“Glowing skin is the foundation for your holiday look,” says the national director of creative artistry for Giorgio Armani Beauty, Tim Quinn, whose work has graced fashion runways and the pages of myriad magazines. He’s won an Elle magazine Genius Award and has worked with celebrities including Victoria Beckham, Kerry Washington, Gwen Stefani, Uma Thurman, Olivia Munn and Brooke Shields. He shares secrets with us here on how to shimmer beautifully throughout all of the season’s festivities.
Shimmer and strobe
Although Instagram is all aflutter with contouring, ala the Kardashians, highlighting flatters your features with a glow that can translate to lit-from-within magic in photos. “The strobing trend is on point for holiday,” says Quinn. “Use a light-reflecting illuminator on the high points of the cheekbones and brows. I love Armani Fluid Sheer #2; it’s a champagne tone to create a subtle candlelit glow.”
Armani Fluid Sheer #2, $62 at Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714.540.3233 :: saksfifthavenue.com
Hourglass Holiday Limited Edition Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder, $80 at Nordstrom Fashion Island, Newport Beach, 949.610.0700 :: shop.nordstrom.com
Eye color with sheen
“We are seeing lots of texture this holiday. Keep your beauty look chic by playing with texture on your face,” Quinn says. “For the eyes, a bit of sheen on the lid. Armani Eye Tints are just genius. Apply with your fingertips. Balance with a deep navy liner and lots of mascara.”
Holidays are also a perfect opportunity to indulge in faux-fantastic dramatic lashes. If faux lashes aren’t for you, try a formula that adds volume and length. If you simply must have a touch of glitter, resist the urge to go totally tween and limit this texture to your nail polish.
Armani Eye Tints, $38 at Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714.540.3233
:: saksfifthavenue.com
They’re Real Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara included in the Benefit Cosmetics Pret-a-Party Full-Face Makeup Kit, $49; Tarte Light Of The Party Collector’s Makeup Case, $59; and Deborah Lippmann holiday Roses In The Snow Duo with colors Modern Love and glittery Some Enchanted Evening, $15; all three at Sephora South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714.429.9130 :: sephora.com
Prep your canvas
Beautiful skin is key to beautiful makeup, so keep your skin-care routine suited to your specific needs and seasonal changes. When you’re ready for makeup, prep your skin with a good primer to smooth over imperfections and help you look flawless in the zillion photos people snap with their phones from party to party.
Or, try one of several luminous foundations with built-in, photo-friendly ingredients. “I love the new Armani Crema Nuda,” Quinn says. “It’s skin care infused with blurring pigments that leave your skin supple, balanced and glowing.”
Giorgio Armani Crema Nuda, $200 at Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714.540.3233 :: saksfifthavenue.com
Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Mineral Primer Oil Free SPF 15, $18 at Nordstrom, Fashion Island, Newport Beach, 949.610.0700 :: shop.nordstrom.com
Mistletoe-friendly lip color
“Rather than lipstick and gloss, try Armani Ecstasy Lacquer. One coat gives you long-wear staying power like a stain,” says Quinn. “Two or more coats and you have a vinyl-like lacquer!” Some of the colors have a pearl finish. Try them on to see which effect suits you best.
Armani Ecstasy Lacquer, $38 at Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714.540.3233 :: saksfifthavenue.com
Body beautiful
“Lastly, don’t forget your shoulders and décolleté,” says Quinn. “Urban Decay makes the most fabulous body beauty balm. It leaves the skin glowing without looking like glitter.”
Urban Decay Naked Skin Body Beauty Balm, $32 at Macy’s, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714.556.0611 :: macys.com
