Party season is my favorite time of the year. I throw a lot of parties—like, a lot of parties. