Create the Perfect Holiday Look

4 Parts:

Getting Ready for the Rocking Office Party

The Holiday Beauty Guide for Office Parties

Tips and Tricks for the Holiday Office Party

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The season for glamorous parties, sparkle, glitz and glamour is back. It is indeed the season of parties. Most people who worked hard the entire year are definitely looking forward to the string of holiday parties this season. A lot of party lovers are probably shopping and snooping around to create the perfect holiday look for them. If you have already purchased your holiday ensemble,s but are at a loss on how to completely pull off the look, this article will do you justice by inspiring you with some of the season's hottest trends in fashion and beauty.

Sure your colleagues see you in a dress once in a while, probably some simple glam look you are trying, but the holiday party is the time to kick it up a notch. Arrive at the event looking glamorous and be the belle of the ball. Show off a hint of your sartorial skills while keeping everything professional still. From the desk to the party, here are some ensembles that might tickle your fancy.

1. 1
   The Tamed Animal Print

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   Leopard and tiger prints are really perfect for the club and parties; however, when it comes to office parties, too much animal print can be scary. Play off the adored animal print by choosing an unrealistic shade like yellow or red in bold prints. Pair an animal print dress or skirt with a fitted coat and a studded handbag. Check out Solange Knowles when trying this ensemble.

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2. 2
   The Cocktail Presentation

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   Just like a cocktail, you have different ingredients and pieces to make a really tasty and unforgettable drink. Get that same effect, minus the tasty, with a mix of lace, prints and other textures; go corporate with a colored blazer. Try out the new neutral in the shade of pink blush, and finish the look by taking a lacy clutch and pointy toe-capped pumps. Check out Olivia Palermo's style to draw inspiration for this look.

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3. 3
   The Glamorous Pant Suit

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   Look out "Little Black Dress"! There is a new star in town, the black pant suit. Make this glamorous and form flattering by opting for an ankle length pant or trouser. Use it at work with a solid or printed top underneath. When you are ready for the party, replace the blouse with a light colored cami and some chunky accessories. Find Alexa Chung's look with the retro looking brooches.

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4. 4
   The Day to Night Leather

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   While wearing leather during usual working days can be a tad much, during the day of the party, you can get glammed up a bit more by trying a leather pencil skirt. Keep the look conservative by opting for an under the knee skirt, while still being fashion forward with a fabulously patterned rolled neck sweater. Finish it up with a simple necklace and a smile. Find Leigh Lezark's take on this trend.

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5. 5
   The Dressy Tweed

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   The fabric known as tweed is usually associated with professors or someone uptight and boring. Well, times have changed, and even the tweed likes to go to parties. Find a tweed shift dress with some leather detail like a belt to make an office worthy ensemble dressy. Take it up a notch at night by wearing statement heels and a simple leather clutch. Check out Emma Watson's dressy tweed style for ideas.

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6. 6
   The Colorful Dress

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   It is the season to be jolly and you can do just that by sporting a colorful shift dress. The cut is still conservative, but the colors are very much party worthy. During the day, play down the color by wearing a solid colored coat or cardigan which can be removed during the party. Tie it all up with fun earrings and a cocktail ring. Check out Zooey Deschanel for a great way to punch in some color.

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7. 7
   The Simple Sparkle

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   Embellishments are the key to the holiday decorations, so transition this into your party ensemble without looking like a Christmas tree by keeping the sparkle to a minimum. Choose just one piece like a pencil skirt to add the embellishments. Balance out the look by pairing the embellished skirt with a muted top and cardigan. No changing is required since both outfits are work and party worthy. Check out Blake Lively's style for inspiration.

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8. 8
   The Midas Touch

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   The great thing about office clothes is these are staple pieces. One of the must-have pieces in a working girl's closet is the black trouser. Find one with a tapered ankle and pair a simple button up top for the day look. At night simply add a metallic coat and strappy heels, and you are good to go. Find Sophia Coppola's take on this trendy style.

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9. 9
   The Winter White

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   Winter wonderland white in the form of lace is perfect for parties. However, when not styled properly, this can look either matronly or too bohemian. The perfect white lace dress for the office party is a long sleeved shift dress. Wear a coat over the dress by day, take it off at night and switch your shoes to t-strap heels. Complete the look with an envelope clutch for a twist. Check out Jessica Pare's style for inspiration.

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10. 10
    The Supermodel

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    The usual shift dress and coat combo does not have to be kicked to the curb for the holiday season. Update this style by trading in the simple coat into a leather one and adding some statement earrings, a colored clutch and pointed pumps to complete the look. Look for supermodel Kate Moss's style for an idea.

