Get Holiday Party Ready!

If there's one thing I love about the Holidays, I mean let's be honest there's really too many things to count, but if I had to choose it would be Holiday attire. Sparkles are the color of the season and while a good sparkle is a wardrobe staple throughout the year, the holidays are an extra special and more importantly, extra sparkly time of year.

I think us ladies (sorry boys), know and appreciate the fact that getting ready for a Holiday party entails WAY more than just finding a pretty dress to wear. Although don't get me wrong that's like 75% of the battle. But there's still a solid 25% (yay math) left of prep. That last 25% will literally make or break that fab dress you just found online too. So trust me, you're going to want to keep reading.

Don't fret I will get to dress recommendations, that 75%, but I want to start with the 25% first. To kick things off, let's start with the base of it all, a good fake tan.

A Good Tan

I just recently got my first Airbrush tan from Sugared + Bronzed before jetting off to Vegas for the weekend for the Revolve Awards and I cannot say enough positive things about my experience. The staff are absolute perfectionists and I went off to Vegas looking bronzed and not at all streaky. Plus they had a great deal offering buy one get one free to first time guests. It's a little bit pricier than a regular spray tan but worth it for the sheer perfection of it all. Bye bye streaks hello tan goddess.

While we don't always have the luxury (or time let's be real) to go out and get a tan, thankfully there's at home self tanners. T-God! My go-to is St. Tropez classic bronzing mousse which comes with an applicator mitt and is easy to apply. It also doesn't have that strong fake tan smell that we all know and "love."

As it's "Winter" in Los Angeles and my arms and legs have been mostly covered for the last couple of months I haven't really been keeping up with my tan but once the temps start going back up a bit again, there's another at home self tanner I'm dying to try - The Elle Effect. The reviews are incredible plus the mega-babe, uber sweet influencer behind the brand isn't so bad either.

Hair Did 

I often feel limited when it comes to Holiday hair but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good sleek straightening every now and again. More often than not my go-to Holiday party hair is straight, parted in the middle and trailing down my back since it's so different from my classic voluminous curls. That being said, my must-have straightener is my T3 SinglePass Straightener. The technology within this particular straightener is so good and not only that but this is the first straightener I've used where protecting spray isn't necessary believe it or not. It's worth the investment, trust me.

An accessory that I am absolutely dying to try this Holiday season are these beautiful, bedazzled berets by hairstylist to the stars, Justine Marjan in partnership with Kitsch. With various words like "Glam" and "Drippin," they are the perfect addition to any hairstyle this Holiday season.

Makeup on Fleek

Put your best face forward this Holiday party season with some extra glamorous, extra sparkly makeup. I just recently picked up a couple of Sephora's individual eyeshadow pods, again ahead of my gallivanting off to Vegas, and was really impressed by the performance. With hundreds of colors to choose from, you can't go wrong! Plus there's numerous shades of sparkle to go with any skin tone.

File this next one under things I'm dying to try and oh by the way it made my Christmas Guide for the year but the Huda Beauty New Nude palette is absolutely stunning. I love that it gives you some amazing neutral and basic colors as well as the option to add a little extra sparkle in there.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the ultimate classic highlighter, Becca's Champagne Pop. Even the name alone gives major Holiday vibes! If you haven't used it before, let me tell you, you're missing out. It also comes in a fun tester/travel size which could be a perfect gift for that makeup loving lady in your life.

Nails On Point

In honor of the new Nutcracker movie, OPI put out a Nutcracker Holiday collection featuring twelve limited edition polishes and three coordinating glitter shades. I'm slightly biased since I have red on my nails right now but I'm a big fan of the shade Ginger's Revenge and the sparkle shade Tinker, Thinker, Winker?.

"Casey, where do you get your nails done," you may be asking yourself. Well I go to a small salon in my neighborhood by the name of Beaut without Y. They have great colors to choose from, everyone in there is really friendly and most importantly it's the first salon I've been in where I don't feel anxious and like everyone in there is talking mad sh*t about me and my nails. Ladies, I know you know what I'm talking about.

Dazzle them with those Pearly Whites

This Holiday season I've partnered with Smile Brilliant to make sure my teeth are at their best all season long. With all the Holiday eating and wine drinking (let's be honest we know there's plenty), it's important to remember to take extra special care of those chompers.

For the last couple of weeks I've been using the new cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush and let me tell you it has been a game changer! With five different settings, Clean - White - Massage - Gum Care - Sensitive, I have been able to customize my electric toothbrush experience. To be honest I've actually never really used an electric toothbrush before so I was a little hesitant at first but once I found my perfect setting, it's now an integral part of my routine. My teeth feel infinitely cleaner and it's given me the confidence to know that they are looking their best.

I've also combined it with Smile Brilliant's at-home two-step whitening kit for that ultimate Holiday sparkly smile. In honor of the season of giving, I'm giving my followers the opportunity to get 20% off their very own cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush. While electric toothbrushes can feel like an expensive investment, it is so worth it for the health and happiness of your teeth! Put your best smile forward with this amazing product.

Click this link to enter: https://www.smilebrilliant.com/gb/almostfabulousme

The Finishing Touch: The Perfect Dress

The Holiday season is without a doubt one of my favorite times to shop. I LOVE the excuse to get dressed up and more importantly to add a good sparkle to my ensemble. That being said, I also love making a statement with my Holiday attire. Here are some dresses I am absolutely loving this season.

Missguided - Red lace tiered frill maxi dress $82

ASOS - boohoo velvet rouched wrap mini dress in blue $39 

ASOS - High neck drape armhole midi dress in all over sequin $151 

ASOS - Jumpsuit with tiered leg in satin stripe $87

Revolve - LPA Aurora Dress $158

And there you have it, your head to toe holiday look. As I mentioned, it is a PROCESS getting Holiday party ready but don't let that stress you out. It's worth the work to know you'll be looking and feeling your best at every Holiday event you show up to!

(Originally Published December 18, 2018)