Making the most of your holiday celebrations

(ARA) – As 2011 begins to wind down, the hectic holiday season is only getting started. It is important to remember that the beginning of winter means more than just presents and Black Friday – it’s about kicking back and celebrating family, friends and good food.

This time tends to be packed with fun and holiday cheer, but the last thing you want is to be partied out too early. Pacing yourself and not getting overwhelmed by the endless gatherings (and dessert trays) is essential. Here are a few easy tips to help make sure that you’re enjoying this season to the fullest and truly celebrating a great year:

* Make everything a memory: We all know that cleaning, cooking and decorating can be a chore, but by throwing on some music and making it a group or family activity, these can easily become some of your fondest holiday memories.

* Try not to overbook: One of the most stressful dangers of the holidays is committing to too many parties. Keep a calendar and be honest with yourself-there’s no need to make every celebration if you aren’t going to enjoy them.

* Keep it simple: Not a chef? Don’t sweat it. Pick a simple, signature dish for the season and stick to it. Make a fruit salad or bake your favorite kind of cookies so you’re not stressing about what to bring before every party.

* Come prepared: We all say we’re going to watch ourselves when it comes to eating this time of year, but the madness of the season makes “over-celebrating” an all-too-common occurrence. If for some reason the cranberry mold and side dishes get the best of you, make sure you have Pepto-Bismol on hand to keep you covered (use as directed) and trucking through the holidays.

* Click to show you care: Sometimes, the best way to maintain composure during this time of year is to take a step back, appreciate all that you have and pay it forward. Did you know that helping others could be as simple as “liking” a photo on Facebook? Pepto-Bismol always has people’s backs if they overdo it at Thanksgiving, but this year, it wants to also cover those less fortunate. With your help, the brand will help donate 2 million meals through Feeding America. By logging on to www.facebook.com/peptobismol and “liking” the picture of a turkey made by Eric Stonestreet, you will help provide eight meals to people in need this winter. Giving thanks has never been easier.

Before you get swept away by turkeys, decorations and parties, remember all that that the holiday season is truly about: celebrating with loved ones and reflecting on a year full of memories. These simple suggestions will help you keep the energy high and the stress low during these cold, yet heartwarming, months.

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Tip: Make sure to prep the skin by cleansing and exfoliating so that skin is smooth-textured and free of residue.

Women often look to red carpet events to get ideas to incorporate the latest trends in fashion and beauty into their holiday look. Unlike celebrities, most of us don’t have access to the stylists and makeup artists usually required to pull off these looks. But with the right beauty tricks and products, looking red-carpet ready at your next holiday party can be easy.

Head makeup artist for the Primetime Emmy Awards, Bruce Grayson, offers these tips and trends for getting that glamorous look for the holidays without spending a fortune.

1) Do Get Glowing
A 2008 Olay Skin Survey found that women rated a bad skin day as the most dreaded personal care crisis, dethroning a bad-hair day. Additionally, a good skin day was found to make women three times more confident. Therefore, it’s no surprise then that your skin can be your hottest accessory. Our favorite celebrities often have a perfect sun-kissed glow and it’s easy to achieve at home to help boost confidence.

The most important factor in achieving an all-over glow is moisturizing and getting even skin tone. Make sure to prep the skin by cleansing and exfoliating so that skin is smooth-textured and free of residue. Then use a product like Olay Definity Color Recapture that moisturizes and provides a hint of sheer, natural color. It also improves skin tone and texture over time by fighting fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations for more luminous skin. The color blends seamlessly with most skin tones and can be enhanced with your favorite blush or bronzer. Make sure to blend into the jaw line and hairline so that it looks natural.

2) Don’t Fear Falsies
When you want to look truly red carpet ready, nothing adds instant glamour like a set of false eyelashes. False eyelashes can be purchased in strips or as individual clusters. Apply a few of the individual clusters to the outside of half of your lid just above your natural lash. It will open up the eyes and make them pop in minutes.

3) Do Get a Stand-Out Smile
Have you ever seen an actress or model without a perfect smile? Your smile can be your most alluring feature if you frame it the right way. Make sure your teeth are a natural shade of white, not yellow or stained. Most celebrities go to their dentists for expensive whitening procedures, but at-home kits like Crest Whitestrips work just as well over time. Also, wear a lip color that compliments your skin tone and makeup. Rich berry colors look great on most women because they compliment the natural hint of berry that already exists in the lips.

4) Don’t Get Match Happy
Bright colored dresses are popular, but remember that your eye makeup shouldn’t necessarily match your outfit. If you’re wearing a bright colored dress, stick to sheer, light colored cosmetics like silver, pearl or gold tones. Shimmery shadows really brighten the eyes and give an overall luminous look. To help eye shadow last for hours, prep the eye with oil-free makeup remover and then blend all over the eyelid, contouring with a slightly darker shade in the crease.

5) Do Avoid Melt-Downs
Whether under bright lights on the red carpet or dancing with your friends during a night on the town, when the night heats up, makeup can melt off. Keeping your prettiness in place can be a challenge, but it’s possible. For starters, skip heavy foundation in hot humid weather and opt for a lighter tinted moisturizer or mineral powder foundation. Then, in the T-zone and any other problem areas, apply a primer that helps tame oil production. Next, consider cream eye shadows and cheek stains that blend into the skin and won’t melt off as quickly as powders. Finally dust a bit of translucent powder over your entire face to lock makeup in place.

For more information about looking red-carpet glamorous, visit www.Olay.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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