Holiday Best

Holiday Best
With the holiday season comes a flurry of festive parties, exciting events, and social gatherings; all worthy of you looking your absolute best. Make sure you are ready to wow.
Photographer - Robin May | Fashion Coordinator - Robin Hebert | Fashion Copy - Maria Lambert
Hair & Makeup - Salon NV Models - Brooke McMichael, Juliana Maxey, Drake Abshire and Jennifer Arnaud | Loft at Retromodern and The Alamo?312 W. Simcoe St.

Where to Buy

1
Left to Right:
Little Town
1116 Coolidge Boulevard
in The Oil Center.
Ph: 337.268.9499

Mosley & Hollard
1200 Camellia Boulevard
in River Ranch
Ph: 337.993.3077

Brother's on the Boulevard
101 Arnould Boulevard in Midtown
Ph: 337.984.7749

Herringstones
111 Settlers Trace
Main Street in River Ranch
Ph: 337.993.0062

2
F. Camalo
458 Heymann Boulevard
in The Oil Center
Ph: 337.233.4984

Vertigo Clothing
201 Settlers Trace
Main Street in River Ranch
Ph: 337.991.9980

3
Genterie Supply Co.
210 East Vermilion Street
in Downtown
Ph: 337.401.3833.

4
Sky Blue Clothing Studio
3810 Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Ph: 337.534.4759

Raffaele/Dolci Modi
2817 Johnston Street
in South College Center
Ph: 337.234.0900

5
Brother's on the Boulevard
101 Arnould Boulevard in Midtown
Ph: 337.984.7749

4

5

Makeup - Nikki Mistric using MAC Cosmetics

If you feel stuck in a makeup rut, the holidays can bring you some creativity. Parties allow for a much funkier, easier vibe and a freer environment to experiment with new looks. The classic combo of a dark lip and light eye is a good place to start. "This holiday season try a bolder lip in a glossy red or a berry shade," says Mandy Grayson, owner of Lafayette's newest salon, Bleu Coiffure Hair and Makeup Studio. As not to overpower and keep balance to the face, "keep the eyes simple by dusting a light golden shadow on the eyelids with a black liquid eyeliner." This is a really effortless look to do, but it still looks incredibly put together and elegant.

This season, deep black liquid or gel liner is all the rage. Use it to do a full blown cat eye, with a long and accentuated "flick" at the end of your lid. Too timid for that? You can do a "kitten eye," which is simply a lighter version of the cat eye with a shorter and smaller flick at the end. Aren't afraid of some drama? Do a double line, and add loads of mascara. Finish any of these looks off with a soft pink matte lipstick; a perfect juxtaposition to the starkness of the dark liner.

For our bolder gals, a smoldering, smoky eye is always the way to go. But instead of reaching for the obvious grays and blacks try a bronze or copper metallic to smoke out instead. It looks less severe than harsh ebony colors and it really makes your eyes stand out. Purples or navies are also good choices.

Sleek cheeks are in right now; think 80s contouring but with much less product and pigment and a lighter hand to apply it. Any color will do, but the color of the moment is a deep peachy bronze, which is fantastic for warming up winter faces.

Yearning for some shimmer? A fine clear glitter can be lightly patted with your finger over your finished eye makeup for some flair or dabbed over lipstick or lip gloss. For highlighted cheekbones, an iridescent power can be grazed on top of your blush.

No matter what look you choose, false lashes will polish it off. It also gives a really clean line to the outer edges of your eye makeup. The not so shrinking violets can opt for a full blown, fringy pair to frame their peepers. However if you are a false lash neophyte, Grayson says "you can also finish the look with false half lashes for the outer corner of the eyes. These are easier to apply than the full strip of lashes and will give a flirty cat eye flare."

Hair by Natalee Fisher

With hoards of holiday parties and family gatherings to go to (and of course, New Year's Eve) there are plenty of opportunities to get dressed up and try out new hairstyles. This holiday season, buns are making a big comeback. "Holiday 2011 is all about messy, dressy buns," says Lori Lemelle from Salon NV. "Imperfection is the goal." Whether worn low, high or to the side, it adds quick and easy glamour to your style. Many women are also adding shimmery little headbands in combination with the buns, making a sexy little pouf at the crown. Don't feel comfortable with a disheveled bun? Sleek and shiny ballerina type buns are always an elegant and timeless choice and easy to do as well.

Braids are popping up again, but not in the usual forms. An unkempt fishtail braid, when side swept and slightly pulled apart to make bigger and messier, can give you a fresh and exciting look. Or you can create a French braid with the frontal section of your hair by braiding from one ear over to the next and securing the rest of the hair in a low bun at the nape of your neck.

Perfectly coiffed, precise ringlets are a thing of the past. This year, it's all about softer curls and waves. "Side swept loose curls opposite your part can be instantly glamorous," says Lemelle. Another option is to make a deep side part with looser waves and leave your hair down, a la Veronica Lake. Or, if you want an instant cool, retro, 20s vibe to your look, you can don some good old-fashioned finger waves.

Feeling a bit like a diva in your holiday gear? Try a über volume updo. Tease, tease, and then tease some more from the front to the back of your hair and then slightly smooth into a French twist or just pin back, keeping the sides a bit tighter than the top.

No matter what do you choose "don't be afraid to place amazing accessories in your hair," says Lemelle. And when time is of the essence and you don't have time for anything extravagant, an eye-catching accessory can spice up your hairdo in an instant. Don't have anything on hand? Lemelle offers a quick and savvy solution: "Sometimes a chandelier earring can make the perfect hair piece."