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We often pull out the sparkliest goods in our makeup wardrobe when prepping for the holiday party circuit, but the danger of slipping from sophisticated, candlelit glow to disco disaster is never far away. While we're all for a straight-up sparkle fest now and then, sleek will always read as sophisticated. This year, dial up just the right wattage with these sparkling ideas from New York makeup artist Deanna Melluso.
Rule #1: Contrast Matte with Sparkle
"If you're torn between a matte and sparkly lip for holiday, you can get both," says Melluso. Start with matte lipstick applied straight from the bullet, she advises. To intensify the shade, create two to four layers: After you swipe it on, lay down one ply of tissue on top of lips and dust with translucent powder—a touch of it will go through the tissue and set the color. Repeat. Finally, "shimmery lip gloss in the center gives the appearance of more volume," says Melluso. Dab it just in the center, leaving the outer edges matte.
The Look
Highlighted cheekbones and shiny lids complement a glittering lip, but a matte T-zone is key for balance. Pat luminizer on the high points of your cheeks, and stroke balm, salve, or eye gloss from your lash line to just below your brow bone. Finish by dusting your forehead, nose, and chin with translucent powder. The tasteful combo of color and glow is "luxurious and ideal for going from office to evening," says Melluso.
Glow Gear
Clockwise from top right:
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick in Extrovert, $32; esteelauder.com
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss in Intense Spice, $26, esteelauder.com
Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting, $52; kevynaucoin.com
Maybelline New York Volum' Express The Colossal Mascara in Classic Black, $7.77; maybelline.com
Black Opal Invisible Oil Blocking Power, $9.25; blackopalbeauty.com
Style credits: Dress: Halston Heritage Metallic Jersey Draped Dress in Gunmetal, $245, halston.com; earrings: Pamela Love Suspension Ear Climber, $190, pamelalove.com; ring: Amanda Pearl Quill Bypass Ring, $160, amandapearl.com.
Rule #2: Go For a Hydrated Shine
For the ultimate radiance boost, mix a luminous skin care serum into your foundation and under-eye concealer. Then define bone structure with cream blush on top of cheekbones, from the apples toward your temples, and cream contour below. Lastly, tap more serum onto your cheekbones. Melluso explains, "It'll give you a breathable and believable glow."
The Look
Bring out your eyes with a gold shadow applied across the lids and into the inner corner. Add to that one coat of mascara. "There aren't many things sexier than a natural-looking, all-over radiance," says Melluso.
Glow Gear
Clockwise from top left:
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer, $26; esteelauder.com
Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Sculpting Contour Trio, $21; sephora.com
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, $62; esteelauder.com
Sisley Phyto-Ombe Glow Luminous Eye Shadow in Gold, $54; sisley-paris.com
Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Patrice, $26; kevynaucoin.com
Style credits: Top: Are You Am I Ceres Top, $249, areyouami.com; earrings: Lila Rice, lilarice.com; ring: ADMK, $24, admkjewelry.com.
Rule #3: Make Smokey Eyes Metallic
Start by applying deep blue eyeshadow with a damp synthetic brush; tap the color across lids and into the creases. To wing the corners, add a dry layer with a fluffy brush and blend out toward your brow, following the angle of your lower lash line. Use the darker color as a lower liner as well. "Sharp edges are too much," warns Melluso. "Soft and effortless is more modern." The hue takes on a gleaming metallic finish with a dry mix of silver and light blue on top, plus silver on inner corners.
The Look
With a bold eye, "piles of mascara" are in order, says Melluso. Give skin a soft dewiness with a liquid highlighter and lips a neutral glaze with a balm or gloss. "A bold smokey eye is the ultimate evening makeup look," she says. "The lustre effect makes it instantly more flattering."
Glow Gear
Clockwise from top left:
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Eyeshadow 5-Color Palette in Dark Ego, $52; esteelauder.com
Estée Lauder Blending Shadow Brush, $33; esteelauder.com
Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Mascara, $32; kevynaucoin.com
Nars Illuminator in Hot Sand, $30; narscosmetics.com
Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Conclear Brush No. 32, $10.79; soniakashuk.com
Style credits: Dress: Wyldr Bold Dress c/o Revolve, revolve.com; earrings: Lotus Jewelry Studio Highwire Hoops, $32.50, lotusjewelrystudio.com; ring.
Credits: Photographer: Matthew Priestley; makeup artist: Deanna Melluso; hairstylist: Sabrina Szinay; wardrobe stylist: Rachel Gilman; model: Tscheca White.
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