It’s been awhile since I shared my updated skincare routine for both morning and night. It can take me a few weeks to get into a routine that I feel is working so I finally feel like I have a regular rotation of products to share. While I will try some other products from time to time or switch things up occasionally, this is primarily what I am using for both morning and evening. For reference, I am 44 and have normal to slightly dry skin. I can still get a tad bit oily in my t-zone from time to time but mostly I find that my skin has gotten drier the past few years. My main concerns are treating any uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles and getting all the moisture and plumping I can into my skin. Ha! Here is a break down of each routine and the steps in which I apply the products.

My Current Winter Skincare Routine

Morning Routine

My morning skincare routine is almost always the same in terms of the active ingredients I use (vitamin c and hyaluronic acid) but I just switch up the the brands and formulas from time to time. Vitamin c works best when used during the daytime as it helps to protect the skin from environmental damage which also includes UV rays from the sun. Obviously you can use vitamin c at night as well but my preference is to include it everyday in my morning skincare routine.

Cleanse

I actually don’t use a cleanser in the morning anymore and just simply splash some cold water on my face before applying my skincare products.

Tone/Essence

REN Plumping Essence (discount code: MAREE)

This has been a holy grail product ever since I started using it earlier this year. I pour a few drops into my palm and pat it into the skin. It helps immediately plump and keep my skin hydrated.

Rhode Glazing Milk

After I apply the REN plumping essence, I will pour a few drops of this into my hands and pat it into the skin. It’s a nice added layer of moisture and makes my skin so glowy and fresh looking.

Serums

Medik8 C-Tetra Liquid Vitamin C

This is the first product from Medik8 I have tried and am already in love and want to try more from the brand! The texture of this vitamin c is more like a face oil than a serum so you only need a few drops. If I apply too much, my skin will get super oily throughout the day. However, this vitamin c serum has really brightened my skin and made it look so much more even toned.

REN Everhydrate Moisture Restore Serum (discount code: MAREE)

I have to have a hyaluronic serum in my morning and evening routine because it helps my skin stay firm, plump and retain moisture. This is a new discovery for me and I really love it! It’s thicker than some of my other hyaluronic acid serums which I like and it really helps to plump and prep my skin for applying makeup.

Eye Cream

Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream

This eye cream has sold out so many times because it has gone viral on TikTok and for good reason. It’s an eye cream with a tiny bit of tint to it that helps counteract the darkness under my eyes. It also gives a tiny bit of radiance without making it look too glowy. I add this at the end of my skincare routine right before I apply my makeup. The peach tone in it really brightens and does an amazing job at minimizing any darkness.

Sunscreen

Holifrog Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this sunscreen but have surprisingly loved it so much! It has a slight golden tint to it which just evens out the skin tone slightly and reduces redness. I can wear it alone if I wanted on days I’m not wearing makeup and it will just give me a slight glowy tint, but I love the way it wears under my makeup!

Evening Routine

Cleanse

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

I’m going on 10+ years with this cleansing balm and don’t think I will ever stop using it. It removes makeup so quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft, moisturized and very clean.

Tatcha Indigo Cleansing Balm

While I use most cleansing balms to remove my makeup, I save this one for a second cleanse. The ingredients in this cleansing balm are amazing at helping calm, soothe and nourish so I like to use it after I have removed my makeup.

Colleen Rothschild Balancing Gel Cleanser

I am normally not a huge fan of many gel cleansers because they can foam up and really dry my skin out, but this one was an instant favorite! On the nights I don’t use the Tatcha Indigo Cleansing Balm as my second cleanse, I will use this gel cleanser. It makes my skin feel so fresh and clean without feeling tight or stripped.

Tone

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads

I’ve been using these resurfacing pads for a few years and love how effective they are. I use them every other night to help refine texture and diminish dark spots.

Essence

REN Plumping Essence (discount code: MAREE)

This has been a holy grail product ever since I started using it earlier this year. I pour a few drops into my palm and pat it into the skin. It helps immediately plump and keep my skin hydrated.

Rhode Glazing Milk

After I apply the REN plumping essence, I will pour a few drops of this into my hands and pat it into the skin. It’s a nice added layer of moisture and makes my skin so glowy and fresh looking.

Eye Cream

Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating and Tightening Eye Cream

I have heard so many great things about this eye cream and I can say that I really do love it! It’s rich but not too rich and helps to tighten, moisturize and illuminate the eye area.

Serum/Treatment

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

It’s been a long time since I used a strong retinol treatment but I have heard great things about this one from Medik8. I started by using it once a week and have worked up to every other night. My skin broke out a bit at the beginning (which is often normal), but is slowly looking clear again. I didn’t get any redness or flakiness with it and my skin is really starting to look amazing – brighter, firmer and less fine lines.

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow

I’ve been using this resurfacing serum for nearly 5+ years and still have not found anything that performs as well. I use this on the nights that I am not using retinol. It’s the BEST at making my skin feel so soft and textureless. I wake up after using this and my skin looks so good and glowy.

