A is For...After Hours Kicks
Want to be the last woman standing on the dance floor? Comfy and cool, flashy metallic sneakers can make even the most casual outfit party-ready.
Clockwise from top left: $100; dolcevita.com. $65; vans.com. $75; keds.com. Puma, $90; footlocker.com. Golden Goose, $550; shopbop.com. $130; colehaan.com. $125; kennethcole.com. Tretorn, $85; nordstrom.com. $130; vionicshoes.com. Superga, $99; superga-usa.com
B is For...Bird-Inspired Finery
Let your most fanciful style instincts take flight: A cardigan with frontal plumage works with jeans, a basic pencil skirt, or black trousers.
Cardigan, $188; jcrew.com
C is For...Cocktail Rings
With one gorgeous stone as a centerpiece, each of these bold baubles is striking and sophisticated, giving you the upper hand at any soiree.
Cocktail rings, $195 each; deandavidson.us
D is For...Daring Animal Prints
It’s great to be sexy— in the chicest way possible, of course. A leopard-print bodysuit gives you support and some extra pizzazz, especially when peeking out from under a fitted suit.
Bodysuit, Stella McCartney, $105; net-a-porter.com
E is For...Eye-(Catching) Liner
Talk about the holiday blues! Lining your eyes in a cool marine shade is a faster, easier alternative to a smoky look but makes an equally dramatic impact. For a vibrant cat eye, pull the skin at your temples taut and paint a line from your eye’s inner corner to just beyond its edge using short dashlike strokes. Fill in and straighten the line, and flick it up at the outer corner for extra sass.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Liquid Eyeliner in Electric Blue, $10; drugstores
F is For...Flashy
It’s time for some self-reflection, so step out in silver, the quintessential party shade. Try a tinsel- like textured sweater, a high-shine pleated skirt, or bedazzled shoes.
Sweater, H&M, $20; hm.com. Skirt, Kate Spade New York, $398; katespade.com. Flat, $178; billblass.com
G is For...Glow
You want your face to be luminous in all of those family photos, right? Slough away complexion-dulling dead skin cells with a scrub. Moisturize, apply foundation, and brush on a highlighter in strategic spots—your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your Cupid’s bow.
Borghese Intensive Age Defying Exfoliator, $38; borghese.com. Man Ray for Nars Overexposed Glow Highlighter in Double Take, $42; narscosmetics.com
H is For...Haute Heels
There may be a chill in the air, but you can heat things up with your shoe game. A vibrant neon sandal with a sparkly heel brings a stylish pop of cheer.
I is For...Instant Bounce
When your do needs a pick-me-up, dry shampoo is your solution. A lightweight, spongy formula—try —gets rid of excess oil and imparts volume without leaving hair matte. Put a dollop in your palm, massage it into roots, and go.
Drybar Detox Whipped Dry Shampoo Foam ($24; thedrybar.com)
J is For...Jacket Required
And the texture of the season is...velvet! Soft and luscious, it’s well suited for the classic smoking jacket. Dress it up or down; either way, you can wear it for the holidays and beyond.
Boden, $330; bodenusa.com
K is For...Kissable Lips
It’s smooching season, so you’ll want to keep your lips in top shape. Think of the as a sheet mask for your mouth. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes to hydrate and fill in lines so lipstick looks flawless.
Spa Splurge Gold Collagen Lip Masks ($24 for four; spasplurgecollection.com)
L is For...Lashing Out
Here are two great new ways to join the fringe movement: Trendy reusable, magnetic false lashes lengthen and volumize—no glue required. Simply sandwich your lashes between a pair that clicks together. Or add subtle twinkle by swiping a glittery or colorful topcoat on the tips of lashes after applying black mascara.
From top: Givenchy Mascara Top Coat in Eclats Violines, $30; barneys.com. One Two Lash Original Lash, $69 for two sets; onetwocosmetics.com. Estée Lauder Crystal Lash Top Coat, $25; esteelauder.com
M is For...Making a Statement
You’ll stand out in oblong, candy-colored earrings. Bonus: Their vibrancy will brighten your complexion. Keep the rest of your jewelry simple and go with makeup that’s relatively neutral, not matchy-matchy.
