Whether it's a simple dinner with family or a full blown Christmas party, we all will have a festive event or two to go to this season. If you're a makeup lover like me that means you get to experiment with some fun holiday appropriate products! Today I'm going to be sharing the first of two holiday looks using some of the products I mentioned in my Holiday Makeup Must-Haves. Whether you're heading out after work to a casual Secret Santa gift swap or you just prefer a more understated look, here are a few simple steps to add a festive touch to your look!

If don't wear anything on the eyes during the day, priming is your first important step. Consider something with a little bit of colour to it to help even out the eyelids. Next add (or touch up) a rich and dark eyeliner to your lashline to provide a nice contrast to the gold you'll be adding on top.

If you'd rather buy a gold liner than DIY, check out my Holiday Makeup Must-Haves for suggestions, but if you don't think you'd get enough use out of one to invest, don't worry I've got you covered! Shake any gold eyeshadow or pigment you already have in your collection into a mixing container, add a tiny bit of makeup setting spray or water until is has a smooth opaque texture (make sure it's not too runny or it will to super sheer on the eye). Use a stiff angled brush to gentley swipe the mixture on top of your already applied black liner.

It's a really simple step, but the gold catches the light beautifully while never looking overdone.

I added a pale champagne-gold highlight to the inner corner of my eyes, cheekbones, and cupid's bow to give my skin that holiday glow. You could use the same product for this, I just happened to want to use MAC's Nylon and Benefit's Watt's Up because they're my favourites.

Last but certainly not least, I finished the whole look off with a matte red lip. The product I used was NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo - it looks super dark in the tube but it ends up as a medium cool toned red on the lips which is perfect for the holidays!

And that's all you need to go from a simple day look to a pretty holiday look in just a few minutes! Would you rock this makeup this season? Stay tuned next week for something a bit more dramatic for you glitter lovers!

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Base colour: Essie Fiji | Tips: Orly Rage | Top Coat: Sally Hansen Mega Shine

If you work in a corporate setting like I do than it's pretty likely you won't be able to get away with the typical hearts and glitter themed nail art. That doesn't mean that you can't be festive in a subtle way! How about a pink and rose gold French manicure? It's simple and classic with a bit of romantic twist. If you have trouble keeping a steady hand to to French mani's at home, try using page reinforcements to get a nice crisp line. Top it all off with a shiny top coat and you'll have a cute, polished look appropriate for any occasion!

What are you going to be sporting on your fingertips this Valentine's day?

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Welcome to 2014 on TVIB! Kicking off the new year I'll be bringing you a new post every day for the first week of 2014. I hope you enjoy ringing in the new year with me!

 

It seems somewhat cliche, but I do think it is important to reminisce every so often so that you don't lose sight of what makes up the important moments in your life. When it comes to reflecting on the past year, I must say, thank the Lord for Instagram. The modern day photobook has allowed me to bring you this compilation of some of the most memorable things for me in the past year. 2013 was definitely a year of milestones for me, which can't exactly be captured on film, but here is a glimpse of what my life has looked like over the past 12 months. If you would like to see more of the bits and clips of my day to day life, you can go on over and follow me on instagram to keep up to date!

NYE 2012 // Canadian winter wonderland // spring (yes, spring) at the cottage // Muskoka flooding // gloious spring // anniversary/birthday blooms // summer walks with my favourite boys // my bff returns from Israel // crazy rain storm in Toronto // perfect cottage weekend with my besties // hanging with the dolphins in Estero Bay // most incredible sunsets in Fort Meyers // apple picking // SAE Foundation sends kids in Zimbabwe to school // turkey time with my family // my brother's second album release // crazy ice storm takes out the tree in my backyard..and my power // welcome to my family Christmas.

I hope you all had an incredible 2013 and a fabulous New Year's Eve. See you tomorrow!