With the holidays around the corner, life is about to become pretty hectic with parties to attend and shopping lists to tackle. But don’t forget that this special time of year is also an opportunity to celebrate your own beauty. Illuminate your look by stepping up your style this season and you’ll be sure to turn heads at every holiday event. It doesn’t have to take much time or money, either. Simply follow these tips.

Get some free expert advice

When it comes to stepping up your style and embracing the season’s latest cosmetic trends, it’s often intimidating to know which shades to select. Thankfully, there’s always a makeup professional waiting to help. One of the quickest, most inexpensive places to seek advice is the makeup counter at your local department store.

To get the most out of a department store consultation, here is some advice:

• Do some quick homework. Pick a brand that’s affordable for your budget and meets your skin care needs. Even though you’re not required to purchase anything at a consultation, you might change your mind. If you’re unsure which brand is right for you, your skin and your budget, you can easily peruse the cosmetic counters and ask the consultants some basic questions about cost and ingredients.

• Make an appointment. Although you can usually get an instant consultation on the spot, making an appointment ahead of time can ensure a better match with the makeup consultant. On the phone, simply explain your style (i.e. if you tend toward a more minimalist look or love to experiment) and the brands you like most. You can also ask for an experienced consultant that boasts great customer reviews.

• Don’t be shy! At your consultation, explain your style and describe your daily beauty routine. This information – like whether you have the time for false lashes or prefer a 5-minute makeup routine – is crucial for your consultant. Also mention what you do every day between nine and five; a college student will demand a different look than a corporate career woman.

• Don’t feel obligated. If you don’t care for the advice, then don’t take it! Also, you don’t have to buy any of the products they use. If a consultant is too pushy or doesn’t “get” the style you’re after, try a different consultant.

• Be open-minded. Lastly, it’s important to maintain an open mind. After all, if your goal is to spice up your appearance for the holiday season, you might need to get out of your comfort zone just a little bit. Take a girlfriend, sister – or anyone who really knows your personal style – along for a second opinion.

In addition to free makeup consultations at the department store, you can also schedule an appointment with an esthetician or makeup artist at a local spa. Although this makeup meeting will cost money, it’s a great way to get professional and expert advice about the cosmetics that are best for your style and skin type.

The shades of the season

When it comes to the holidays, it’s all about feeling fun and festive. Challenge yourself to try some new shades and looks. Here are this year’s top makeup trends to try:

• Lips: Seeing red: This year, embrace red. There’s a shade for everyone – including burnt red, neon, ruby, cherry, velvet and scarlet. Or if you’re not crazy about crimson, glossy hues of peach and apricots are also favored this holiday season.

• Product pick: For lips that light up the room, reach for DuWop Private Red. For a more subtle shade, Jane Iredale PureGloss for Lips - Soft Peach is a playful color that compliments any pucker.

• Lids: Smokey, shimmery and sparkle-y. A sultry, smoky eye brings a bit of sophistication to any look. Embrace silvery shades of blue, sea green and grey. Glossy whites, lavenders and shimmery gold also go great with this look. For more tips on how to create a stunning smoky eye, read this article.

• Product pick: Too Faced Exotic Color Eye Shadow Violet Femme is a rock crystal that shimmers and shines. Feeling green? Reach for bareMinerals Glimpse Eyeshadow Celery to create a soft, smoky look that’s festive, too.

• Lashes: Coated and clumpy. This season, you can forget the standard rules for lashes. A layered, clumpy look is all over the runways. Or, on the other side of the spectrum, short thin lashes are also a hot trend.

• Product pick: Layer your lashes with Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara - Black Ice to create a thick, dramatic look that’s rich, full and festive.

• Liner: Risky and rebellious. When applying your liner, consider a chic style that’s a little bit rock and roll. Pencil your liner straight across the eye, ignoring its natural curve for a rebellious, stylish look. Or, smudge dark liner along the bottom lashes and create a dramatic slope along the upper lid. And, if you’re feeling the holiday spirit, reach for a liquid gold liner.