Earrings, $250 per pair; sachinandbabi.com
N is For...Nailing It
Dior’s new polishes give your mani the Midas touch. Pick your base color and apply two coats. Then paint a strip (or two) of gold glitter and repeat so the line is more distinct.
From top: Dior Diorific Vernis Liner in Precious Rocks and Diorific Vernis in Grenat (on nails), Amethyst, and Emerald, $28 each; Dior.com
O is For...Out of This World Details
Celestial elements are a stellar way to get in the spirit. Try a star-studded bag, a printed dress, or embroidered slippers, and add brilliance to your beauty routine with a glitter-infused face mask. Peel it off and the only thing left behind will be your supple skin.
Mask, GlamGlow #GlitterMask GravityMud, $69; glamglow.com. Dress, $148; jcrew.com. Handbag, Zac Zac Posen, $295; zappos.com. Slides, $138; anntaylor.com
P is For...Perfect Pieces
Looking for something spiffy for the office bash? A jacket in a shimmery fabric with figure-flattering cinching at the waist instantly dresses things up. It pairs well with chinos, trousers, or jeans and feels more special than a basic blazer.
Jacket, Rafaella, $79; bonton.com
Q is For...Quick Fixes
Impromptu plans may require you to freshen up in a flash. Pick a palette like the Pixi Beauty Ultimate Beauty Kit 4th Edition ($32;
pixibeauty.com); the pretty range of shadows, blushes, highlighters, and bronzers will get you ready for whatever comes—whether you just need a touch-up or you’re going full-on fancy.
R is For...Regal Shoes
Add a touch of luxe to your look with a showstopping shoe in a textured brocade—a fantastical substitute for a more traditional solid satin.
Mary Jane pump, $79; marcfisherfootwear.com. Sandal, $288; joie.com. Pump, $50; zara.com
S is For...Sequins
The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without sparkle and shine. Will you go all out in a glimmering frock, or finish your everyday look with a dazzling jacket?
Bomber jacket, Project Runway, $84; jcpenney.com. Dress, $398; usa.frenchconnection.com
T is For...Tartan
This preppy print isn’t just for daytime staples. It feels fresh and unexpected in dressy silhouettes like a formfitting bustier.
Top, $248; trinaturk.com
U is For...Understated Elegance
Leave it to fashion and bridal designer Vera Wang to master the effortlessly polished vibe. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of her Simply Vera Vera Wang line at Kohl’s, she’s created a limited edition collection of subtly stunning pieces like this pearl-encrusted tee.
T-shirt, Simply Vera Vera Wang, $44; kohls.com
V is For...Velvet Revolution
The easiest way to get in on the velvet trend: jeans. They’re stretchy, and you can take them from day to night just by switching your top and shoes.
Jeans, $60; gap.com
W is For...Wine Lipstick
Meet red’s cooler cousin, a bodacious shade that works for all. A lighter-toned pinot noir is attention-grabbing on fair skin. Medium complexions look gorgeous in cabernet, and dark skin tones are complemented by a big bordeaux. And you can never go wrong with a universally flattering merlot.
From top: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Divine Wine, $7.50; drugstores. BareMinerals Statement Luxe-Shine Lipstick in NSFW, $20; bareminerals.com. Dr. Hauschka Lipstick in Chessflower, $25; drhauschka.com. Mark By Avon Lipclick Matte Full Color Lipstick in +Vixen, $12; avon.com
X is For...XOXO
What the world needs now is love—and so do your accessories. A bracelet or a clutch with a sweet message adds kitschy kick. Beauty tip: Here’s a time to coordinate your manicure. Choose a shade that picks up the colors in your bracelets or bag.
Clutch, Alie & Me, $300; alieandme.fashion. Bangles, $228 each; toryburch.com
Y is For...Yuletide Cheer
A bangle bracelet with all the trimmings— a.k.a. fun, interchangeable novelty charms that you can choose and arrange as you please—is like a holiday garland for your wrist.
Bracelet, $65, and charms, from $40 each; pandora.net
Z is For...Zzz's
Be sure to get your beauty sleep! A silky-soft eye mask blocks out light (and looks glamorous, to boot!). And the smooth fabric prevents those unsightly pillow creases, so you’ll wake up feeling merry and looking bright.
Sleep mask, $30; elizabethw.com
