. 🙂
Hope you are having a good week so far. Anything new or exciting happening in your neck of the woods?
A great post (and video)! I was really looking forward to trying those L’Oreal Le Mattes but it doesn’t look like they’ll be coming to Canada any time soon.
They aren’t coming to Canada (I read that somewhere), and they’re LE. They’re probably gone by now anyways (since they were on clearance at Target).
Thanks Ling!
Hi Karen,
I thought the video was great! And holiday tips like these are so helpful this time of year. The glitter is great, don’t worry. I love gold eyeshadow this time of year, I dunno, I think its festive (lol).
Happy hump day!
Hi Natalie,
I love gold eyeshadow too. One of my faves to wear! Do you have any must-have golds? My all-time favorite is MAC’s Woodwinked.
Great video Karen!
Thank you!
Aww Karen, I totally understand what you mean about that damned red light. Your nervousness was actually kind of endearing and I could tell you were getting more comfy as the video went on ^_^ I loved your whole look in this video though and I think that lipstick color is the one I’ve been searching for for two years now!
Hi Joanna,
This was such a nice thing to say, thank you. 🙂 SO, the lipstick…it’s launching tomorrow online at maccosmetics.com. I’m telling ya, it’s even more beautiful in person. It’s so bright and fun!
If ya want a full breakdown of the rest of the products in this look let me know.
hi karen!! i love that lipstick color! one that i don’t yet have!! 🙂 what do you have on your eyes? and what foundation are you using on this video?? thanks!!!
Hi Rachel,
Pleasure Bomb is so fun. One of the stand-out colors from the RiRi Hearts MAC Holiday collection, for sure.
So, eyes and foundation…
MAC Bamboo Eye Shadow (lids)
NARS Tatar Eye Paint (upper lash lines)
MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl (lower lash lines)
Clarins Be Long Mascara (upper and lower lashes)
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC40 (central panels of the face) and NC40 mixed with NC42 (forehead, jaw and chin)
I just recently rediscovered Studio Sculpt again. I wore it for a really long time then switched over to Face and Body for a while, but now I’m back in love with it! It has a really pretty satin finish. What foundation are you using/loving these days?
i truly appreciate the breakdown of your face karen!! i’ve never tried Mac Studio Sculpt before! i’ll try to get a sample next time i’m at a mac counter (hopefully some time this weekend) since I do prefer my foundation to have a satin finish. i recently just got the YSL Touche Eclat foundation, and so far it’s a keeper for me 🙂 For everyday though, I usually use Nars’ tinted moisturizer and MUFE pro finish on top!
Pleasure bomb looks awesome on you!! i thought about getting it too since we have the same skin tone, but when i saw it swatched somewhere, it kinda freaked me out a bit! it looked too pink for me 🙁 i’ll have to try it on at the store i guess before deciding.
I do have Nars Tatar on my cart right now at sephora! i loved how it looked on your eyes!! hope i can make it look as great as you did on yours 🙂
I don’t have Mac bamboo yet! have to swatch that too this weekend!
thank goodness tomorrow is payday! haha!
Wow! It’s so different hearing your actual voice, I think you did a great job on the video here 🙂 I’ve been thinking about breaking out my Maybelline Vivid Rose for a bight lip!
Hi Lauren,
Thank you. 🙂 I’m tryin’…hopefully I’ll get more comfortable as I do them more.
Love the name of your Maybelline lippie. Sounds like something I would like.
Hope you’re having a nice week so far.
You’re so fun to watch Karen. And I need that UD glitter I think. I have wanted it before but now I’m sold 🙂
Hi Agata,
UD Midnight Cowboy will rock your world. It’s such a beautiful gold!
How have you been? Are you having a good week so far? It’s SO COLD here in the Bay Area. I’ve been freezing all week long.
I just got an Ulta gift card for my birthday and a $10 off coupon from Ulta so the Midnight Cowboy will be literally free, lol.
