Plump your lips

Since green and red are the most prominent Xmas colours are, we should definitely use that to our advantage, and make red lipstick a must this season. Not only will the shades of red make you look extra festive, it will also give you that femme fatale look that you want for this season. Choose a perfect shade of red – if you don’t want to break the bank, there are great drugstore red shades. However, since red lipstick and red wine tend to colour the dry pieces of your lips even after you remove the makeup, make sure to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin every couple of days. This is best achieved by using an extra-soft toothpaste and rubbing the lips gently. Once you’re done with this, cleanse the lips with lukewarm water and you’re ready for the next lipstick session.

Accentuate your eyes

Combined with the aforementioned red lips, the smokey eye is a must. However, for the holidays, you would definitely want a soft smokey eye – so if you don’t own a grey eye pencil, go get one as soon as possible. If you choose a grey pencil instead of a black one, you will soften the look of your eyes. Also, don’t forget to smudge the lash lines. If you want to try something more festive, there are great eye pencils in various colours that will be great for this season. If you combine nude eyeshadow with green, blue or purple eyeliner, you’ll definitely be shining. 

Nevertheless, if you want your eyes to look perfect, it is of the utmost importance that you make sure they are not red or swollen. Your eyes tell a lot about your lifestyle, and if you are sleep deprived or you are drinking and eating too much, it will definitely show. A good concealer is a saviour in such situation. Opt for a long lasting product with great coverage like POLA Silfique Concealer Palette. You can use two different shades to camouflage those dark circles. Every two days or so, use cold cotton balls and place them on your eyes. If you have a cold eye gel, even better. Close your eyes and have the mask on for about 10 minutes, and you’ll see the difference.

Pamper your face

 

There’s definitely that holiday syndrome that we have to do too much in such a short period of time before the holidays come. That’s why all that stress can result in bad acne or blackheads, and it’s our job to stop this from happening. First of all, try to prevent this by washing your face with a face soap and lukewarm water at least twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed. If you want to get rid of an already existing pimple – take an ice cube and place it over the pimple for about 5 – 10 minutes in order to reduce the swelling. After that, apply a cream or a gel with a clean cotton pad. Moreover, it would be an excellent idea to visit a cosmetic skin clinic at least twice before the holidays start. That way, you will make sure you flushed all the toxins from your face, and it will be much easier to keep your skin beautiful and fresh afterwards.

Nurture your hair

 

Another thing that has a big impact on the first impression is the hair, and that is why you should always make sure it’s clean and on point. Replenish your hair dye (if you’re using one) a couple of weeks before the holidays so that it looks natural when the series of dinner parties arrive. However, that is not the only thing you should be doing. Since cold weather is on its way to destroy our hair as much as it can, always use a good shampoo and an even better hair conditioner (but make sure it is appropriate for your hair type). Try to soften the hair as much as you can so that it looks soft and beautiful.

Taking care of these four beauty aspects is a must, and when you have these under control, it will be easier to go extra festive with clothes and accessories. Make sure you leave a great first impression in the months to come!

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Guest Post by Amy Mia Goldsmith

1. Instructions
2. Special Ombre Brush
3. Activating Powder
4. Developer Creme
5. Lightening Creme
6. Conditioning Shampoo
7. Gloves

It's my favourite sweater to take a photo with for hair results. Shoosh. Sorry for the messy hair! Haha!

• Easy to apply with the included ombre brush.
• The effect is definitely noticeable.
• Ombre remains for a long time.
• Cheaper than going to the salon (but obviously at your own risk)

Garnier Olia has 60% oils to keep your hair soft while colouring.

The back part of the box has a cutout to create a hole for your bottle to stay upright.

1) Developer Cream 2) Colour Cream 3) Post-Colouring Treatment/Conditioner 4) Bottle 5) Gloves 6) Instructions

• No harsh scent.
• Doesn't sting your scalp.
• Leaves your hair soft and combable.
• Good as a toner to yellow/brassy shades.
• Easy to prepare.
• Consistency is that of a conditioner, and does not stick your hair together.

• Does not dramatically lighten black/dark hair like another brand's similar shade.
• Pricey in Australia ($17.00)

Sorry for the messy hair... Both photos were taken after washing and drying my hair. FYI, my hair colour for my BEFORE photo was Palty's Marshmallow Ash.

• Easy to mix.
• Easy to apply and great coverage.
• Doesn't have a strong and harsh smell.
• The hair solution left my hair soft.
• Reached the colour I somehow expected.
• English instructions.
• 1 package of the product was enough for my medium length and thick hair. 

• Doesn't last long.
• Small amount of the hair solution.
• Expensive (depends on which store, but price range is around $14-25).
• Less vibrant than the cream dye.