REN Everhydrate Moisture Restore Serum (discount code: MAREE)

I have to have a hyaluronic serum in my morning and evening routine because it helps my skin stay firm, plump and retain moisture. This is a new discovery for me and I really love it! It’s thicker than some of my other hyaluronic acid serums. I use this every night after I apply either my retinol or Honeymoon Glow. There is one night a week that I will skip the Honeymoon Glow and retinol and just use this and moisturizer. I find that it helps my skin recover from all the actives I’m using and not get irritated or too sensitive.

Moisturizer

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair

This is the most nourishing and soothing moisturizer! It helps strengthen the skin barrier and is a great product to use to after my retinol.

Skincare Tools

CurrentBody LED Mask (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)

I use this LED mask 6 nights a week after I cleanse and tone. I leave it on for 10 minutes and then continue with the rest of my skincare routine. I did a full review on the benefits here – it’s a splurge but really has made a difference!

Face Masks

Colleen Rothschild Intense Hydrating Mask

I only use face masks a few times a week but this one is a must have at least once. I will apply this after I cleanse and tone and leave on for 20 minutes. It instantly plumps my skin, makes my pores appear minimized and delivers insane hydration. I am never without a tube of this!

Colleen Rothschild Detoxifying Mask

For a mask to detoxify and clean out the pores, this one is a must have. It really cleans out my skin but doesn’t leave my face feeling too dry or tight. I use this once or twice a week depending on how my skin is feeling.

It’s the holiday season and time to bring out all the sparkle and shine! There are tons of gatherings, parties and time with friends and loved ones. I love how this time of year is a time to get dressed up and be more fancy. It’s a great time to play around with fun makeup looks, wear shades or colors you wouldn’t normally wear and go for some glam. Personally I  am still a subtle and polished makeup lover so most of my holiday makeup looks are turned up a notch but still super wearable. You don’t need to be a professional makeup artist to recreate these! The right makeup can complete your holiday look and is often one of the best accessories you can add to your outfit. Experiment with a bold lip, a sparkly shadow or a smokey eye. It’s fun to showcase your creativity and personality with your makeup. In today’s post I will be sharing a round-up of holiday party makeup ideas and looks to complete your holiday outfits.

3 Holiday Makeup Looks

Sparkly Eyeshadow + Glossy Lip

I always love a sparkly shadow and glossy lip, but if this is not something you regularly wear then a holiday party is the perfect time to experiment with this kind of look. As you can see, I didn’t take it too over the top and left the look still polished and wearable but I chose products that could easily give you a gorgeous holiday glow. Since this look is mostly neutral, it would look great with a ton of outfits and is a fun makeup look for New Year’s Eve too! Here’s a breakdown of how I got this look:

Start with a Natural Finish Foundation

Since your eyes are going to be so sparkly and your lips will be quite glossy, it’s good to balance that with a foundation that isn’t too glowy or dewy. This Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation (I am wearing shade 1N2) is a long wearing foundation, waterproof and buildable. I like to apply it with the BK Beauty 101 Foundation brush (discount code: MAREE10) and then use a damp makeup sponge as the end to just blend it out a bit more.

Conceal Only Where You Need It

I only use a touch of concealer under the eyes to diminish dark circles and a touch of it around my nose where I can still have a bit of redness even after foundation. I am wearing the Natasha Denona Hyglam Concealer in N1. Additionally, I added a dab of the Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand in Sunbeam in the inner part of the eye and mix it with my concealer. This is a glowy complexion product that makes my under eye area look radiant and a bit glowy. For a holiday look, this is perfect.

Choose a Neutral Sparkly Eyeshadow

You could definitely go for a jewel toned or bold color with this look, but I am a neutral gal through and through so I will always opt for that over something very colorful. I am wearing Jones Road Beauty eyeshadow in So Pretty and love how it makes the eyelids GLOW! Make sure you use an eyeshadow primer before and press the color onto the lid instead of swiping it. The color will show up better and you will have less fall out on the face. You could also add a touch of the shadow to the lower lash lines for a subtle smokey eye. I also like to add a touch of my bronzer into the crease to bring some warmth to my eye makeup. Add a few coats of your favorite mascara (mine is the Tarte Tubing Mascara) and define your brows (I am using Jones Road Beauty Brow Gel in Light Brunette) and your eye look is finished!

Pink Cheeks

A pink cheek gives a nice healthy flush to the face and looks like you have been out in the cold a bit. I am wearing Jones Road Beauty Blush in POP and it truly is the best pop of color. I always start with a tad bit of bronzer on my cheeks first to warm them up a bit and for this look I went with the Jones Road Beauty Bronzer in Light Tan. Because I am using all powder products on the cheeks, I need to add some glow (and moisture frankly) back onto the skin so I just tap a bit of the L’Oreal Lumi Glotion in Fair Glow OVER the entire cheek for a subtle yet radiant glow.

