29 of the Easiest Hair and Makeup Ideas to Kick Off Holiday Party Season
Whether you start the day after Thanksgiving or wait until it's officially December, the marathon of holiday parties is about to begin. What this means for your social calendar is that you pretty much get a month-long free pass to load up on the sparkle, try every updo saved to your Pinterest boards, and finally practice those makeup tutorial looks that didn't quite work for the office.
With the exception of the few self-care Sundays that you should give yourself to regroup, here's a month's worth of celeb-inspired, easy-to-re-create holiday looks to get you through the festivities.
Olivia Palermo
Bobby pin hair art has had a moment in 2018. Take Palermo's lead and keep slicked-back hair in place with metallic versions.
Chanel Iman
Give the bobby pin trend an upgrade with a simple, slicked-back pony.
Kate Mara
In keeping with the bobby pin trend, try shiny metallic ones for festivities (or outfits) that require a bit more sparkle.
Storm Reid
The combo of pink stained lips, a deep side part, and metallic bobby pins slicked to the side is complete holiday perfection wrapped perfectly into one look.Take Reid's cue and keep your ponytail secure with metallic bobby pins.
Kerry Washington
A clean and classic winged eye, played up by loads of lashes, is a simple way of saying let's get the party started.
Kate Middleton
This was the year of not-so-basic ponytails, which is the only way you can describe Middleton's velvet black bow accessory.
Amandla Stenberg
Stenberg also brought her high pony game by matching her two-part red hair accessory to her outfit.
Hailey Baldwin
The '90s are back, so why not keep your pony in place with a chic scrunchie à la Baldwin?
Ariana Grande
Waist-length bow? If Grande's doing it, we want one.
Poppy Delevingne
Another way to wear a velvet hair accessory, demonstrated by Delevingne.
Priyanka Chopra
Ease into a bold color by rimming just the bottom waterline with an icy blue. Keep the rest of the face neutral to really make it pop.
Rihanna
A slicked-back top knot like Rihanna's not only looks stylish, but it will also keep hair from bunching up in your scarves or turtleneck.
Yara Shahidi
Here's a fresh way of wearing Winter white. Line the bottom waterline with an shimmery white for an eye-opening and seasonally appropriate bit of sparkle.
Nicole Scherzinger
For a coordinated look, secure your ponytail with a barrette that perfectly matches your hair color like Scherzinger.
LaLa Anthony
Nothing says life of the party better than an I Dream of Jeannie pony adorned with metallic hair ties.
Evan Rachel Wood
When everything else seems like too much work, know that you can never go wrong with a classic low chignon and loose tendrils to frame the face. Throw in a flower detail if you're feeling fancy.
Joan Smalls
Add a bit of badassery to your perfect waves with a braided part. It's like the 2018 version of a braided undercut.
Cynthia Erivo
Ditch the rules and have fun with your color combos by doing an unexpected pairing like this matte blackberry lip and aqua eyeliner.
Bella Hadid
If you look closely, you'll see that Hadid's perfect winged liner was far from basic. The graphic twist flared out and then back into the crease — leaving an empty space in the center of the wing.
Bozoma Saint John
Braids on braids make for an easy accessory. Stack a few at the crown like this one. It looks intricate but only requires a few extra hair pins.
Thandie Newton
Thandie's braided bun is proof Winter hair can be both practical and stylish.
Issa Rae
Here's proof that halo braids are a win beyond festival season. Freshen it up by braiding off-center. Up the angelic ante with highlighter that hits in all the right places.
Cara Delevingne
A rust-colored smoky eye, instead of a traditional dark version, will pretty much look glam even if you're rocking your favorite sweats.
Zendaya
Here's a perfect daytime smoky eye that doesn't require a ton of skill or tools. Focus on blending a light brown shadow across the entire upper eye, then groom and highlight the brow bone.
Kerry Washington
Leave your natural curls loose for a sexy and relaxed look like Washington's.
Margot Robbie
Of course having flawless bone structure doesn't hurt, but this fresh-faced, subtle smoky eye is exactly what you'll need to take you straight from the office party to any late-night situation.
Blake Lively
If you're the plus one at your significant other's holiday party, play it safe with a fresh-faced no-makeup makeup look and perfectly shiny waves.
Amy Adams
When holiday party prep gets to be too much, remember this: you kinda can't go wrong with retro waves and a classic red lip.
Gigi Hadid
When in doubt, keep it simple. Nude makeup that actually works for your skin tone is pretty much a win in any situation.