How Much Do You Primp on Christmas Morning?

Condé Nast Digital Studio
Condé Nast Digital Studio

By Alexandra Owens, Allure magazine

The holiday season is full of stressful decisions: which Alexis Bittar cuff to buy your sister, whether or not it's too early to celebrate with your new boyfriend's parents, exactly how much bourbon you can sneak in the eggnog. But I must admit that my biggest annual dilemma is whether my Christmas morning look should be carelessly casual or camera ready.

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My decision tends to tack back and forth every year. After a month-long crunch of shopping, baking, and merry-making, I am lazy and way too happy to be with my family opening presents and eating my mom's rolled sandwiches to care about how I look. So I keep the embarrassing flannel nightgown, not-so-adorable bed head, and zero makeup. My style embarrassment is up to par with Ralphie wearing the pink bunny suit in A Christmas Story, and I have no problem with it.

See more: The Most Gorgeous Holiday Beauty Gifts for $50 and Under

That is, until I see the inevitable photos. Let's just say that those images are not going on any mass-mailed cards. The next year, haunted, I make my family wait while I do full-on but natural makeup and hair. (I like Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in Honey Blush to give my cheeks a natural flush, and Dior DiorShow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara to make my eyes look open and defined). Once I even woke up early to sneak into the bathroom and give myself a blowout. And yes, they think I'm insane.

Am I the only one, or do you have a Christmas morning primping routine?


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Photo Credit:Condé Nast Digital Studio