Today was kind of a hair fiasco for me. I had to get Janey off to school earlier than usual this morning so I quickly crimped my hair and threw it into a messy bun.

This worked for the first few hours of my day but when it came time to update the 7 Days of Holiday Looks feature, I realized it was just NOT the look I was going for:

I pulled my hair down, parted it on the side and fluffed it up with hairspray. The girls said I look like a “freakshow” and my hair is “frizzy and out of control”— but I am totally fine with this hair. It’s the messy, flyaway look, right?

Totally appropriate for the holidays!

MAC Party Line Lipstick ($14)

The highlight of my second holiday look (aside from the hair, obv) is this gorgeous plum-red lipstick from MAC called Party Line. It’s a cremesheen finish and is a great cool-toned holiday red.

Le Blanc De CHANEL Sheer Illuminating Base ($45)

This primer by CHANEL is white in color but don’t be afraid. I brush a light layer of this on my skin with a foundation brush and then mix a drop of it with my regular foundation for a really pretty glow. It’s kind of a pain to take an additional step with primer, but it truly helps to keep foundation looking fresh longer. For special occasions, like the holidays, it’s totally worth the extra effort in my opinion.

NYX Smokey Look Kit ($8)

Can I just say that this little smoky eye palette from NYX is the best $8 you’ll ever spend on makeup? I am so impressed with the color selection and I truly love how my eyes turned out. I used the two matte colors, a dark brown and a black, to create my smoky eyes today. With most of the color concentrated near my lash line, it’s just enough drama to make my eyes stand out without competing with the red lips.

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara

This mascara remains one of my favorite beauty finds of the year. If you’ve heard me say it once, you’ve heard me say it a gazillion times: I LOVE HYPNÔSE DRAMA.

Bree’s Look, Day 2:

Bree opted for a less bold, shimmery gold and plum hued-eyes for her second holiday look. It’s hard to see in this photo but her skin is glowing from this pretty highlighting powder.

Estée Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder

This golden shimmer powder is so light and pretty. Bree brushed it over her cheek bones and across her forehead and chin for a subtle holiday glow.

Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad with Lattice Pattern in Lavish Plum

These plummy neutrals warm up Bree’s face without looking too “done.” These shadows can be layered for a stronger intensity and more vibrant color.

CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara

LashBlast remains Bree’s favorite mascara (the waterproof formula) and I’m hard pressed to even suggest she try anything else. Whatever works, right?

Bailey’s Look, Day 2:

Bailey dressed up her eyes today in shimmery green shadow to match her forest green scarf. She wanted to duplicate the same hairstyle she received at the salon yesterday—big flowy waves with lots of volume.

bareMinerals Eyecolors in Soiree and Freedom

These green eye shadow glimmers are so easy to apply and super pretty. Bailey used the bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer to create an emollient base before applying the loose shadows.

NYX Goddess of the Night Lip Gloss in Perfect

I can’t believe I haven’t tried NYX glosses before this week. The colors are so glossy and pretty, and not sticky at all (a MUST for me). The yummy scent of these glosses remind me of a favorite gloss I used to wear as a kid but I just can’t put my finger on it. Any ideas?

Sue Devitt Eye Illuminator Pencil in Epernay

Bailey used this highlighter pencil in the corner of her eyes and along her brow bone. The creamy formula blends easily and can be layered for more intensity. This season, Sue Devitt has a limited-edition Holiday Kit that includes THREE eye intensifier pencils (including the one Bailey used today).

Thanks to our friends at Sue Devitt, we have FIVE of these sets that we’ll be giving away! Leave comments here and be automatically entered to win (enter as many times as you’d like). Winners will be randomly drawn at the end of our 7 Days of Holiday Looks feature.

Good luck and check back tomorrow for more holiday looks!

________________

Dec 16th UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Here are the winners of our Sue Devitt Contest–

#1–Delyana
#27–Dana
#29–Crystal P.
#76–Carolina
#115–Maggie S.

Your names were randomly selected to win these Sue Devitt eye pencils!

Please send me an email to beautyeditor@makeupbag.net with your mailing address.

Happy Holidays!

Starting today through November 30th, Lancôme is offering a FRIENDS & FAMILY discount of 20% off plus FREE shipping!

I will be stocking up on my beloved Lancôme Hypnose Drama mascara. What are you getting?!

*Enter promo code HOLIDAYJOY2 at checkout.

This Liquid Light from Mally Beauty has me extremely intrigued.

It’s always fun when cosmetics companies create new and innovative formulas, and Mally is always surprising me with clever new applicators, products and inventions.

This liquid eye brightener boasts a powder-to-cream formula that bursts upon contact with skin to create a cool, creamy sensation that makes it a breeze to glide radiance all over your eyes, cheekbones, legs or anywhere else you’d like a kiss of radiance.

On another note: Mally just gave birth to a baby girl called Vivienne last week! Now Mally has THREE DAUGHTERS (just like someone else I know!)—congratulations and best wishes to Mally and her beautiful family.

Mally Beauty Liquid Light Eye Brightener is available in two shades for $25 each from QVC.

What’s not to love about this fabulous Ponte dress in classic cream and white?

Okay, okay, I know – it’s sleeveless! The mere sight of it sends a shiver down my spine (30 degrees does not mix with sleeveless, people!) but it’s not necessarily a summer dress, which fills me with hope that it would look flawless paired with a black sweater.

The gently folded collar looks beautiful with the feminine, flattering silhouette of the dress. The crosshatched pattern is icing on the cake, livening up the sheath shape with some classic-with-a-kick fun.

Muse Print Ponte Knit Dress is available from Nordstrom for $148.