Photography by Valorie Darling 

Robe: Victoria’s Secret

Makeup Pouch: Gigi NYC

The holidays are the best time of year to amp up your beauty routine. I love a red lip, extra long lashes, and some shimmer! I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of my favorite products – both my daily staples as well as the perfect beauty gifts for your girlfriends, sisters, moms and of course, yourself.

GIFTS:

This glamorous eye, cheek and lip palette is the perfect stocking stuffer. Lip gloss sets are always a safe bet for beauty gifts – this Laura Mercier set includes five pretty shades. This Aerin’s Brush Essentials set comes with a sweet case and pastel pink-lacquered brush handles. Charlotte Tilbury’s lip trio offers creamy red, pink and nude shades. Diptique’s Vanilla Candle warms up any room and is a lovely hostess gift. This Tory Burch travel case is the perfect size to fit into a purse.

LIPS:

What’s better than a December red? My favorites right now are Nars Shanghai Express and Armani Rouge Ecstasy in 400 Red for a splurge, and Maybelline Red Revival for a steal. All are flattering deep reds that pair well with winter outfits. I love Dior’s lipstick in Rose Basier and wear it often – it’s a ladylike purple-pink that’s surprisingly close to my natural lip color, just deeper and more saturated.  My go-to glosses are always Nars in Sweet Revenge and Bobbi Brown in Petal, which my friend Julia turned me onto. Bare Minerals’ lip liner in NUDE is perfect under gloss or before lipstick.

FACE:

I use Smashbox Photo Finish to prime my skin. For foundation, it’s Armani Luminous Silk (in shade 5.5) now and always (if you find anything better, please let me know because I swear I will be using this for the rest of my life!) It photographs beautifully and never irritates my sensitive skin. I use Bobbi Brown’s Blush in Nectar. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer will cover any dark under eye circles and I like to dot it down the center of my nose for contouring. Bobbi Brown’s Illuminating Bronzer in Bali Brown has a beautiful subtle shimmer.

BRUSHES:

I swear by Bobbi Brown’s brushes – they’re durable, soft and a decent price point. My staples are use her Bronzer Brush, Blush Blush and Eyeshadow Brush. If you want to try them out, I recommend her Basic Brush Collection (on sale!). Bobbi’s Mini Brush Set is also a great gift.

I love using big kabuki brushes for foundation instead of flat ones.  I love the airbrushed effect it gives (and it goes way faster – who has time to paint their entire face with a concealer-sized brush? I never understood this!) I decided to try Tarte’s Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush after watching Gigi Hadid’s interview on Into the Gloss. It’s a bit too big for traveling or my on the go makeup bag, but I love it when I get ready at home. (Otherwise I still use and love my Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush).

EYES:

I adore BUXOM mascara. I love the large brush size and how it evenly coats each lash without clumping. I find that many expensive mascaras dry out before I can finish the bottle, but this formula stays intact! I also like Diorshow Blackout, which I layer an extra coat on over BUXOM at night for spidery lashes. Here’s a holiday party trick – to sparkle in candlelight, use your finger to tap some Bobbi Brown’s Sparkle Eyeshadow in gold over  whatever shadow you’re wearing.

My go-to holiday palette is NARS God Created the Woman. It has everything you need for a brown smoky eye, but I also like using the lighter shades alone during the day. If you’re looking for a seriously glamorous Christmas present, get this gorgeous Tom Ford eye palette. It’s admittedly the most money I’ve ever spent on an eye palette, but the packaging is beautiful and the pigments are so rich and long-wearing and it lasts forever. I have green eyes so I love it in Orchid Haze, a mix of violets. The Golden Mink palette includes foolproof golden-brown shades that work on everyone.

SCENT:

I try to wear a scent everyday  – I love the extra personality and warmth it gives you when you walk into a room. During the holiday season, I feels like it’s especially important as the final touch to your look. There are so many great deals on mini-sized scents this time of year, so take advantage and buy a couple to try out and gift to others! My go-to is Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb, and I’ll be gifting Tory Burch Eau de Parfum and D&G Light Blue. I’ve been wanting to try out My Burberry.