One of the things I enjoy about not having a job is that I can wear just about any makeup look during the day and it's not going to matter.  Not that my looks are normally wild or anything, but it does give me some flexibility in wearing brighter colors.  So when I had a meeting with a recruiter earlier this week, my makeup needed to look more professional.  I wanted some color, but the focus needed to be on my qualifications, not my makeup.  Red is not a typical color associated with office-appropriate wear, but I with a light hand, I think I pulled it off.

See the full face look after the break

Now that's December, I am finally ready to admit that it's holiday season.  I love the holidays, but these days, it just starts too early!  Christmas music before thanksgiving?  No thanks.

Despite the downturn in the economy, some companies are having holiday parties.  Corporate parties can be tricky.  You want to look better than you do during the normal 40, but you still want to look professional.  Do you want to be known as glitter girl or crazy bird nest hair lady?  I think not!  Here are some looks you can use to ensure that you look fabulous without going overboard.

1. Classic Smokey Eye

Nothing says drama like the smokey eye.  Although many equate the look with black and grays, there are other options out there.  Play with color, especially if your party is in a location with limited lighting.

This Stila palette contains the four colors you need to create a classic smokey eye.

(kaboodle.com)

This Nars shadow duo of Cleo is a fun way to do a smokey eye with unexpected green.

Whatever colors you use, if you do choose to rock the smokey eye, keep your lips somewhat neutral.  If your party involves a full dinner, you may want to try a "long-wear lipstick".  Personally, I don't find that they stay on that long, but you may make it through dinner with a hint of color still left, at which point you can escape to the bathroom for a quick touch up.

If you don't want the drying effect, applying your lipstick with a brush will help it last a little longer.

(maccosmetics.com)                                              (sephora.com)

Mac Pro Longwear in Lishious                    Nars Lipstick  in Dolce Vita

2. Shimmer and Contouring

In low-lighting venues, the use of shimmer (NOT glitter) can be used to highlight your best features.  Don't apply it all over or you'll be disco girl at the office the next day.

MAC's 2008 Metal Urge collection contains some pigments and glitters that would be  perfect for highlighting.  Isn't this Reflects Bronze glittler gorge?  Okay, so it is technically a "glittler", so use sparingly!

(maccosmetics.com)

Neutralize the strong glitter with a neutral base. I like Mac's Paint Pot in Groundwork.  It'll also help pigments and glitter adhere to your eye longer.

If your company party is at a nightclub, I'd mix some pigment with your favorite body lotion to give your arms and/or legs some sparkle.  A company picnic...not so much.

For a truly luxurious golden glow, I would love to use Chanel's Gold Highlighting Powder.  Unfortunately, Chanel has priced it at $75, so I thought I'd miss out.  I can't justify it either, since it definitely seems like one of those holiday-time only products.

(nordstrom.com)

While I was admiring this back in October, I was impressed by it and kindly asked the makeup artist for a sample.  I thought she'd give me a little bag with maybe enough for two applications, but instead, she gave me this little container!  Score!

It's just beautiful and I will definitely be making use of the powder this holiday season.  Whether on the eyes or decolletage...just perfect.

Now that the shimmer is done, low lighting presents an excellent opportunity to contour your cheekbones.  Define your cheekbones with blush or bronzer, and be sure to blend!

Perfect pair, Nars Orgasm and Laguna Bronzer

I am not as in awe of Orgasm as some are, but the holidays may be a good time for you to try SUPER Orgasm.  What do you think?

(Nordstrom.com)

I've heard the glitter is pretty strong.

Another bronzer option is Benefit's Hoolah.  It'll give you a good sun-kissed glow year round.

Enough tips?  Now get out there and show the office who's fabulous.

Here's a little bit about me.  I'm a business gal who wants to be involved in marketing, specifically advertising and public relations.  Creating buzz for events is something I would love to have a shot at.  One of the things I'm sure people have heard of is the idea that any publicity, whether good or 'bad', is actually good.  In many cases, what is initially perceived as negative creates an overall awareness that probably wouldn't have happened otherwise.

Anyone remember Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl?  Who knows what she'd been doing the month before?  If memory serves me correctly, she had an album coming out in a few weeks after that, but I don't think she spent much time promoting it.  Planned?  Maybe.  But it probably cost her a whole lot less this way.

So while this shock-value thing works for entertainment, does it also work for makeup companies?  Let's see...what's the #1 selling blush?  I believe you've heard of Nars' Orgasm?  Other names in the collection include 'Deep Throat', 'Sin', and 'Sex Machine'.

Nars is hardly the only brand that uses suggestive naming in its repertoire.  Benefit Cosmetics has names that are more often than not, tongue in cheek, but with names like "touch me, then try to leave" or "bad gal" mascara; they're not trying to cater to the prim and proper side of their buyers

What do you think this color is called?  It's a blush from Nars.  It's description from Sephora is "seashell pink".

My biggest problem with such names is purely practical.  Having a lipstick called "Sassy Frass" is cute and all, but if I'm looking at a catalogue of names, what color is that?  Is it pink? Red? Mauve? I get that there are only so many ways to say it's a berry-ish red, but really...sometimes, I long for a more simple time when names weren't dripping with sex appeal.

In case you were wondering, here's what Sassy Frass looks like, straight from Benefit's website.

Source: Benefit Cosmetics

And the blush?  It's called Madly.  I don't get it.