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The holidays always inspire me to get creative with my makeup routine. Whether it is trying a smokey eye or a pop of red on my lips, it’s fun to add a little something something to the mix this time of year. That being said, I am clueless when it comes to makeup. I always love the idea of doing something special but I never know how to master the look. This year I decided I would have some fun and recruited my friend and makeup artist, Vanessa Valliant, to help! I love Vanessa because she really strives to make you feel like the best version of yourself. She believes in natural beauty products (although we used a mix!) and really focuses on letting your inner beauty shine through. 

We will be sharing three separate makeup tutorials and the first one is how to achieve that perfect holiday glow. I learned so much from this tutorial and love how it turned out!

We started with a fresh face and and Vanessa prepped my skin with two products: Bioderma Sensibio H2O water and Glossier Priming Moisturizer. Here is what Vanessa says about them:

Skin Prep with Bioderma Sensibio H2O Water. Amazing French brand and a cult fave among pro makeup artists, this micellar water breaks down any residue on the skin prior to skincare prep. Also product is amazing and gentle for removing makeup, even waterproof mascara!

Glossier Priming Moisturizer. Warm the product between your fingertips and apply in an upward motion from neck to forehead. Really work the product into the skin and massage until your skin is fully hydrated. This priming moisturizer is not only buildable if you feel you need another layer but it helps to blur imperfections and leaves your skin with a lasting glow.

Vanessa applied the moisturizer with a brush so more was absorbed by my skin.

Typically I start my beauty routine with foundation but Vanessa started with my eyes. She used this Tartlette palette in Amazonian and used the color Super Mom to brighten my eyes. Lightly dusted with a fluffy eyeshadow brush over my lower eyelids. She then used an angled eyeliner brush to press the Multitasker color into my eyelash line for a subtle eyeliner.

The highlighter is the best part for achieving that perfect glow! I was surprised to learn that Vanessa puts it on underneath the foundation to create an inner glow. Here is what she used and what she had to say:

I believe in creating a glow from within on the skin. Apply the Too Cool For School highlighter (color is pearl) on the cheeks, bridge of nose, center of forehead, chin and cupids bow. I love this product, it not only creates a radiant glow but is also has hydrating benefits. Applied with MAC #109 Small Contour Brush.

Next she applies Honest Beauty Everything Cream foundation (in Linen) evenly across the skin. Here is what she used:

Cream foundations are a life saver! By buffing into the skin with a mini buffing brush it gives it an airbrushed finish. Not only does this product fill in any texture on the skin but also gives a very natural satin finish to mimic skin. Start around the nose, eyes, forehead and chin. Be sure to blend over the eyelids to even out the skin tone.  Buff in an outward motion without re-applying for the most natural finish. Skin is meant to be seen and highlighted, not covered up. Buff gently over the highlighted areas to allow that glow to come through for a radiant finish. Select a color based on your skin tone, match to your neck and chest.

Apply with a Beautyblender. Spritz Fix+ from M.A.C Cosmetics on the beautyblender and add a bit of foundation. Buff into the skin in a circular motion. The beauty blender is an amazing tool to apply foundation, when saturated a bit with product it mimics the skin and has a glowing finish. When wet the product sits on top of the sponge and the black blender doesn’t stain compared to the pink beauty blender. A favorite in my makeup kit!

Why Fix+ over water? Fix+ has hydrating benefits and soothes the skin with a blend of chamomile, green tea and cucumber extract.

Conceal after foundation. This will allow you to see if you actually need a concealer and if so how much coverage you actually need. Stila Aqua Glow Concealer (used color “light”) is hands down my go to for everyday wear. It is buildable, semi matte which is important to not highlight the texture under the eye area..the only area of our skin that has no pores. Be gentle and begin with a pin head sized amount, tap in with you ring finger or a fluffy eyeshadow brush.  Blend over discoloration or to add a highlighted pop to open up the eye area for a more awake look.

Vanessa then applied bronzer and followed it up with a setting powder. Here is her favorite: Chanel’s hybrid cream gel bronzer is hydrating for winter months, drier skin year round and has a glorious glowing finish. Start under the cheek bones by the start of the ear and brush in an upward motion blending the product down toward the apple of the cheek. This glow is amazing on the skin gives a natural beach toned bronzed look without being too over powering. Buff into to the outer areas and the jawline for a more define look.

For those of you with oily skin, RMS Beauty Un-Powder has light reflecting properties and absorbs oil. Buff the RMS Beauty Un-Powder around the nose area, center of the forehead and the chin area for a finished look. A little goes a long way with this product.

Powder in the brows is not only more natural but this Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo gives you a highlighting option. Use the lighter of the two to start and blend up with an angled brush to created a highlighted effect. Wipe off the brush on tissue and go back in with the darker shade to add depth and coverage to the brush. Always brush out with a spoolie after to blend and be sure the brows aren’t too overpowering. Brows frame the face and yes I do brows last to see how deep I want to go in color, the messier the better…remember they are sisters not twins. Color used on Liz: Dark Warm Brown

Apply blush to the upper cheek bone and blend outward. I used Urban Decay After Glow 8 Hour Powder Blush in Fetish for a pink/brown tone. This blush is not only long wearing but it sheer to the skin and allows the highlight from below to come through. Select a shade that best suites your skin tone.

We used a swipe of Benefit They’re Real Mascara in Black on Liz’s eyes. 

For a natural, every day look, we used Honest Beauty Sheer Lip Crayon in Chestnut to finish off the look. I love this glossy finish because it really accents your natural lip color!

There you have it! The perfect holiday glow! I really do notice a huge difference when applying the highlighter below my foundation. It makes the glow more even and radiates throughout my face. Also, newly obsessed with Honest Beauty lip crayons!

For more tips, be sure to follow Vanessa on Instagram of visit her blog (so many good tips)! You can shop all of the products she used below. 

Cleanser: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Water
Moisturizer: Glossier Priming Moisturizer
Eye Palette: Tartlette Palette in Amazonian
Highlighter: Too Cool For School Highlighter
Foundation: Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation
Application: Fix+ from M.A.C Cosmetics + Beautyblender
Concealer:  Stila Aqua Glow Concealer
Bronzer: Chanel’s Hybrid Cream Gel Bronzer
Finishing Powder: RMS Beauty Un-Powder
Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo
Blush: Urban Decay After Glow 8 Hour Powder Blush
Mascara: Benefit They’re Real Mascara
Lips: Honest Beauty Sheer Lip Crayon in Chestnut

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