December is here and with it comes the season for gift-giving, mistletoe, snow, twinkly lights and, our personal favorite, good ol' tacky holiday sweaters. That's right, these days, those heinous sweaters (typically gifted to you by your holiday-loving grandmother), which are normally shoved in the back of your closet, have become as festive as tinsel and gingerbread men. Now that these funny-looking, shapeless ensembles have become so wildly popular, the question remains: How do I still look fabulous while wearing them? We want to help you navigate the party circuit in style, so we came up with some key tips on how to rock the ugly holiday sweater like no one's business!


Play Up the Eyes or Lips
The trick to working a tacky sweater is simple: Create a diversion. Whether with a great lipstick or popping eye shadow, it's important to divert the eyes from the sweater to your lovely face. Try rocking fiery red lip (try Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Revolution Lipstick in Mrs. Mia Wallace) or a vibrant, shimmery eye and see if you're not the belle of any ball, ugly Christmas sweater party included!

Rock a Glowing Complexion
Balance out the "ugliness" of your attire with a perfect complexion. Go for soft, dewy skin á la an illuminating foundation like Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Give yourself a lovely, natural flush with a pretty rosy cheek stain or cream blush. Avoid clown-like makeup by blending in your foundation and blush well so there are no visible lines or streaks. Top off the look by dusting highlighter on the cheekbones, chin and along the top of your eyebrows. For perfect, non-tacky shimmer, try Urban Decay Naked Illuminated.

Have GREAT Hair
As we said before, a diversion is key when rocking unattractive holiday garb. This is the perfect time to pull out the big guns and try out that new updo you've been dying to test out or go for big, voluminous hair that will have peoples' heads turning for all the right reasons. If you're looking for a great holiday hairstyle, check out our faves for the season. If you're really feeling ambitious, throw on a festive headband - it could be the perfect conversation-starter!

Get Yourself a Festive Mani
You know what they say: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Complement your festive sweater with an equally festive mani. The holiday season is the only time of year you can get away with over-the-top accessories and themed attire, so you might as well bask in the silliness of the season and have a good time! Indulge in some fun nail art: snowmen, holiday lights, candy canes, etc. Just go for a little cheesiness - you have all of next year to show everyone your chic side.

How do you plan on rocking your holiday sweater? Tell us your sweater strategy in the comments below!