Festive Makeup Essentials 2017 : The Christmas & New Years Edit

My makeup routine stays pretty much consistent all the year round. Each of us has a go to look right? I usually go for kajal and neutral shade most days. But come december and I find myself getting drawn to the festive colors more and more! Red and Glitter...I think that pretty much sums it up :D

So here are my top picks for 2017... I reached for these on Christmas Day and will surely be going for them till the end of the month or maybe till mid Jan even! Take a look :)

1) Nails

As I mentioned previously red or glitter....or even a combination of both! I am currently loving the Nykaa Red Matte paint (I use a clear top coat over it in case I want glossy nails). Maybelline Colorshow Glitter Mania in Gold is an absolute fave in all festive seasons. And lastly the Colorbar Glitterati in Disco Gold - looks great worn on its own or layered over the red! I am also quite partial to a deep maroon/burgundy this time too, but do not have one in my stash at the moment ( mental note to get one soon!)

2) Lips

Red lipstick. Nothing comes close to this! It wouldn't feel like Chirstmas without it. Pull it out on New Years Eve or 1st Jan to welcome the new year.
Mac Ruby Woo is such a classic, you cannot go wrong with it ever. It is bright, popping and looks great on everyone..and it lasts super long (which is great with all the holiday munching you are going to do). If you are not fond of this, I recommend you try MAC Russian Red (which is a lot richer) or the L'Oreal Collection Star Freida Pinto (swatched here).
If you like something darker, MAC Diva is my all time love! 

3) Eyes

With that bright/dark red, I like to keep the eyes simple and clean. Obviously I reach out for my neutral shadows. Maybelline The Nudes palette can see me through day and night quite easily. I like the variety of eye looks one can create with this. Clean matte eyes, a bit of shimmer, smokey look..it can see all. The matte brown in here also comes in handy as an eyebrow powder!  

The Face Shop Triple Eyes is quite handy to keep in your handbag if you want something basic on the go. It has a shimmery shade as well, which you can pop on for that little touch of bling for night outs and parties. The Sleek Oh So Special palette is also a good one. It has a deep purple, a grey and some other tones in if you want something different. 

I am sneakily adding in a Mascara - Maybelline The Falsies or Maybelline Lash Sensational and an eyeliner (for a classic winged eye red lips look) here. Maybelline Colossal felt tip liner is absolutely wonderful!

4) Glow/Highlighter

Having a flawless base is important, but I think getting that glow is even more essential! To be honest, I like the "glow" all year round, not just this time. 

I swtich between a cream/liquid and a powder one depending on what kind of look I want. 

A liquid one gives a very natural lit from within kind of glow - perfect for the daytime. Revlon Skinlights is an excellent one and I was using it for years. Smirit recently introduced me to the Maybelline Master Strobing Cream and it is equally good!

You can also mix a couple of drop of the liquid higlighter in your foundation to get an all over healthy look. 

When it comes to powders, nothing beats theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer! It suits all skintones, looks absolutely lovely especially in the evening. This will see you through all the parties! 

You can even layer the liquid one with a powder highlighter if you want some extra jazz that can be seen from the moon itself! 

5) Fragrance

According to me, things are not complete unless you spritz on some perfume! You have gotta smell nice. WMy favourite winter pick would easily be Ricci Ricci (that does not mean I don't reach for it other times). It is one of my absolute favourites. It is a grown up womans scent easily. It is feminine, seductive, mysterious, sensual...those are the words that come to my mind immediately whenever I sniff this one. Perfect for date nights or other social parties as well! 

Of course, a perfume is a personal choice, so you might not like this one as much. So pick whichever one you like :)

What are your Festive/Holiday Picks? Let me know! 

xoxo,
Swati