Five must-have New Year's beauty products from Nordstrom Beauty Director Cheri Botiz

'Tis the season for sparkly smoky eyes,
glimmering cheekbones, and unapologetically
pretty pouts, and there's no night when unabashed
glitz and glam is more acceptable than New
Year's Eve. While you dash to and fro gathering
gifts as the holidays draw nearer, we highly
recommend taking a break to plot out a
party-ready beauty look for the big night.

Nordstrom Beauty Director Cheri Botiz generously
offered her expertise and doled out some
top-notch advice for looking your best when the
clock strikes twelve. Trust us: there's no better
way to kick off 2012 in drop-dead gorgeous
fashion.

"Dazzling shadows are a sure way to be New
Year's Eve-ready," Botiz explains. Her secret for
keeping eyeshadow in place all night long? "Pair it
with NARS Larger than Life eyeliner ($23)," she
says. We have her assurance that it will stay put,
no matter what.

And how better to immortalize a memorable night
on the town than by spritzing on a brand new
fragrance? "Try the new Prada Candy ($80-$100),"
Botiz advises. The latest scent by the legendary
atelier, Candy lends a sweet, energetic pop to
your beauty routine that's sure to put a hop in your
step. "It's the perfect scent for a special night, and
you're never fully dressed without your fragrance."

The most highly anticipated
moment of the entire evening is
obviously the midnight
countdown (and the
more-than-likely New Year's kiss
that follows), so make sure
you're prepared to pucker up with
a gutsy red lip. "Don't be afraid to
put a pop of color on that pout,"
Botiz says. She recommends
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La
Fascinate ($32) for a
spotlight-grabbing look that
makes a statement even when
your lips are sealed.

Finally, if there's any night to try
out an over-the-top manicure,
New Year's Eve takes the cake.
"Nails really are a girl's best
accessory," Botiz says. For a
fashion-forward look guaranteed
to garner compliments, Try THE
NEW BLACK's Ombre Nail
Shades Sets ($22) - each kit
includes five polishes in
graduated colors that make
mimicking a dip-dye manicure a
snap. Prefer going out with a
(sparkly) bang? Botiz
recommends Deborah
Lippmann's Dance Music Holiday
Mini Trio ($29), a
Nordstrom-exclusive collection of
three glittery nail lacquers
guaranteed to get attention.
(After all, what better way to hail
a cab when the evening wraps up
than with a manicured hand that
literally lights up the night?)