As a child, I always thought the holiday season revolved around one thing and one thing only—presents. I would never pay attention to social gatherings, resigning myself to a corner and pouring over a brand-new game on my Nintendo DS. But as I grew older and was introduced to the wonderous world of the working class, I came to realize just how many social obligations there are. From family gatherings to high school reunions, the holidays are teeming with opportunities to reconnect with loved ones, as well as opportunities to show off some stunning new looks!

Read on for 5 super easy (and affordable!) makeup looks that are perfect for your back-to-back engagements for the hectic holiday season.

The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but this look stole our hearts! Get into the Christmas spirit and watch the clock tick down in a simple yet standout green lid to add a subtle pop of color to a glowing base—perfect for those wanting to try something fun without going too big and bold. Ace your base and cop Jess’s flawless, dewy skin with the right primer.

Try out our latest find from Tony Moly: a moisturizing primer that gives dry skin an extra boost of moisture! For eyes, I recommend this popping palette from Rimmel London; take the yellow all over the lid first and blend out, then lightly layer on the green until you’ve reached the depth that you like. Though Jess isn’t wearing it in the photo, you can always choose to add a  little of the green shimmer on top for that extra va-va-voom! Finish it off with a nude lip and you’re good to go! While many nude shades seem to wash some people out, the Claim to Fame lip crayon, as well as the full line of lippies from AboutFace, is specially formulated to complement the Filipina skin tone. Bonus: AboutFace donates P5 to PAWS for every item purchased! Perfect for giving back (but also spoiling yourself) over the holidays!

It’s the ho-ho-holidays, so what better look to do than a festive red lip? While Raiza intended this look to be a Sabrina Spellman-inspired Halloween look, I personally think it suits the Christmas season perfectly as well! For this spell-binding red look, this mahogany red shade in the Jewel Edition palette is perfect. Simply take it all over the lid and under the eyes, but don’t forget to smoke it out well lest you end up looking like a red panda!

Then, add on some voluminous lashes to bring extra definition and drama. For lips, I especially love this velvet matte lippie from SKIN by John Robert Powers; it has great pigment, but never feels drying on the lips because of its mousse-like texture. Plus, it can double as a blush if you blend it out just right! I suggest popping some onto the back of your hand first and then gently build it up on your cheeks until you reach your desired pigment.

I’ve been going on about the greens and the reds for the holidays, but a great nude look is stellar any time of year. Heart Evangelista proves just how elegant this stunning monochromatic nude look can be—especially if you want to play it a little on the safer side while maintaining a classic elegance for the office! This eye look may look intimidating to create, but I promise it’s doable with the right tools! This palette from Pink Sugar has all the nude shades you need: a tan transition shade, a deeper brown for the crease and under the eyes, and a golden shimmer for the center of the lid! Top that off with a delicate wing, then swipe on a nude that’s closest to your skin tone. The HD line of Pink Sugar’s bullet lippies offers some great nudes to choose from; I recommend checking out Butter or Naked!

We all know barkada reunions during the holidays means a lot of (responsible) drinking, so why not beat them to the punch with an adorable drunk blush? Start off with Ellana’s famed blur primer for a flawless matte base that’s sure to make your look last the whole night. Go in with your favorite foundation, then try one of our local faves—the Painted Cosmetics Clay Blush. What I absolutely love about this blush (aside from how affordable it is) is that it can double as an eyeshadow, which is perfect for creating Tricia’s monochromatic peach flush! Finish off the look with a touch of tangerine from Detail Makeover. This super affordable tint packs a lot of pigment that really STICKS; no need to worry about constantly retouching for photos here!

We love how this look on Ylona Garcia makes a subtle no-makeup makeup look pop! The added graphic white line makes it the perfect look to wear at any of your parties, whether it be a batch reunion, a thematic white party, or just a dinner out with the fam. Start with a smooth base using your favorite foundation then go in with this Cathy Doll contour kit to warm up and lightly define your face. Take this white liner pencil and carefully follow just slightly above the crease (to avoid having the liner smudge around when you blink), lightening the pressure towards the tail of the line to create a subtle wing effect. Then, finish it off with beautiful, fanned out lashes courtesy of our award-winning lash fave from Maybelline and voila—you’re done!

Julia Benito

Julia is Calyxta’s resident crazy plant lady with an unstoppable caffeine addiction and an ever-increasing love for glitter eye shadow. When she’s not staring out the window mulling over the correctness of her grammar, she can be found drawing on eyeliner, watching anime, reading books, or petting strangers’ dogs.

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