<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"8 Holiday Party Makeup Mistakes to Avoid\\nIf your goal is flawless makeup from a party&amp;#39;s start to finish, this is the list you should check twice. Follow these tips to avoid the year&amp;#39;s biggest holiday makeup mishaps.\\n\\\"Don't use any large-fleck glitter\u2014it reflects too much light and tends to look childish,\\\" says makeup artist Troy Surratt. \\\"If you want some shine, an eye shadow with small shimmer flecks will catch the light in a subtle way.\\\" (He likes __Nars Single Eyeshadow in Night Fairy.__) Sweep it on lids and at the inner corners to brighten your face.\\nWhile excessive shine is no good, a total lack is just as bad. \\\"Light reflection on key points of the face gives an aura of health,\\\" says Surratt. The trick is applying shine strategically rather than all over. \\\"Using a blush brush, dust a powder highlighter on the highest parts of the cheeks and the tip of your nose to create the illusion of a chiseled bone structure,\\\" says Surratt. (He recommends __Mally Shimmer, Shape and Glow Face Defining System in Peach Fair__ for light and medium skin tones, and [Love Is Deeper](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/mally-face-defining-system-love-is-deeper) for dark skin.) When you're using shine on your cheekbones, stay away from shimmery blushes and bronzer\\u00ad\u2014it's overkill.\\nHoliday planning is all about the details, and a knockout nail color should be at the top of your to-do list. For an update on classic red, try the high-shine [M.A.C. Nail Lacquer in Shirelle,](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/mac-nail-polish-shirelle) which was used on nails at the spring 2011 Gucci show. Or go edgy with __Dior Vernis in Black Sequins__ or [Priti NYC Priti Polish in Bowles Black,](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/priti-nail-polish-bowles-black) black polishes with silver sparkles.\\nWhen it comes to beautiful, bold mouths, it's important to know how far to go without crossing the line. That's why makeup artists backstage at fashion shows often pat on lipstick with their fingers so that the edges aren't obvious. If lipstick bleeds into very fine lines around your mouth, apply a lip liner that matches your lip color.\\nTo prevent your liner and mascara from flaking and smudging, start by coating lashes with a mascara primer (Surratt recommends __Shu Uemura Lash Repair)__ and choose water-resistant or humidity-proof mascara\u2014waterproof tends to stick like tar to the lashes\u2014and a smudge-proof liquid liner. (Surratt recommends any __Lanc\u00F4me mascara,__ \\\"as they tend to be really water-resistant,\\\" and [Shiseido Makeup Automatic Fine Eyeliner,](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/shiseido-fine-eyeliner) which has an all-day, smudge-proof formula.)\\n\\n\\\"Use a small brush so mascara is carried evenly from lash line to tips. Large mascara wands can deposit too much product on the lash and are harder to control,\\\" says Surratt. After applying mascara, brush through lashes with a lash comb, like the [Tweezerman Folding iLashcomb.](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/tweezerman-lash-comb) Surratt also recommends using a marker liner, as they dry faster than liquids and are more smudge-resistant than a pencil.\\nAgain with the shine! It's good, it's bad, it's confusing! Here's the deal: What you don't want is a superoily T-zone or forehead\u2014it kind of ruins your strategically placed cheekbone highlighter. Wash your face with a gentle, pH-balanced face wash, and use a [Clarisonic Classic Sonic Skin Cleansing System](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/clarisonic-skin-cleansing-system) for extra cleaning power. \\\"It will break up congestion, remove oil, and exfoliate,\\\" Surratt says. Then, plan the rest of your makeup. \\\"Avoid highlighter in your T-zone, where your skin's natural oils often shine through,\\\" says makeup artist Mally Roncal. (Roncal prefers [Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Poreless Primer,](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/mally-perfect-prep-primer) to bring a matte finish to the skin.) Blotting papers are a great quick fix, especially the plastic-y kind that won't mess up your makeup or leave your face looking cakey. (Surratt loves [Boscia Blotting Linens,](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2011/boscia-blotting-linens) which come in mild scents like __Lavender__ and [Green Tea.](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/boscia-blotting-linens-green-tea))\\nFlakes of snow: Magical. Flakes of dry skin? Not so appealing. But as cold weather turns your skin dry and even raw, the flakes will come and makeup won't stay put\u2014unless you exfoliate and moisturize. On your face, use a scrub with round beads every couple of days. (We like [Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion.](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/facial-scrub/2012/dr-brandt-microdermabrasion-skin-exfoliant)) Follow with a thick cream containing ceramides.\\n\\nFor lips, exfoliating makeup-remover wipes are a good, gentle option. (Try [Pond's Clean Sweep Original Wet Cleansing Towelettes.](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/ponds-original-cleansing-towelettes)) Follow with a creamy lip balm like [Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15, ](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/skin/2010/fresh-sugar-lip-treatment) and be sure to reapply throughout the day.\\nWe know it's the season of silver and gold, but those things just don't mix on your face. \\\"Gold is warm and silver is cool,\\\" says Surratt\u2014so only one of them is going to look good on you. Silver shadows and highlighters look better on fair skin tones, while warm golds flatter darker skin. Try [Cl\u00E9 de Peau Beaut\u00E9 Satin Eye Color in 115](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/cle-de-peau-satin-eye-color-platinum) or __Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Five Golds.__ For a less expensive option, we suggest [L'Or\u00E9al Paris Wear Infinit\u00E9 Studio Secrets Professional Eye Shadow in Pure Silver](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/loreal-paris-eye-shadow-singles-pure-silver) and [Revlon Luxurious Color Perle Eye Shadow in Sparkling Gold.](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/makeup/2011/revlon-eye-shadow-sparkling-gold)"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.allure.com/gallery/holiday-makeup-mistakes-2010?slide=3>