Thursday, December 3, 2015
This post is sponsored by Ulta Beauty + People StyleWatch. 
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Can you believe it? The holidays are officially upon us! Who's ready to party!? Whether you're hosting your own or attending a few, as always, your girl has got you covered to help survive the holiday parties with a guide of my favorite beauty products. From kisses under the mistletoe to preventing flashback in photos to getting that stain out of your skirt - quick!, it's all here:

Tip #1: Let's take a selfie! Make sure you look your best all night long with a great primer, foundation and finishing powder that doesn't have a white cast with flash photography.

My favorite primer is Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water ($32). It's very lightweight and creates a nice, smooth, long-lasting base for your foundation. Honestly, any of Smashbox's Photo Finish primers are amazing for photography in general. The primers also come in a variety of different types (light, pore-minimizing, color correcting, etc.) for different skin types and needs.

My favorite foundation for flash photography is Stila Stay All Day Foundation ($44). The best thing about this full-coverage foundation is that it lasts all day (and night!) long without budging, caking up or creasing all the while still looking fab in flash photography. When looking for a foundation that won't give you a flashback, look at the ingredients and make sure to stay clear from foundations containing "titanium dioxide" and "zinc oxide".

Lastly, you'll need to use a finishing powder to set your foundation! Most powders contain mica or silca that can reflect light and bounce it back at the camera, causing the dreaded flashback. I found a great finishing powder is the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder ($34) in your coordinating skin color. I'm a huge fan of Tarte's Amazonian Clay collection and found that this was no exception. It's so silky smooth and doesn't crease throughout the day and night. The transparent setting powder from Tarte is also great as well but I recommend using just a little and then setting with a setting spray. With any "transparent" setting powder, it's always a good idea to wet the powder so it doesn't reflect light back at the camera, just in case.

Tip #2: Prep your lips for a night full of action - whether it's under the mistletoe or getting seconds from the food table (I'm the latter!). To get smooth, soft lips, I like to exfoliate my lips while getting ready!

Just rub the lip scrub on your lips before getting ready for the night. Once you're done with your makeup, rub your lips together one last time and then wipe off. Your lips should be nice and smooth! Using an exfoliant is also great when you're wearing a matte lipstick as it gets rid of the dryness that matte lipsticks love hold onto, creating a crumbly look and feel. My favorite lip scrub is the Tony Moly Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub ($9.99). I mean, how cute is that packaging!?

Tip #3: When looking for a lipstick that'll last all night long, I always think of the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks ($24). The colors are so gorgeous and smooth on the lips. I never experienced bleeding or feathering, even going into the wee hours of the night. My favorite colors are Beso (a bright red) and Pantina (a dusty nude mauve)!

PS. These babies don't transfer on contact, if you catch my drift! ;)

Tip #4: Looking to rock curls or waves for the night? Sometimes they're hard to hold - literally! Without the proper hot tools and sprays, my hair is dunzo and pin straight by the end of the night. SO frustrating! My favorite hot tool for waves and curls is the Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver S1 ($129). Not only does this curler basically do all the work for me but it cuts my getting ready time in half! For even longer lasting powder, once you release your curl, pin it to your head with a bobby pin to cool.

Don't forget hair spray! My fave for a great hold that'll last all night but won't give you a crunchy or heavy feel on your hair is the RUSK W8less Shaping and Control Hairspray ($13.50)!


Tip #5: It happens. We're in a rush getting ready and - blamo! - liner on our favorite shirt! My favorite stain remover? Simple Cleansing Micellar Water ($7.99)! Not only does it get makeup off our faces (and does a killer job, at that!) but it's also a great stain remover. It's tough enough to get the stain out but gentle enough that it won't ruin your clothes. Just take a cotton ball, saturate it with the Micellar Water and place on the stain. Try to dab or (very!) gently rub. It should take it right out!

Note: Please use your own discretion when using this to remove a stain. While I don't think it would ever do harm to it, always test a little before using it full-on.

 Tip #6: The best way to survive a holiday party? Relax! I'm known for freaking out before a big party and have noticed that even little things can seem big when in reality if I remain calm, it's not that bad.

A few hours before the party starts, take a bath (or shower) and just slowwww down and take a deep breath before everyone gets there. A fab bubble bath that'll that'll get you in the holiday spirit is the Philosophy Vanilla Bean, Nutmeg Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath ($18)! This smells ah-mazing, guys!

Tip #7: Keep a few of these in your bag for quick clean ups! Maybe you forgot to wear waterproof mascara and have been crying from laughter. Or maybe your gloss smudged. ULTA Beauty Double Tipped Cotton Swabs ($1.99) to the rescue! They can get in tight areas (like your lower lash line or lip line) to wipe away smudges without ruining the rest of your look.

Tip #8: Shots, shots, shots! Girllll, the morning after, you're going to need these (and maybe some asprin)! The SKYN Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($30) are amazing at de-puffing the under eye area! They also help firm and reduce fine lines so it's really a win/win/! Sit back, relax and pop these babies on.

Alrighty, my loves. I hope I've helped you with some great tips on how to survive holiday parties! Have lots and lots of fun, remain calm, be safe and make sure to bookmark this post in case anything pops up! ;)

You can find all of these products at your local Ulta Beauty or Ulta.com!

This post is sponsored by Ulta Beauty + People StyleWatch.