I was very excited to attend the 2014 Nordstrom Holiday Beauty Trend Event at Fashion Valley Mall which showcased the next wave of beauty buys that every gal should have in her make up bag. While I am constantly immersed in the world of fashion I know embarrassingly little about painting faces. Don’t get me wrong, I love makeup but I am no where near a make-up artist. My daily routine is under 3 minutes and consists more of a makeup schmear then application.

Enter the Chanel Master Class. It was like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Upon completion of the trend show I was escorted down to a separate room and introduced to a handful of well trained Chanel make-up artists led by Christen Mellor. Each artist was assigned a student like me to walk through a step by step make-up application complete with a skin care routine.

Dream. Come. True.

I found out I was pretty much doing everything wrong but I was thrilled that Tracie, my angel of an artist patiently taught me how to perfectly apply foundation, fill in my eyebrows, create a smokey eye for day and then add more drama for night. Such a blast! Chanel make-up like all other things Chanel are flawless and worth the price tag if you can afford them. I love that the motto of the class was that there is not a one look fits all, make-up should suit a woman and her lifestyle which falls perfectly in step with my principles of signature style.

All in all I was over the moon at everything I learned, not to mention all of the really fun colors, scents and products coming out just in time for the holidays. That being said there were some clear winners in my eyes.

Do you have any holiday beauty secrets? One of my friends has recently had her teeth whitened by a Dentist in Charlotte. Her new smile is so impressive and has made her feel so much more beautiful. I have always been insecure about my teeth and therefore I am tempted to treat myself to some cosmetic dental work too. There is nothing like a bright white smile after all.

For now though, here is a peek inside my trend event beauty bag:

Dark Lips: MAC Sin was a clear crowd pleaser, the perfect bold accent to a no make-up look. This shade will really make your teeth and smile pop.

Signature Scent: My Burberry is about as signature as it gets. From the bottle cap to the shape of the bottle itself, each pieces was carefully selected to pay homage to the Burberry Trench which is iconic in its own right. The scent smells of an English garden and is divinity in a bottle.

Magic Wand: Le Volume by Chanel is an amazing mascara that doesn’t clump and lives up to its name. The wand is patented with a new construction that allows you to separate lashes with the tip while creating length that looks natural.

Face Time: The Le Lift line by Chanel is their targeted anti-aging line. Since turning the big 3-0 I am particularly concerned with the preservation of my face and body. I have only begun to test the limits of this line but the cleanser, and serum smell amazing and I am excited to see the results of longer term use.

All in all I am loving the dark lips, hints of sparkle and flawless skin that Nordstrom featured for the holidays and thanks to the Chanel Master Class I can actually apply them with confidence!

What are your fave tips and tricks of the beauty trade?!