{Beauty Tuesday} Happy Holidays! Part 5

It's finally here: the Big Week. We survived the apocalypse, and now it's time to party. I hope you had a very merry Christmas, and here's to the happiest of New Years!

{FADE IN, FADE OUT}

Question 1: Are you classy?

Question 2: Is there a possibility you will be seen by other people?

Question 3: Would you like to look pretty?

If you answered, "Yes!" to one or more of these questions, this look is for you. It's a simple, impossibly quick way to fake believably full lips. Key word: Believable. There's no use in having a permanent duck face.

Apply a rosy, glittery gloss to the whole surface of the lips. In the center of the mouth, dab on a lighter pink, equally glittery gloss. Blend the edges together with your ring fingertip, then use it to tap on a loose white or pink shimmer eye shadow to the very center. Smack, but don't rub, lips together to ensure even distribution, then don't mess with it! And try to avoid an overdose - things of this nature can become very messy, very fast. Dust a matte beige shadow on upper eyelids, then finish with black mascara and soft pink blush.

{STARRY NIGHT}

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that those 3D nail sticker things actually do work, and they're super easy. For high impact without being too flashy, box the drama into just the ring finger nail on each hand.

Paint each nail with a clear base coat. After this has dried, carefully place the correct-sized sticker on your ring finger nail and press down to get rid of any air bubbles. Use nail clippers to hack off the inch of extra sticker that nobody's nails should ever be long enough to use, then file excess down to the shape of your nail. Paint all other nails with two thin coats of midnight blue polish. Once these layers have dried, apply a top coat to all nails (including the one with the sticker) and allow to dry. Touch up the end of each nail every other day or as needed.

{GOLD RUSH}

Although I'm fair-skinned, my complexion is warm and therefore I have a hard time pulling off silver. If you are cooler-toned, more blue-based shades will work better for you.

Smooth a shimmery shadow primer evenly all over the lid, from the lashline to the browbone and down to the lower lids. Then, pat (don't brush) a metallic gold eye shadow onto the lid using a slightly dampened fluffy brush or your ring finger. Dry the brush and blend shadow out past the brow. Create a wing on the upper lashline with black eyeliner, omitting liner on the lower rims. Finish with black mascara and a bit of peachy blush on the cheeks; leave lips bare.

 {GRAPE EXPECTATIONS}

If you'd prefer to wear this look with a little less intensity, you can opt to use a more sheer formula or roll your ring finger across the lipstick and pat it onto your lips instead of applying directly from the tube.

Prep lips with a sugar scrub and a layer of non-waxy lip balm. Swipe on a deep purple lipstick straight from the tube, blot with a tissue, and repeat. Add one last layer of color and clean up the edges with a lip brush and/or a little concealer. Use nothing on the eyes but curled mascara; a pinkish blush will prevent a ghostly aura (especially if you're as exceptionally pale as I am).

In the way of staying healthy and fit, I have but five highly accomplishable pointers for you.

1. Shovel the walks. If you don't have snow, mow the lawn or rake the leaves or run around the house four times.

2. Collect all the candy and treats you received for Christmas into one place, and indulge in one piece each day. This makes your stash last longer and keeps you from just eating whatever random thing you find, when you find it.

3. Consume Vitamin C and drink half your weight in water. Keep the bug away this season - it's a nasty one.

4. Dance on New Year's Eve. Burn calories + have fun + make friends.

5. Don't drink. My apologies, but alcohol is sincerely not good for you. If you must choose to partake, I personally forbid you to drive. I don't care who you are. Nobody can be physically healthy when they're dead. Just making a point here. Other than that...

Bonne année!