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Beauty Bloggers' Holiday Wish Lists

Amber Katz

Freelance writer for pubs like NYLON and Cosmpolitan, and founder of Beauty Blogging Junkie, a "pop-culture infused beauty blog that covers everything from eye shadow to hairspray to butt slimmers."

1. I'm a fan of a black-lined cat-eye all year long, but I think a liquid liner adds a little more polish for the holidays. I can never use the stuff without getting more on my eyeball than my lid. To avoid frustration, I only use Hourglass Script Precision Liquid Liner. It's a micro-fine, felt-tipped pen that yields a razor-thin line you can taper easily. A previously impossible feat. Love.


2. A "do behave" blushed cheek for mistletoe mischief is high on my list. Mine is a two-step process, which starts with Tom Ford Cheek Color in Love Lust (which officially changed my views on powder blush, for the record) topped with a little blended smear of Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #5, for a luminous, candlelit effect.


3. Most of the year, I am drawn to cream polish shades, but come December, I like to sparkle, in the parlance of The Valley of the Dolls' famously diva-ish character, Neely. Zoya Nail Polish in Kissy is a magenta hue that features multi-shaped, multi-colored glitter, ranging from rectangular to more square, exuding a gemstone quality. 

Christine Mikesell

Founder of 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic. "In junior high, I had every flavor of Lip Smacker, and in high school, every mascara offered at my local drugstore." Not only does she blog on all things beauty, Christine is also a full-time physician and a new mom.

1. Amazing eyeliners.  I'm all about some drama when heading out, and a smoky eye is the perfect way to achieve that. Laura Mercier's Limited Edition Kohl Eye Pencil Set has five different pencils that each add a little "something" extra to a smoky eye.

2. A red lippie. A red lip is perfect for the holidays, but the upkeep can be brutal. Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Flame is a lip stain that lasts for hours, and the color is universally flattering. Your results will last longer if you apply after exfoliation, so brush those lips first!

3. A statement nail polish. I'm a big nail polish addict, and once fall hits, I just want to wear dark polish on short nails. Nicole by OPI in Follow Me on Glitter is a deep charcoal gray with silver glitter and flecks of pink, green, gold... you name it! 

Elke Von Freudenberg

Founder of an eponymous blog and owner of Elke Von Freudenberg Salon in NYC. As a 20-year veteran in the beauty industry, working as a celebrity and editorial makeup artist, Elke is quite well-versed in makeup and application.

1. Givenchy Gelée D'Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm Crystal Shine in Lune Argentee #5 is a glittery lip gloss, perfect to apply over any lipstick you are wearing to take it from the workday to a holiday-party night. The more glitter, the better!

2. Clinique's High Impact Lipstick in Red-y to Wear is the best red lipstick ever. It stays on fantastically, and nothing says holiday more than a great black liner and red lips.

3. I love the look of liquid eyeliner, but I hate the hassle of getting it on. Sephora has a new felt tip pen eyeliner that is perfect: Doe Eyed 2 In 1 Felt Eyeliner. It has a chiseled tip, so you can apply either a thin line or a thick line, depending on your look. Love.

Nadine Jolie

Author of Beauty Confidential; founder of an eponymous beauty and lifestyle blog. "It might not be saving the world, but any girl who's ever been down, dumped, lost a job, or just needed a good pick-me-up can attest to the awesome life-changing power of red lipstick, a kick-ass haircut, and the perfect smoky eye."

 

1. I'm obsessed with Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Clear Radiance any time of the year, but particularly love it during the holidays when I want to look glowy and luminous by the twinkling lights. You can't imagine how stunning your skin looks after a faint dusting of this shimmer mineral powder, but I'm telling you: it's brokering on deal-with-the-devil fabulous.

2. Thanks to a nightly diet of red wine—for the heart-healthy polyphenols, of course—my smile requires constant upkeep. As a result, I'm addicted to Crest 2-Hour Whitestrips, which whiten instantly (well, in a couple of hours, at least). Plus, I have sensitive teeth, so I'm always looking for the best versions for whiny babies like me; I don't know how or why, but the 2-Hour strips hurt dramatically less than any other version I've tried. (Once I'm all white and gleaming, I slick on CoverGirl lipstick in 320 Soulmate, which is the perfect berry-hued shade of pinky-red.)

 

3. Is there anything more glamorous than Tom Ford? Seriously. Not a rhetorical question. If there is, I'd like to know, because I've yet to find it. His latest perfume offering is Violet Blonde, which manages to be simultaneously floral and musky, and is 100% pure sex. I want to sleep naked in it, à la Marilyn, but restrain myself to a few precious, jealously-guarded drops of Eau de Parfum before special parties, instead.

 

Polly Blitzer

Founder of Beauty Blitz, beauty guru, beauty editor for over a decade. She contributes to InStyle and is on SHAPE's Women in Action panel.

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Emoi is the perfect shocking pink. It's the only bold shade I wear. The color is profoundly, deeply saturated, and the shine is so intense that it bounces light like patent leather. I put it on before big events or TV tapings—it's the exclamation point at the end of every style statement, whether a cocktail frock or casual cargos. (Blue-based pinks like this also make teeth look whiter, a plus if you're a coffee guzzler like moi.)

2. What better way to turn heads at a party than with a gorgeous Jennifer Behr crystal confection? Jennifer Behr is one of my favorite style entrepreneurs. Each season she dreams up original handcrafted headwraps and headbands—think of them as dazzling artwork for your hair. They manage to be romantic, lavish, and glamorous simultaneously. I always keep one in the top drawer of my desk to add instant flair when I need to bring an outfit from AM to PM. Loving this crystal tear-drop loop headwrap right now!

3. You must keep yourself manicured during the holidays. I've found one shade that works with every skin tone and looks just as right by day as it does with the little frothy frock in the back of your closet. My pick is NARS nail lacquer in Night Breed, a twinkling grahpite. One coat of this limited edition polish says sophisticated glamour. It reminds me of a sultry smoky eye.

Carla Maganinho

Founder of the Product Girl Beauty Blog. Carla's affinity for all things makeup and perfume has made her blog one of the most successful online beauty destinations.

1. Kate Somerville is my skincare hero, and the Kate Somerville Restore & Renew Kit is the perfect way to get started with this brand. It has an amazing, gentle cleanser, Kate's infamous ExfoliKate, and the eye and face creams that you need to transform your skin. You will get hooked on Kate.

2. The right skincare is important, but so are the tools you use. I love the Clarisonic Black Floral Plus Cleansing System. The set comes with the new deep-cleansing brush head. Even more important: it also has a larger brush head to smooth skin from head to toe.

3. Laura Mercier's holiday offerings just keep getting and better. With Laura Mercier Color Portfolio, you have practically everything you need for a variety of looks. We also love how this portfolio includes brushes you can actually use! Great selection of shades, too. Add mascara and gloss, and you're good to go.