Don Arnold/WireImageWhether we're looking at red carpet photos or around the room at our own holiday parties, we find that the holidays seem to invoke the "I want to try a really over-the-top, glitter-heavy makeup look" mentality in everyone. Listen, we're all for adding a little festive sparkle, but competing with the Christmas tree is never a good idea.
We let out a collective sigh of relief when we saw this photo of Rose Byrne at the "Sydney Rushes To The Boxing Day Sales" event in Sydney, Australia. With strategically placed eyeliner on the upper and lower lash lines and neutral eye shadows, the minimal eye makeup made Ms. Byrne's brown eyes appear larger and brighter.
We loved her glowing skin paired with a healthy dose of rosy cheeks and mauve lips. Also, did you notice your eyes immediately go to her bold, yet natural-looking brows? That's right. That's how to do it.
Get the Look: To get Rose's bright smooth skin, start by exfoliating with an enzyme peel like Philosophy The Microdelivery which has both lactic and salicylic acids, natural enzymes and a fruit acid complex to deeply exfoliate the skin. This will immediately make pesky fine lines and imperfections look less visible.
Follow by applying a hydrating, brightening moisturizer like Eminence Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer and let it dry and absorb for at least five minutes. Next, apply a primer to remove shine, fill-in pores and fine lines, and ensure your makeup lasts the entire night.
Once primer is set, use a light to medium coverage bb cream like Boscia B.B. Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 27 PA++, which will give you natural-looking coverage while nourishing your skin. Tip: Don't be fooled by the SPF in bb creams and foundations. Dermatologists say you should use at least a teaspoon of sunscreen on your face so you must supplement with a separate sunscreen.
After covering dark circles and redness with concealer, apply a shimmery rose powder blush like NARS Blush in Taos to the apples of your cheeks, pulling upwards towards your temples for extra lift. Further accentuate your cheekbones by swiping a highlighter along the top of your cheekbones.
To copy Rose's ultra-flattering eye makeup, prep lids with primer or concealer to ensure your makeup doesn't absorb into your skin. Next, cover the entire upper eye area with a cream or flesh-colored eye shadow like Bobbi Brown Bobbi's Essentials Eye Shadow in Ivory.
Then, use a light brown matte eye shadow like NYX Cosmetics Nude Matte Shadow in Underneath it All in the creases, which will make eyes appear larger and make lids look less puffy. Apply the shadow in a back-and-forth windshield wiper motion, extending out into a V-shape with the outer corners of your eyes.
After you blend the eye shadow with small circles to soften any lines, apply a highlighter below the brow bone. Next, apply black gel eyeliner like Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner along both the upper and lower lash lines, connecting the two lines at the outer corners. Finish the eye makeup with 2-3 coats of your favorite volume-building mascara.
To get Rose's bold yet natural-looking brows, fill in any sparse spots with a brow powder one shade lighter than your own brows. Then, use a spindle to brush upward and blend. Complete this makeup look by applying a mauve lipstick like Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Blushing Mauve.
We encourage everyone to try this makeup look when you're preparing for your New Year's Eve party. If you insist a little extra oomph, try substituting the black eyeliner for a jewel colored eyeliner like blue or purple. Just remember that if you decide not to heed our warning, expect your mom to get back at you for making fun of her ugly Christmas sweater when she gets a load of your gaudy glittery makeup disaster.
If you're a beauty addict, Janna will be your enabler. Just an occasional user? She'll be your bad influence. Visit her blog at mybeautybinge.com and indulge!