So, the holidays are right around the corner – which means eggnog, binge-watching cheesy rom-coms, boatloads of baking, and my most favorite – winter makeup. It’s the only time of year where I feel I can go full-glam and be a bit bolder with my choices. Plus, since parties will be happening online this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to test new looks and perfect the classic ones – case in point: a bold, red lip.
I spoke to Calgary-based makeup artist Megan Johnston who has fully mastered this holiday makeup look. She gives us the full breakdown, including insider tips only a pro like her would know. Read her step-by-step guide below:
Products mentioned:
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Garnier Ombrelle (optional)
IT Cosmetics Brow Pencil
L’oreal Infallible Fullwear Concealer
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer
Benefit Cookie Highlighter
Mario Badescu Facial Spray
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Foundation or Maybelline 24-hour Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter
L’oreal Infallible Shaping Contour Stick
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara
Ardell Naked Lashes
Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush
Maybelline Great Lash (Clear)
Bite Beauty Lip Liner (Burgundy shade, discontinued), substitute with NYX Slip Lip Pencil in shade “Burgundy”
NYX Slide On Lip Pencil in “Summer Tease”
Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Craving Coral
Ardell Naked Lashes
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
Easy Holiday Makeup Look Guide:
Step #1: Prep + Protect
Like any look, prepping the skin is a must to boost hydration and keep makeup looking fresh all day. Start by taking a small amount of magic cream and gently massage it into your skin. Megan swears by this moisturizer to keep her skin glowing; as for the scent- she’s obsessed. If this a daytime look, she recommends applying sunscreen as well to keep skin protected.
Step #2: Eyes + Brows
For the brows, take a brow pencil and lightly add strokes to sparse areas, then brush through using a spoolie to create a more natural look. To enhance definition, take concealer and apply it to the bottom of the brow, and blend.
Next, take a damp beauty blender with the same concealer and tap it over the eyelid to act as a base. Use setting powder and sweep across the lid.
To make the eyes pop, apply bronzer into the crease using a small eyeshadow brush. With your ring finger, tap highlighter into the inner corner of your eyes and blend.
Pro Tip: For the liner, Megan recommends using a brown eyeshadow as it gives a softer, subtle appearance. Start by spritzing an angular brush (her’s is from Michael’s) to get it moist, then dip it into a dark brown eyeshadow and begin to create lines as close to the upper lashes as possible.
For the wing, turn to the side of your face. Looking at the outer eye corner, notice the lower lash line’s angle as it moves upward and stamp it using the brush. Connect this line to the remaining ones on the lid for a seamless look. Clean up any mishaps using concealer.
Coat the top lashes with mascara or apply some falsies for extra volume. Naked Lashes by Ardell are her new favorite, she says. They give a natural look yet still open up the eyes.
Set the undereye area with setting powder using the ring finger to pat in the product gently.
Step #3: Create An Even-Toned Canvas
Using the same beauty blender, apply foundation to your face. It’s important to keep in mind “less is more” when it comes to this step– you can always go in with another round if needed. To brighten, take Flawless Filter and apply it underneath the eyes and to the forehead’s center – blend.
Next, take a contour stick and sweep it over the face where you want to add depth, like under the cheekbones, hairline, and jaw. Buff it out using the beauty blender.
To cut shine on the face, take Laura Mercier’s powder and apply it all over with a broad, fluffy powder brush.
Step #4: Lips
Take the burgundy lip liner and line your upper and bottom lip.
Pro Tip: Bring the liner down onto the lip region to help boost longevity.
Using Summer Tease, repeat the same process – this will help marry the two liners to give a blended effect.
Once completed, swipe lipstick over the lips. For a bolder finish, go back and apply a second layer of the NYX liner.
Step #5: Finishing Touches
For the eyes:
Go over the eyeliner once more using the same angled brush and brown eyeshadow.
Using a short, stippled eyeshadow brush, buff the color into the lash line and extend it to meet the wing.
Apply mascara to the bottom lashes (optional)
For the face:
With a tapered brush, lightly apply bronzer to the cheeks’ hollows, forehead, bridge of the nose, and chin.
Take highlighter and sweep over the high points of the face. Including the tip of the nose and above the brow bone. (Extra step: apply highlight below your eyebrow arch using a small tapered brush.)
Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and the eye crease for extra cohesivity.
Complete the look by misting setting spray onto the face.
