4 Sexy Holiday Hair and Makeup Ideas to Try

The holidays are so not the time to rely on the same old boring beauty moves (we're talking to you, black smoky eye). Step it up for the season's festivities with a hot new hair and makeup look. Need inspiration? Check out these celebs for a few sexy holiday hair and makeup ideas.

Gabrielle Union
Hair How-To: For Union's shiny, bouncy curls deep condition your hair the night before so it's extra glossy. Blow-dry your with a round brush then use a large curling iron, rolling hair around the barrel in one direction and then again in the other direction. Once you're done, mist everything with a lightweight shine spray.

Makeup Tip: Give your regular smoky eye a sultry holiday upgrade by using metallic shadows. Use a dark blue or purple for shading and lining and highlight your brow bones and inner corners with a champagne color. Check out the Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow collection ($20 each) for a slew of stunning options.

Kate Bosworth

Hair How-To: Party hair doesn't have to be complicated or stiff to look sophisticated. Case in point: Kate Bosworth's pretty low side ponytail. Create a deep side part then wrap your hair around a 1-inch curling iron. Loosely everything under one ear and secure with a clear elastic. Leave some pieces loose around your face.

Makeup Tip: When sporting a bold red lip, take a cue from Bosworth and keep the rest of your makeup to a minimum — gorgeous skin and a touch of mascara are all you need.

Hilary Swank

Hair How-To: Yet another example how a regular ponytail can look a whole lot sexier with a few tweaks. For Swank's glam version, tease your roots, but keep the sides sleek when you pull your hair back into a tight, mid-level pony. Mist the length of the tail with a shine spray to keep your hair smooth. We like Oscar Blandi Olio Di Jasmine Shine Spray, $22.

Makeup Tip: When it comes to matching your eye shadow to your dress, it's easy to go overboard. The trick is to keep it to subtle, with either a hint of bright liner or a pop of color on the lids.

Blake Lively

Hair How-To: Take a cue from the Gossip Girl star and weave your hair into a low, loose side braid. Let your shorter pieces fall around your face and don't worry if some strands stick out of the plait.

Makeup Tip: The easiest way to make your eyes look big and bright is to blend a bit of pearly white shadow or highlighter in the inner corners, like Lively did here. Try BeneFit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Ice Shot, $19.