With Christmas Eve being tomorrow (gasp!), I’ve put together a few easy ways to take your holiday look to the next level (does anyone else dress up for Christmas Eve?!). Most of these are cheap and can be done last-minute, but they make a huge difference!
1. Put a bow on it
Tying a bow onto a blouse is a really easy, no-fuss way to transform an outfit. I own this tie-on bow from NastyGal, but a regular ribbon or a sash from the craft store will have the same effect (you can even buy a yard of black fabric and cut your own). Don’t be afraid to get creative, too… I added a bow to a plaid shirt (below) for a really festive look. I also love this bow headband for your hair!
2. Highlight your eyes
This is a super easy way to add some glam to your usual makeup routine… Apply a white eye highlighter pencil to the inner corners of your eyes for an instant lifting and brightening effect. I own this eye highlighter by Jane Iredale and use it whenever I want to add an extra “oomph” to my makeup. This one is particularly great because it has a white shimmer side and a pink shimmer side… I use the white in the winter and the pink when I have a tan during the summer! It really does make your eyes pop.
3. Rock a Red Lip
My favorite way to instantaneously turn a look into a “festive” one is to add a red lip. I live and die by bareMinerals “call the shots” – it’s the color I have on in the above photo and my go-to red lip color! I don’t even own any other red lip colors because this one is perfect. One tip for great-looking lipstick: apply lip balm with a Q-tip approximately 30 minutes before applying your lipstick. The Q-tip acts as an exfoliator to slough off dead skin, therefore making your lips smooth and moisturized before you put on your lippy color!
4. Add fun tights
A simple black dress can look completely different with a pair of fun printed tights. I love, love, love the gigantic polka dots on this pair.
5. Paint your Nails
Not only is painting your nails an instant mood lifter, but it can also add some holiday cheer to your outfits. My go-to nail polish this season has been Essie’s “double breasted jacket” because it is the PERFECT Christmas-y red color. To take things up a notch, I love to add glitter polish to a manicure. You can do one “party nail” (paint your fourth fingernail with a glitter polish) or get really creative and add glitter to them all. I’m loving this nail look for New Year’s Eve!
6. Try Falsies
I save false lashes for really special occasions if I want to look my absolute best (like NYE!). They can give your eyes a bold, dramatic look without any makeup at all. I really like these because they are simple and natural-looking when they’re on. They also make glitter lashes and a bunch of fun holiday sets at the drugstore.
7. Curl Your Hair
Curling your hair is a simple thing that can instantly dress up your look. I love big, bouncy curls for Christmas-time! I use the ISO Beauty 25 mm curling wand to curl my hair and I’m a teeny bit obsessed with it. It’s the only curling wand I’ve ever used or owned, but I’m not even tempted to try out another one. It’s amazing (and a really good price too)!
8. Add Some Bling
Whether it’s a blingy necklace or a bedazzled sweater, I love the glamour that just a hint of sparkle can add to an outfit. You can easily dress up a simple outfit with some fabulous earrings or a statement necklace.
What are your favorite ways to glam up a holiday outfit? I’d love to hear! And Merry Christmas Eve’s Eve!
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I love your skirt in # 7!
The Starving Inspired
These are great tips! I always pull out the red lipstick and green/red nail polish to add a little holiday cheer to my outfits. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Happy holidays:)
Shall We Sasa
I would love to see a tutorial on how you achieve your curled hair! I recently got a NuMe curling wand and I'm struggling on how to get the perfect curls!
xoxo, SS
http://www.TheSouthernStylista.blogspot.com
Seconded!
She did one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKIbygLTYfA
So beautiful pictures – love your hair 🙂
Brini
http://brinisfashionbook.com/2014/12/22/winterlook-graue-jacke/
Great tips! I think a red lip can make any outfit a bit more festive!
xo, Scarlett
The Trendy Chick
I love painting my nails red and with glitter!
sartorialsarah.wordpress.com
I love the neck ties you have added to some of your looks! Great tips 🙂
xx,
La Joie de Vivre
Great tips!
http://www.FashionSnag.com
So gorgeous!! Perfect as always, I always look forward to seeing your blog posts!
Lovely post! Happy holidays!
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
I painted my nails red for a festive dinner with the boyfriend's parents! Love the bow addition to your outfits! Always look so fab!
xoxo
CvilletoDC.blogspot.com
Love all your ideas! You have great style!
http://www.loveludy.com/
I love the bow with he plaid! So cute!
Heidi D.
http://www.wishesandreality.com
I really love all of these tips, but I think the bow one is my favorite! I absolutely love bows and I had never thought to try something like this!
Mikkaela
great tips
Really great tips, I think I follow most if not all of them not just times I need to dress up but when I'm feeling down and just want to look/feel a bit better! That last necklace is absolutely stunning!
thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com
I am seriously obsessed with your entire blog! It amazing and you can see all the hard work and love you put into it! such an inspiration, thank you for sharing!
xo, Jennifer
Seek Wander Share
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That red lip is so perfect!!!
xo,
Sara Kate Styling
Such great ideas! I might Put a Bow on my Christmas eve outfit tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Kristy
style-blueprint.com
I'll have to try these! I'm just about to paint my nails actually. I'm going to wear red and some glitter!
preppylittlelesbian.blogspot.com
Red lips are like having some superpower!
xo
Printed or Plain
That bow idea is great, I paid a lot for a blouse with a huge bow, but now I actually have ideas on how to add the look to some of my other blouses and shirts. Thanks for the idea.
Dine
http://www.musthaveahandbag.blogspot.com
I have this bow and it keeps falling off! Any tips for getting it to stay on? LOL
The Fashion Forecast
Have a very merry holiday! Love these festive tips. So beautiful!
<3
katsfashionfix.blogspot.com
Great tips, thanks for sharing! Especially love the image of your sparkling red nails with heart shape nail art, so cute and fun!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.wordpress.com
I love all these tips and I'm just in love with all of your pictures!
Giving away up to $50 dollars of monogrammed jewelry on the blog! Don't forget to enter!
Michaela || The Monogrammed Midwesterner
I love all of the plaid, Merry Christmas
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Curls and red lipstick are always my staples, especially during the holiday season. I love the idea of adding a bow to a button-down – that's such a cute and unique idea, and gives a classic shirt a fun twist! Plus, it's definitely channelling a bit of Blair Waldorf, and that's never a bad thing. 😉
Taylor
thegeorgiapeachprep.blogspot.com
Love this post! As always!
xx 5ftave.blogspot.com
very cute! yes, love to dress up for christmas eve as well! by the ways, i think you have an EXCELLENT sense of style!
love, kayesmiling.blogspot.com
Thank you for the ideas, I love the bow ideas. I'm all about bows, and your nail design very nice and simple.
http://love-pink-forever09.blogspot.com/
Agh, such a lovely post! My favorite ways to glam up any outfit (some similar to yours) curling my hair, throwing on some individual lashes, putting on MAC's Russian Red and tossing on anything with rhinestones 🙂
Beautyosaurus Lex
Cozy Christmas:))
http://akvilia.blogspot.com/
Dazzling looks!
The Fashion Forecast
Stunning look babe.
Love the nail color and the skirt.
There are amazing.
Kintan xoxo
http://kintanfashion.blogspot.com