It’s holiday party season, which for makeup lovers everywhere means holiday party makeup season. For me, it’s all about pretty eyes and a bold lip this year. Read on for my favorite holiday beauty tips:

1. Go the extra mile. Before you start getting dressed and ready for your party, take the time to do a little extra grooming. Do your eyebrows need to be touched up? Break out the Tweezerman. Trim any jagged nails or cuticles. You don’t want an errant hair or cracked cuticle to undermine all the work you put into looking your holiday best, do you? Finally, build time into your pre-party schedule to do a face mask. Unsurprisingly, I recommend Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque for this. It really helps build a smooth and glowy foundation for your makeup.

2. Double up. Speaking of foundation, my new favorite method for faking a flawless complexion is as follows.

First, I smooth a moisturizing BB cream all over clean skin. I then follow up with a thin layer of the world’s greatest foundation, also known as Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Foundation. The result is soft, smooth, impossibly perfect skin.

3. Triple threat. When it comes to putting on pretty eyes, I haven’t found a better trio than Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in r.s.v.p., a stay-put shimmery champagne; Noir Long-Wear Eyeliner in Forever Noir, my all-time favorite black liner; and Eyeko Black Magic Mascara.

Eyeko knows how to get eyes right, and this mascara is no exception. It darkens, lengthens and curls without clumping, has an easy-to-use curved applicator and doesn’t smudge, even when I absentmindedly rub my eye. Black Magic is perfect party mascara – get it now!

4. Get lippy. I’m really feeling a bold lip this year, and there are some excellent party options available. If you want to keep it classic and go for a red lip, you can go really red with Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso.

Want to do something a little edgier? I’m obsessed with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Anime, a gorgeous neon pink. I find it surprisingly wearable. Both of these lip colors stay put once they set, so use caution when applying and start with less than you think you need. I also recommend a lip primer before application; try Chapstick Hydration Lock, which moisturizes and helps keep lip color in place. Looking for something a little more subtle? Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment is a lovely red tinted balm, and Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch is a wonderful, less-intense bright pink alternative.

What’s your go-to holiday look?