Rock the Red. Red lips are back this season and are such a great way to add glamour to an ensemble! I have become a huge fan of Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor in Top Tomato. While it looks like a standard gloss in the tube, it's actually a really long-wearing lipstick. The product dries to a slightly matte finish--you can leave as-is for retro glam, or top with a balm or gloss for shine.

For an evening event, consider super glossy red lips, black liquid liner (check out this tutorial for a simple cat eye) and continue the red with a pair of scarlet patent platform heels.

These cuties from Ami Clubwear are less than $10 and would be a fun contrast to a simple black sheath dress.

Go for the Gold. Metallics are a perfect choice for wintry fashion; while silver may be a popular choice and remind us of snowflakes and icicles, gold adds warmth to a look and is far more flattering to most skin tones.

Maybelline EyeStudio Eyeshadow Quad in Give Me Gold is less than $8.00 and has a great variety of golden hues to flatter most any skin tone. Wet your shadow brush prior to application for more intense pigment.

Continue the gold look with a set of bold wrist cuffs--two of these cuffs from Forever 21 will put you back less than $10 and make you feel like a glamazon!

Signature Color. Black is a great base for showing off your favorite holiday color. Whether it's cool cobalt or fierce fuchsia, you can easily showcase it with a simple LBD.

These satin kitten heels from Bouquets come in fab colors like berry, green, and red and are only $20.70 on 6pm.com. If you choose red or pink, consider a glossy lip in the same shade.

Continue the color and ladylike look with a pashmina in the same hue (these pashminas on Amazon are less than $10 and get great ratings) and a satin or beaded clutch.

Pearls Please. Pearls are a classic an elegant way to glam up a simple black dress. A few long strands of ivory or gray pearls will instantly transform your wardrobe staple into an elegant evening frock.

This classic pearl necklace and earrings set from Croft and Barrow for Kohl's is only $13.00, you'll find many more opportunities to wear this set past New Year's Eve.

Pair with simple black silk D'Orsay pumps, and continue the pearl theme with a beaded clutch.  I love Etsy for unique bags at reasonable prices. With a quick Etsy search for pearl clutches, I found several under $25 that are elegant and quite festive!

Finish the look with a luminous face. TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer is a champagne-colored shimmery product you can put on cheek and brow bones for a hint of a pearlized look, mix with lipgloss and shadow to make your cosmetic bag basics become evening-worthy and festive. While this product is $24, it lasts forever.  You can use daily for a dewy look, layer it for all-out shimmer, and still have enough for your 2012 holiday fetes!

Where there's Smoke. A smoky eye is a sexy look for evening affairs, and beautifully complements the jet and hematite jewelry that has been so popular this season.

CoverGirl makes a fabulous product that's called Smoky ShadowBlast.  In Onyx Smoke you get a really intense dark gray eye; Silver Sky will give you a more sparkly smoky eye with a touch of lavender (a flattering choice for those with brown eyes). Curl your lashes and add a few coats of rich black mascara for a dramatic look.

Keep the smoky look going with this black lace-look bracelet from H&M for only $7.95, top off the look with this black feather collar from Claire's for only $28.00 for ultimate glam.