Motives Holiday Gift Set, featuring a palette that can help create a full range of holiday looks. Just $49.95 at motivescosmetics.com!

For me, the trick to gorgeous party makeup that lasts is keeping it sheer and light. Rule #1:  Apply your makeup in thin layers — I like to use as little foundation as possible and rely on strategically placed concealer instead. Unless you’re very oily, skip powder and use blotting papers. A tiny pack should fit easily in your evening bag. Rule #2: Apply your makeup with brushes. That’s a trick I learned from Cindy Crawford: It makes you look much more polished. Rule #3: If you go for a rich red lip color, you’ll have to commit to touchups throughout the night. A smoky eye is lower-maintenance, and often just as pretty. Rule #4: As a finishing touch, add some shimmer to your cheekbones, brow-bones and just above the cupid’s bow of your lips. That little touch somehow brings everything to life.

Here are my favorite holiday makeup variations:

1. Red lips + light eye (very fresh and innocent)

2. Smoky eye + light, pinkish beige mouth (sophisticated)

3. Smoky eye + rich, wine-tinted lips (a dramatic European look)

4. Bats-wing black eye liner + pale lips + strong eyebrows (a cool, 60s feel)

5. Pale gold eyeshadow + thin black liner + apricot blush + clear lip gloss (enhances the golden tones in your skin)

Which is your favorite look?