Break out your red lipstick and black eyeliner— matte lips and the iconic cat eye are two of the hottest makeup trends this season. Try them out for yourself at your next holiday soirée!

Lesson 1 - Matte Red Lip

Ruby-red pouts are back. These look-at-me-lips, while being one of the top beauty trends, may also be one of the most daunting. But don’t worry—bold matte lips aren’t that tricky, and when done right, they give you an instant wow-factor.

1 BUFF & PREP

First, fix those chapped lips with a little exfoliation. The pros swear by a soft toothbrush, but a damp, warm washcloth will do the trick as well. After, apply a layer of balm, which will ensure long-lasting color, instantly smooth flakiness and fill in those pesky fine lines. Let it absorb for a few minutes to allow your lips to become moist and plump, then blot off the excess for a shine-free surface.

2 LINE

Next, line your lips with a creamy pencil that is in the same shade as your lipstick. This creates guidelines for accurate application and a bumper to prevent pigment from feathering and bleeding. Then, use the same pencil to fill in your mouth to provide a base for the lipstick to adhere and prevent the color from setting into fine lines on the surface.

3 APPLY LIPSTICK

Dab lipstick on the center of your bottom lip, either with a fine brush or straight from the tube, then give your lips a stained look by using your finger to massage the color into your lips. Reapply, and finish by blotting your lips with a tissue to soak up any shine.

Lesson 2 - Cat Eyes

From thick to thin, black to bright, and everything in between, dramatic Brigitte Bardot-esque cat eyes popped up all over this season’s runways. At Libertine, for example, cat eyes were seen in the form of an inky shape that covered most of model’s lids, as opposed to a more simple and thin version that was seen at Dolce & Gabbana. Lets just face it—some days call for more than mascara.

1 DETERMINE YOUR SHAPE

Look at yourself straight on in the mirror. Where your eyebrows end should be the direction your liner goes.

2 START LINING

Start with the brush or pencil resting on your lashes in the inner corner of the eye. Softly drag it across, letting the line become slightly thicker as you go, until you get to the end of your lashes. Then begin the tail in the opposite direction, with the tip of the brush facing your temple, and line until you connect the two lines. Either leave the cat eye wing thin and pointy, or increase the wing and intensify the drama by adding more layers of liner.

3 MAKE IT EVEN

Keep in mind that it is always easier to add more liner than take it off. If you make a mistake, use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean it up.

4 TOP IT OFF

Now that your liner is done, focus your attention on your lashes. While a few coats of black mascara will do the trick, you can also use a strip of false lashes to enhance your eyes and the wing even larger.