If you’re playing host this holiday season, the last thing you want to worry about is your hair and makeup. After all, you should be focusing on catching up with your family, perfecting your first turkey and soaking up the good vibes that come with having your loved ones in town. When it comes to your holiday hostess beauty routine, you need products that pack *serious* staying power, tools that will streamline your routine and services that will make your life straight up easier. Here are eight holiday hostess hair and beauty hacks to save you time and keep you stress-free and, of course, looking fab as you host.
You’ll be doing a lot of chatting, eating and drinking when you host, which makes it hard to wear lipstick confidently all day and night. Consider using a super powerful lipstick sealant like Ella International Lip Chic Lipstick Sealer ($12), which offers a clear formula that turns any lipstick into a budge-proof shade. Choose a color that you’ll want to have on for a *long* time ;)
TO SET YOUR HAIR IN PLACE
If you’re going for a styled ‘do this holiday, it needs to hold up for a long time. You should use tools like Goody Spin Pins ($6) to secure your style in place. The way they’re designed takes bobby pins to the next level: You actually spin them into your ‘do. Spray ‘em with hairspray before you spin them in for even more staying power.
TO COMPLETELY COVER UP DARK UNDEREYE CIRCLES
It’s a lot of work to host a holiday, and you might have been up super late (or early) prepping and cooking for the big meal, so dark undereye circles could creep in. Eek! Cover them up extra well by doing the red lipstick trick. Just put red lipstick under your eyes (sounds weird, I know) and then add your concealer on top for extra coverage. It works like a charm.
TO KEEP YOUR TEETH SPARKLY WHITE
Say cheeeese and get ready to flash your pearly whites for a ton of pics this holiday. Whether they’re those candid shots your grandpa loves to snap or the perfectly posed pics in front of the fireplace for holiday cards, your smile needs to dazzle. A week before your hosting duties commence, use Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips ($45) to make sure they’re white as snow.
TO KEEP YOUR NAILS TOTALLY CHIP-FREE
Between washing dishes, shaking hands and cookin’ up a storm in the kitchen, your nails will take a serious hit. Give Sally Hansen Miracle Gel ($15) polish pack a try. It comes with a colored polish and a top coat that is truly legit (I swear by this stuff), and you can remove it with normal nail polish remover. It seriously stays on, chip-free, for almost two weeks.
TO SET YOUR MAKEUP ALL DAY
You know those Disney princesses who you can take pics with and get autographs from? Have you ever thought about what they use to keep their perfectly applied makeup in place *all day*? You’re not alone — I, too, have spent too much time thinking about this. Their secret is professional-grade makeup setting sprays. Spray on Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Sealer ($23) and see just how long your makeup stays perfectly in place.
TO HAVE ENVIABLY FABULOUS HAIR WITHOUT THE STRESS
You’re already stressed enough, so you deserve to *not* have to worry about your hair. This is where Drybar comes in: Schedule an appointment, choose your desired blow out, sit back and let the pros handle everything.
TO GET SUPER FLUTTERY LASHES + SAVE A TON OF TIME
We all love our lashes. They’re an important feature on our faces and really bring out our eyes. While mascara is probably a part of your daily beauty routine, it can become time consuming and require freshening up during the day if it smears. Consider splurging for professional lash extensions (prices usually range from $85 – $300) to save yourself primping time and eliminate the need for those annoying smudge touchups.
Do you have any hosting tips, tricks or hacks? Share yours in the comments below.
