Makeup Artist Allan Avendano Breaks Down His Top 5 Celeb-Inspired Holiday Beauty Looks

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Makeup Artist Allan Avendano Breaks Down His Top 5 Celeb-Inspired Holiday Beauty Looks

’Tis the season for holiday parties galore, and celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño is here with some festive beauty ideas to take you from Thanksgiving dinner straight through to New Year’s Eve. As the pro behind Hollywood darlings like Vanessa Hudgens, Camila Cabello, Jenna Dewan, Sarah Hyland and Ashley Graham, the makeup maestro knows a thing or two about creating flirty and fun looks, and he’s breaking down his top five holiday beauty ideas inspired by his famous clientele exclusively for Us. Because the key to any #flawless makeup look is good skin, Avendaño recently teamed up with the breakout busters at Differin as a brand ambassador. To keep skin clear and glowing even when you’re wearing a lot of makeup and maybe (over)indulging in sweets and treats this time of year, he recommends ending every day with a double cleanse to ensure your face is totally bare before bed. “I always start with a makeup wipe like Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Remover Wipes. This is especially helpful if you have heavier makeup on,” he tells Us. “Then I use Differin Gentle Cleanser, which is a great gentle cleansing option because it won't strip your skin and effectively removes dirt and grime.” He also spot treats any breakouts or problem areas with the Differin Gel (an over-the-counter topical retinoid treatment that works to prevent blemishes and clogged pores without over-drying or irritating the skin). “I recommend this to all of my clients to make sure they can be confident on any red carpet or press day,” he says. “It's so simple to integrate it into your skincare routine and is great for anyone with mild to moderate acne or even occasional breakouts.” Keep scrolling for all of Avendaño’s celebrity-inspired holiday beauty ideas!

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Makeup Artist Allan Avendano Breaks Down His Top 5 Celeb-Inspired Holiday Beauty Looks

’Tis the season for holiday parties galore, and celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño is here with some festive beauty ideas to take you from Thanksgiving dinner straight through to New Year’s Eve. As the pro behind Hollywood darlings like Vanessa Hudgens, Camila Cabello, Jenna Dewan, Sarah Hyland and Ashley Graham, the makeup maestro knows a thing or two about creating flirty and fun looks, and he’s breaking down his top five holiday beauty ideas inspired by his famous clientele exclusively for Us. Because the key to any #flawless makeup look is good skin, Avendaño recently teamed up with the breakout busters at Differin as a brand ambassador. To keep skin clear and glowing even when you’re wearing a lot of makeup and maybe (over)indulging in sweets and treats this time of year, he recommends ending every day with a double cleanse to ensure your face is totally bare before bed. “I always start with a makeup wipe like Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Remover Wipes. This is especially helpful if you have heavier makeup on,” he tells Us. “Then I use Differin Gentle Cleanser, which is a great gentle cleansing option because it won't strip your skin and effectively removes dirt and grime.” He also spot treats any breakouts or problem areas with the Differin Gel (an over-the-counter topical retinoid treatment that works to prevent blemishes and clogged pores without over-drying or irritating the skin). “I recommend this to all of my clients to make sure they can be confident on any red carpet or press day,” he says. “It's so simple to integrate it into your skincare routine and is great for anyone with mild to moderate acne or even occasional breakouts.” Keep scrolling for all of Avendaño’s celebrity-inspired holiday beauty ideas!

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Sarah Hyland’s Bold Lip

“I always love a bold lip for the holidays,” Avendaño tells Us. “Red, berry or oxblood lips always feel so rich and festive. I prefer a matte texture because it reminds me of velvet ribbons your put on gifts.” His favorite shades? Bite Beauty’s Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Gazpacho (a “true blue-red”), BeetRoot (a “bold berry”) and Liquorice (an “oxblood”) and the cult-fave MAC Ruby Woo as seen on the Modern Family star. Oh, and when it comes to creating a super crisp pout, he says to “use a concealer to clean up any uneven lines” and to “apply powder around the mouth to prevent bleeding and feathering.”

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Vanessa Hudgens’ Metallic Eyes

The makeup pro notes that liquid metal eyes are always in vogue, but they feel particularly glam around the holidays. “You can get super creative and make a bold statement or just add a touch so that every time you blink, there's a sparkle in your eyes,” he says. He’s a big fan of Pat McGrath's eyeshadows “because of how metallic they are,” and the former High School Musical star is wearing her Metalmorphosis 005 in Silver. If you are looking for a high-impact look like Vanessa’s, Avendaño suggests wetting the shadows with a mixing agent like the Mehron Liquid. “It will make the look really pop,” he says.

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Ashley Graham’s Luminous Skin

“There's just something really beautiful about sitting by the fireplace with the light from the fire making the highlights on your skin pop,” he says. But a lit-from-within-skin a la the supermodel is not just about loading on the highlighter. For starters, he applies the Differin Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 on clean skin because it “acts as a wonderful primer for normal to oily skin” (drier skin types might prefer the Differin Soothing Moisturizer) and keeps the look from appearing “greasy.” From there, he strategically applies both liquid and powder highlighters — his favorites are from Becca Cosmetics — to the high points of the face. 

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Jenna Dewan’s Monochromatic Makeup

While the thought of using a single makeup color all over your face may seem a bit more editorial than IRL, Avendaño’s regal purple look on the World of Dance host proves the look can be all kinds of chic. “The key is to make sure that you're pulling off a color that works for you — and if you're only comfortable with nude shades, so be it. You can still create dimension with nude shades,” he tells Us. But if you are willing to give bolder hues a try, he believes it’s worth the risk. “Personally, if I can find a person than can carry out a full look with cranberry shadows, a berry blush and a burgundy lip, I get so excited,” he says.

Credit: Allan Avendaño/Instagram

Camila Cabello’s All-Over Glitter

Is there a better time of year to shine bright like a diamond than the holidays? The short answer is no, and the makeup artist believes the look is perfect for ringing in the New Year (hence why he gave the “Havana” singer an all-over sparkle for her 2017 NYE performance in Times Square). “People are scared of glitter but I say bring it,” he quips, and he’s got a few tips from preventing any flaking or fallout. “I love to apply a layer of translucent power under the eyes so you can easily sweep away any glitter that falls or use Shadow Shields to prevent it from falling onto your face,” he says. “I also like to apply a very thin layer of Duo Eyelash Adhesive in clear and then stick the glitter to it. The glitter will stay put until you peel off the glue.”