Remove the reserve, step out of your comfort zone and into your platform peep toe pumps while styling your hair for the holidays. This is the perfect time to go for a different look. “If your every day hair is worn straight, choose a style with cascading soft loose curls or if your hair is curly, why not experiment with a more fluid straight style,” suggests Christina Kaliamouris, Senior Stylist at Rizzieri Salonlocated in Washington Township, NJ. Christina also advises that her “personal favorite and one that is often requested this time of year is the trendy ‘messy’ bun. It’s easy and fun to style and is very fashion forward. You can even spice it up by adding some braids.”

Holiday makeup is more exaggerated than mainstream and it should be. Buckle up your ankle boots and get ready for picture perfect/camera ready high performance. The eyes have it for the holiday season in stunning palettes of sultry and smoky or shimmer and sheen. It’s your moment to sparkle so sharpen your ‘glitterfabulous’ eyeliner and enjoy your own winter wonderland.
Highlight the twinkle in your eye and all that glitters in gold.

The fashion color story for holiday 2010 is all dressed in black, especially velvet, embellished and dripping in gold. This may be our grand ‘sign’ of economic recovery as we move forward on the runway of life ‘in the black’ into 2011.

If holiday parties are on your to-do list but your funds are depleted as a result of your gift buying, add your own rendition of vintage-inspired and wear the little black dress or black pants suit that has been patiently hanging around in your closet. Sequins are all the rage, so if you can splurge for one item, a sequined boyfriend blazer, blouse or handbag would be the perfect keepsake. Be sure to take this golden opportunity to accessorize wildly with jewelry in bold gold and precious metallics or add a stocking full of shimmer with jeweled scarves, brooches and feathered pins. Accessorizing with chunky jewelry will create a more formal look without having to spend a small fortune.
Underneath the mistletoe, the hustle and bustle, the sprinkles, the foiled gift wrap and the gilded gold eye shadow, TIME, may just be the most precious gift we could hope for and receive, for Auld Lang Syne, no gift box or wrapping paper necessary.