• Product pick: Create a dark, dusky and perfectly smudged look with Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner - Stingray.

• Cheeks: Flushed and fun. Pastels, including all shades of pink, peach and orange, are in this year. Opt for cream blends with a subtle, frosty shimmer.

• Product pick: Look pouty and pretty with Colorescience Retractable Blusher Brush - Blushing Bride or dust on Colorescience Retractable Blusher Brush - My Lil' Pumpkin for a peachy flush.

• Nails: Light it up. Nail shades are all about being bright and fun. Consider a shade that compliments your eye color, or reach for a bold shade of bubblegum or bright yellow.

• Product pick: For a holiday green, paint on butter LONDON 3 Free Nail Lacquer Dosh, or for a brilliant sun-inspired shade, reach for SpaRitual Nail Lacquer - Enlightened Soul.

Take your hair up, up, up and away

For holiday hair that’s the talk of the party, don’t be afraid to try a style that’s a bit more sultry than usual. Consider wearing your hair up so that you can show off a plunging neckline, sparkly necklace or gorgeous pair of earrings. If you’re not sure which look is best for you, you can always ask your stylist at your next haircut. He or she will be able to provide some expert advice for fun, festive styles that complete your look.

• Beautiful braids: This season’s trendiest hairstyles include braids of all kinds. If you have long, fine hair, consider twisting several small, tightly coiled braids into a high bun. Or for thicker locks, create a single tousled, loose braid that drapes down your back, or combine two side braids into one thick braid.

• Product pick: For beautiful braids that stay in place all night long, spray on Rene Furterer Finishing Spray - Instant Hold before you leave the house.

• Pretty ponytails: Flat iron your hair and pin it up into a low ponytail at the very base of your neck or wear it high and sleek. For a tousled look, apply some mousse to damp hair and scrunch your strands to create texture. Then curl random pieces, pull hair back into a loose ponytail and spray with hairspray. Instead of parting your hair down the middle, try a dramatic part down the side.

• Product pick: Protect hair from frequent holiday styling by using a high quality ceramic flat iron like CHI Air Expert Classic 1 Inch Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron - Silver Bullet.

• Stunning buns: For a sophisticated holiday look, embrace the bun. Messy buns are a great holiday look for longer hair. Wear it low to one side, with tousled, curly tresses. Or wear the bun low in the middle, and pull some pieces out of the front and curl for a soft, laid-back look that’s still party appropriate.

• Product pick: For gorgeous, oversized waves reach for big-barreled curling iron like CHI Air Texture Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron 1.5 inch - Fire Red.

• Sleek and sophisticated. Whether you wear your hair up or down, a wet, sleek look is a hot trend this winter. This unique style blends a bit of masculinity with your feminine side, and is a bit more polished than the previous looks. Coat your hair with a shiny, long-lasting gel. Then create a straight part down the middle or to the side, and pull it up in a tight chignon or sleek, straight ponytail. For shorter hair, simply slick it back with a wide-toothed come and wear it down.

• Product pick: Create a gorgeous glossy style with Alterna BAMBOO Shine Silk-Sleek Brilliance Cream. This high gloss cream will smooth down fly-aways for a super-chic, slicked-back look that lasts for hours.

Embrace some festive accessories to finish off your holiday style. Consider velvet headbands, black ribbons or sparkly barrettes.

Bottom line: Festive, fun looks you love

This holiday season, experiment with your look. Take a break from your holiday shopping and belly up to the makeup counter for some expert advice, or talk to an esthetician at your local day spa. From bright berry lip color and peachy cheek stains to perfectly messy ponytails, have fun with your festive, holiday appearance.

See also:

12 Months to Transform Your Skin: New Year’s Resolutions You CAN Achieve!

Hot Trends for the Cool Holiday Season

5 Tips for Winter Skin Survival

Top Five Styling Tips for Curly Hair