Glossy Lips

With the sparkly lids, I love the look of a super glossy lip. I recently tried these Rhode Peptide Lip Tints and frankly they are some of the best lip products I have ever tried!! They are even more glossy in person and make the lips look amazing while still being really nourishing. I am wearing shade Ribbon and it is the perfect petal pink.

Golden Eyes and Red Lipstick

The number one question I get when I share a red lip is “what should I wear on my eyes?” and frankly I always keep the same eye look every time I wear a bold lip. It’s simple, easy to do and always allows the red lip to stand out. And wearing a red lip during the holidays is so fun and can be an added accessory to your outfit.

Pick a medium coverage foundation

While you can definitely wear something more sheer, I find that a more polished and complete makeup look is best for wearing a red lip. If my foundation is too sheer, it can look mix matched because a red lip is so glam and bold. However, my trick for making my medium coverage foundation have a more fresh face look (in this case it’s the Hourglass Soft Glow Foundation – my discount code is: MAREE) is to mix it with a hydrating serum to thin out the formula. This makes it a touch more sheer and moisturizing yet still evens out the complexion. I add a touch of Natasha Denona Hyglam concealer under my eyes and the complexion part is complete.

Keep the Eyes Neutral and Slightly Shimmery

The red lip is going to be the focal point of this makeup so I just want something on the eyes that looks pretty but not too noticeable. My go-to for years has always been a shimmery champagne eye shadow with some black mascara and defined brows. I love the Jones Road Beauty Just a Sec shadow in Linen because it is sheer and gives just a wash of shimmer on the lids. I threw on a few coats of Tarte’s Tubing Mascara and used the Jones Road Beauty Brow Gel in Light Brunette. You could also add a few false lashes or a winged eyeliner to a look like this to really add some more glam to the eyes.

Choose a Neutral Blush

Like I did with the eyes, I want something subtle and neutral on my cheeks so as not to compete with the red lip. I started first with a bit of the Jones Road Beauty Bronzer in Light Tan and then dusted Pat McGrath Blush in Nude Venus on the apples of my cheeks. I finished off with by dabbing a bit of the L’oreal Lumi Glotion in Fair Glow on top to take down the powdered look of the cheeks and add some radiance.

Pick a Creamy Medium Coverage Red Lip

I find that choosing red lips with a slightly creamy and satin finish looks classic and often has a lot of staying power. You could also go with a red liquid lipstick if you prefer that type of formula. I am wearing Bobbi Brown Luxe Defining Lipstick in Redefined and it is the most gorgeous vibrant red that skews a tad bit warm which I prefer. This eye and cheek look would also work with a vibrant berry lip if you would prefer that over red.

Rose Gold Radiance

The holidays is the best time to wear gold (and all the metallics) but when it comes to my makeup, I prefer to choose rose gold. It’s a bit warmer, less yellow and looks so good on tons of various skin tones.

Start with a slightly glowy foundation

Since the look is overall quite radiant, I chose to keep my skin a touch more glowy. I still used my Hourglass Soft Glow Foundation but layered the RMS Beauty Supernatural Radiance Serum underneath. I added a bit of the Natasha Denona Hyglam concealer under my eyes to combat any darkness and that was it for the complexion.

Choose a sparkly rose gold eyeshadow

I LOVE this Jones Road Beauty eyeshadow in Rose Gold as it is super shimmery and pigmented. A great choice for a holiday makeup look. Another gorgeous option would be the Hourglass Scattered Light eyeshadow in Reflect. I love a solo eyeshadow versus an eyeshadow palette because it can keep the look so simple. I don’t add any additional eye liner or any darker shade to the outer corner because my preference is to keep the eye look radiant and bright. I add a few coats of my favorite Tarte Tubing Mascara and define my brows with the Jones Road Beauty Brow Gel in Light Brunette.

Pink Glowy Cheeks

This look is somewhat monochromatic so I used the Jones Road Beauty Bronzer in Light Tan on the cheeks first to add some warmth. I dabbed on the Tarte Maneater Blush in Pink which is a liquid formula that is super hydrating and makes the skin look gorgeous. I added on a bit of the Flyte.70 highlighter in Just Like Heaven for even more glow. This highlighter specifically is designed for textured or mature skin so it’s incredibly moisturizing and lightweight but doesn’t bring attention to any fine lines.

Add a sparkly/metallic lip

I went with the Chantecaille lipstick in Rose Quartz from their 2023 Holiday collection but you could easily just wear a rosy lip liner and add a shimmery lipstick on top. This topper from Tom Ford is gorgeous if you want to add just a bit of sparkle to your lips. I also love this shimmery pink lipstick from Tom Ford!

These are three of my regular go-to holiday or fancy makeup looks that I always go back to because they are simple yet still polished and appropriate for a festive occasion. For more holiday inspo, check out this post on holiday shoes and this one on what to wear to a holiday party!