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Now that you have an inkling of the many holiday ensembles you can try, here are some easy makeup tips to go with your glamorous apparel.

1. 1
   Champagne Kisses

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   Play up the champagne hue with a bronzy glow. Give the cheeks a radiant look with some reflective pigments which also sculpt the cheeks, making it perfect for photographs. A trick is to create a dew-rich base by mixing tinted moisturizer with some nude colored lip gloss. Using a blush brush, take some of the bronzer and apply on the cheeks. Highlight the tops of the cheekbones, gently sweeping toward the sides of the forehead. To finish the look, find a luminizer in silver pearl for fair skinned or gold finish for darker skinned individuals.

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2. 2
   Metallic Goddess

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   Save the smoky eye for other occasions. When it comes to the holidays, enjoy something more luminous by using metallic eye shadows. The metallic colors reflect light perfectly allowing the eyes to become even brighter. For individuals with medium to dark skin and brown colored eyes recommended colors include bronze, copper as well as pewter. Start application from the lash line going on to the crease carefully blending out to avoid harsh lines. Afterwards, use the leftover eye shadow on your brush and trace the outer half of your lower lash line.

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3. 3
   Matte Lover

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   The sparkle and dazzle during the holidays might not work for everyone. If you are aspiring for drama and something classy, try applying liquid foundation, brush on powder evenly, line your eyes with black liquid eyeliner and a red lip finishes the look.

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4. 4
   Pop Princess

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   Keep everything else simple during the day, just like you do on normal days. Add something extra when the party starts, by lining your waterline with a shocking pop of color like teal or aqua. Avoid pink color because it might make your eyes look infected.

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5. 5
   Simple Gal

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   If you want your outfit to be the focus, try a fresh faced simple look for the holiday parties. Curl your lashes and apply mascara to accentuate your features and keep it classy by opting for a coral hued lip. Choose the right coral hue for your skin tone though.

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6. 6
   Purple Haze

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   The season's color this year is purple. Add some color to the usual earth tone makeup by choosing a light sparkly plum with black mascara and liner. Keep the rest of the face neutral, like pale pink lips to keep the focus on the eyes.

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7. 7
   Not Black

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   Who says dark lips are only for Goths? One of the trending lip colors for this season is the very dark berry color, one that is close to black. Balance out the look by going for luscious lashes using voluminous mascara and sticking to a matte finish.

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8. 8
   Subtle Smoke

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   If you like the smoky look but think it is too much, use style, but change up the colors using nude and light gray instead of black and dark gray. To keep the subtle look, do not use any eyeliner anymore, and simply apply some mascara.

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9. 9
   Sparkled Lip

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   One of the great things about the holidays is being able to pull off sparkly lips. You can use simple lip gloss, sparkly lipstick or plain lipstick and some sparkly gloss for a festive but sophisticated look. Keep the rest of the face neutral to balance everything out.

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10. 10
    Creamy Metal:

    

    Create a simple metallic look using creamy formula

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    Keep the rest of the face neutral and matte, so the eyes really shine.

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Get inspiration from these gorgeous holiday makeup looks and slowly see your holiday look pull together. However, any outfit and makeup will never look good if you do not feel good. Here are some tips to handling yourself in a holiday office party to finish off the perfect holiday look.

• Be Punctual - Just because it is a party does not have mean you have to be fashionably late. It is still a company event, and as an employee you must show up on time. This gives you the opportunity to mingle with colleagues and be seen by your boss. Remember that this shows you are a responsible team member.
• Drink Responsibly - Again, this is the company party, as much as the management wants you to have fun, being wasted is out of the question. Follow social etiquette by drinking socially; also, if you will be driving home, it is best to skip the drinks altogether.
• Think Before You Speak - Before attempting to be the romantic type at the office party, remember that you will still see that person come Monday. So think before trying anything. Ask yourself if you really like this person. This goes the same way with fighting. Alcohol can make you do strange things; never do anything you are not prepared to face back at work.
• Help Others - If you see a colleague who is drinking too much or doing something they might regret, discreetly speak with them. Do what you can, but never make a scene. They are grown adults after all.
• Rub Elbows - If you are up for a promotion or recognition now is the perfect time to get on your boss' good graces, guaranteed you can back it up come work time.

The next time you are scheduled for the holiday office party, be confident, knowing you will look great, feel great and act swell.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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