I have been ok, kinda lonely cause hubby’s gone to Canada for work but he is coming back today 🙂 I am sure your cold is not as cold as Michigan cold, it’s supposed to be 23 degrees on Saturday! You’re a spoiled girl!
Soooo I saw your MAC new brushes video and I was wondering if I ever saw that you were in video before and NOW I realize you never were!!! You were soo cute and bubbly!!!
Thank you, Yari! I hope you enjoyed the MAC brush video. 🙂
Beautiful. And great ideas 🙂
Thank you Vanessa! 🙂 Happy holidays!
aww you were adorable! its funny hearing your voice because when i read your blogs i can picture a completely different voice, weird i know lol. but its different in a good way you sound so young and sweet in your videos. 🙂
i also thought you looked gorgeous! that side brain and bright lippie are a beautiful combo 🙂
Hi Yelena,
LOL, I get that comment a lot about my voice for some reason. Sometimes when I hear it in vids I can’t believe it’s mine!
Thanks for the compliment on the hair, by the way. Do you ever wear side braids? It’s like the best lazy girl hairstyle ever.
oh the side braid is my go to hair style now. so easy and fun and if your hair is already blown out it can look very sleek and sophisticated paired with the right make up and outfit.
today was a really bad hair day (humidity is not helping down in nola) so up it went into a side braid. I love it!
Dude! I didn’t even realize you were nervous until you said you were! You look so cute in the video-that make up is lovely on you (plus the braid!)
I love glittery eye liners for holidays-i have this black+khaki color from Milani-it’s super cute-it’s borderline glittery/more like macro shimmer, but very, very cute and wearable!
DUUUUUUUDE. I was super nervous! I figure if I just keep at it, though, I’ll eventually start feeling comfortable. At least that’s my hope…
Anywho, thanks for the Milani rec. I love blackened khaki shades like that so it sounds like I need it in my life, ASAP. 🙂
By the way, your nephew kitty is here on my lap. He sends his regards.
Yes, yes-get that eyeliner! Purrfect for a cat eye ;). Purrs back @Tabster =^.^=
What i like about your videos is that your excitement about makeup and the products comes through! It feels genuine and fun!
You are adorable! Thanks for the great holiday hacks! 🙂 Muchos bel grande love to you and Tabs!
Hi Kristen,
Thank you! Sending you soooo much love back. Tabs sends purrs and head butts.
Great holiday tips at this time of the year ^_^
Thanks, Gowthami!
Ooh! I have nars tatar eye paint and I think that I will pair it with the Nars pure matte lipstick in Carthage which is a lovely matte pink!
Sounds like the perfect combo, Ki! Love it. 🙂
Happy holidays!
Really loving all the videos you’ve been doing!
Hyeaaaaaash, a video! And I loved it 🙂 I just realized this is the first time I hear your voice. You picked some fantastic holiday hacks.
My lame work blocks YouTube so I can’t watch your vid but the part about your kitty made me laugh. My naughty boy peed the new tree skirt the first day I put it out =(
There aren’t enough occasions when it’s socially acceptable to wear glitter, gotta do it while you can!
I did a sparkly purply eye look last night with the Laura Mercier Artist Palette for The D Show (Detroit advertising awards, it’s like our Oscars) and that was pretty fun!
We have our first Christmas tree this year, our last apartment wasn’t big enough to have room for one! No one’s knocked it over yet, but Quincy likes to nibble on that and the tree skirt, and Jiji likes to bat at the ornaments. Bad boys!
I. LOVE THIS VIDEO!!! So many great product recommendations, and to be honest, when I read your blog I just read it in that in-my-head voice, so hearing your voice is SO INTERESTING because it’s usually just your photography and writing, but now it’s come full circle in video form, and now I am babbling and making no sense, lol! But seriously I love glitter liners- I like throwing them on the bottom lash line for a little sparkle!
Karen, you are so fun to watch! I’ve been following your blog for a few months and wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing – and now your videos too! And you made me smile at the thought of ‘cat liner’! Happy holidays 🙂