Here Comes Glamour Claus: Part I
OK, it’s that time of year again when holiday parties with family and coworkers alike are just around the corner. You are about to be seen outside of the cubicle and in your cocktail finest. We talked to the M∙A∙C daddies of makeup about their latest and greatest to make sure your face does justice to that little black dress. M∙A∙C Cosmetics Senior Artist Gisel Calvillo weighs in…
What trends are you seeing for this year’s holiday season?
We saw a lot of glitter and metallic colors backstage at fashion week in NY, Milan and Paris. I do think a holiday glitz and glam is always the intention.
What are some of your favorites from the new M∙A∙C Snow Ball Collection?
The texture, and shades are so creamy and beautiful they are so easy to blend or use with any basic colors. I love the Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Delicate Drift – it is a pinkish gold hue – as a single color swept across eyelids or a highlight on cheekbones. For the ultimate smoky eye try Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Starry, Starry Nights combined with M∙A∙C’s Eye Kohl in Phone Number swept across eyelids. You can finish look with a nude lip in Holiday Crush, or add a bold red with Rouge en Snow.
Do you have any application tips to share?
All the eye shadow hues have a beautiful metallic finish. It’s easy to combine colors with a neutral brown matte eyeshadow like shades Saddle, Texture or Soft Brown. This helps soften the look. I also love to use Eye Kohl’s first to prep the eye as it is easier to get a great eye shape laying down Phone Number, Smolder (black/grey smoky eye) or Teddy (brown smoky eye) along the lash line. Blending it with 219 Brush and adding your favorite eye shadow on top adds a nice pop to the color. (Available at maccosmetics.com)
We found more new and current goodies to check out for the holidays:
Clarins welcomes in the holidays with their limited-edition 2017 Advent Calendar. The calendar includes two dozen makeup and skincare surprises such as Mascara Supra Volume, Moisture-Rich Body Lotion, Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, Toning Lotion, and many more. Enjoy one every day advent-style leading up to the holiday! Take your guests by surprise with the Holiday Cracker Party Favor. The party favor includes the Daily Energizer Lovely Lip Balm, Beauty Flash Balm, and Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream. Turn your home into a spa with the Tonic Scented Candle. Inspired by the Clarins’ legendary Tonic Body Treatment Oil, the candle combines the aromatic essences of pure plants extracts such as Geranium, Orange, and Spearmint. (Available at clarinsusa.com)
Ulta Beauty opens its doors to their newest Boston location on Friday, December 1st. The new location, at 32 District Ave. in Dorchester, features 20,000 beauty products across 500 brands as well as a full-service salon. In celebration of the grand opening, the first 100 guests (each day) on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will receive a “beauty treat” and can choose from 10% off their first salon appointment at The Salon at Ulta Beauty or first facial at the Dermalogica Skin Bar. Their beauty experts are available for free consultations and customized product recommendations. Check them out in store or online for plenty of holiday exclusives and newbies, such as the new Ulta 12 Days of Beauty (featuring twelve beauty surprises) and the new Burt’s Bees Mistletoe Kiss Kit. The Laura Geller 31 Days of Holiday Eyeshadow Palette is an online exclusive and comes with a free gift with purchase, as does the Benefit Cosmetics B. Right! By The Bay Limited Edition Holiday Value Set. (Available at Ulta.com)
NEWA is an at-home anti aging beauty device that rebuilds collagen to reduce wrinkles, and lift and tighten facial skin using Endymed’s Professional 3DEEP technology. It stimulates the skin’s natural collagen for younger looking skin for both immediate and long-term effect. NEWA treatments are comfortable, safe, and pain-free. (Available at newabeauty.com)
The Commodity 3×3 Exploration Kit is a giftable ensemble that includes a sampling of Commodity’s most-coveted scents. The kit includes a trio of new 2.5 oz soy-based candles and their corresponding 5ml Eau de Parfum travel-sprays. Orris is a blend of sparkling freshness and warm sensuality, Oolong is soothing and warm, and Book is a fresh and woodsy fragrance. They are unisex, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. (Available at sephora.com)
The new Farmhouse Fresh Whole Milk and Goats Milk Soaps are inspired by artisanal fine cheese. The hand-poured soaps include US farm-grown ingredients and are 97% natural. The four varieties include Blueberry Chia Seed Whole Milk Soap, Pistachio Cream Goats Milk Soap, Honey Lavender Whole Milk Soap, and Oatmeal Goat Milk Soap. Their holiday gift set contains eight wedges formed like a cheese round, placed inside an Aspen wood cheese box. (Available at farmhousefreshgoods.com)
SPELA Cosmetics Paint & Play Matte Liquid Lipsticks make a great stocking stuffer. The highly-pigmented hues feature full color coverage and a matt finish. Enriched with Vitamins C and E, the lipsticks feature a soft, non-drying texture and lasting color, along with a vegan, cruelty-free formula. The variety of shades include Happy Hour, a deep rich plum, and Jet Set, a bold raspberry red. (Available at anthropologie.com)
The Artistry Holiday 2017 Velvet Kiss Lip Trio includes their full-sized liquid lip trio in a festive package. The color-rich, full-body formula glides over lips like a gloss but dries to a matte finish. The Brush Set is a seven-piece makeup brush set in a case with room to store cosmetics. The new Eau de Parfum Artistry Flora Chic combines citrusy notes of French Clementine, sweet Bulgarian Rose, and exotic Madagasca Ylang Ylang, for a floral and feminine fragrance. (Available at artistry.com)
Indulge with Hard Candy’s moisturizing bath products. The Hard Candy Bathing Beauties Bath & Body Collection includes hand cream, body butter, body wash, body lotion, body mist, bath fizzer, and cosmetic bag. Scents include Caribbean Fresh Citrus & Tea Leaf and Pinky Peony & Lemon Verbena. (Available at Walmart)
