When we talk about holiday makeup, we think of something that has shine and glamour, well-prepped skin, contoured eyes and lips.

But holiday makeup needs to be long-lasting, so I recommend cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin well before starting to apply makeup, also to avoid the products from crackling.

I am often asked what primer to apply. But not all skin needs primer. If, however, you have large pores, apply a primer that contains silicone, with small pats, only on the pores, avoiding creating a second layer of skin on your face!

Choose a good foundation to increase durability. Avoid foundations with a high SPF. SPF provides flashbacks in flash photos, leaving your makeup looking whitish and badly done.

Also choose a full coverage concealer, two shades lighter than your skin tone, to create light and dimension on the face.

A foolproof technique for long-lasting skin is to apply contour and blush, in cream, and then seal them with loose powder. Long eyeliner on the eyes and a red lipstick. This makeup is definitely a wild card!

If you prefer something more neutral or don’t have the experience to do more elaborate techniques, such as eyeliner or cut crease, invest in smokey eyes. Apply brown on the outer corner of the eyes and finish with a little shimmer in the inner corner. If you can, apply false eyelashes. They will make all the difference.

Now, if you are one of those people who likes to arrive “causing” at the party… use and abuse glam makeup! Both in neutral tones and with a touch of color. Add sparkles! I love Mac pigments… they are perfect to help create the makeup. Long lashes or only in the outer corners, they are beautiful. When I overdo it with the eyes, I almost always opt for a more neutral mouth. I outline well with a darker nude pencil, blend it and apply a gloss on top.

And don’t forget the makeup fixer.