Just in time for your holiday festivities, I’m sharing my holiday hair and makeup tutorial to help you get the look of a professional blow out and makeup application at home in your own bathroom.

Last week, I had a rare and special occasion to attend the movie premiere for “The Tribes of Palos Verdes”, directed by my good friend, Brendan Malloy, and his brother, Emmett.

The movie, which is very moving with incredible performances by the three lead actors (Jennifer Garner, Maika Monroe, and Cody Fern), was shown at The Ace Hotel in Downtown L.A. The theater is an Art Deco stunner, built in 1927 and was one of the original United Artist theaters in Los Angeles.

hair and makeup tutorial — Inside The Ace Hotel theater.

I almost never pay to have my hair and makeup professionally done, but if any evening justified a little extra effort to look my best, this was that evening. To have the opportunity to celebrate a friend’s big moment in a beautiful, historical setting was a treat.

Besides looking more polished than I would otherwise, the best thing about having my hair and makeup professionally done and the thing I consider worth paying for are the new beauty tips, tricks, and products I pick up in the process.

Holiday Hair and Makeup Tutorial

Here how to get a festive look this holiday season without having to shell out money better put towards fabulous gifts for the people you love most!

(A quick note before you watch: To head straight to my hair tips, you can skip ahead to about the 5 minute mark in the video. And – God help me – I have no idea why the vocal is out of synch at the end of the video. Mea Culpa with an eye roll. I think you get the gist.)

Any questions? Feel free to ask me in the comments!

Makeup Products Used

Eyes and Eyebrows: Smashbox Brow Powder, the darker eyeshadow is M.A.C. Eyeshadow in Cork, the lighter shade is M.A.C. Eyeshadow in Brule, Gel Eyeliner by Rimmel, “They’re Real” Mascara by Benefit and Bold & Bad Mascara from M.A.C. The brushes I used are the 224sh Tapered Blending Blush by M.A.C. and the 263 angled brush by M.A.C..

For the event, my makeup artist at M.A.C. applied the #35 false lashes for added drama. These lashes are feathery and slightly longer in the middle, which I really liked.

Cheeks/Face: Bronzer in Laguna by NARS, Blush in Orgasm by NARS, highlighter is Celestial Powder in Candlelight by Kevin Aucoin.

Lips: Nice ‘N Spicy lip liner from M.A.C., Nicki’s Nude lipstick by M.A.C., Boy Bait lipgloss by M.A.C.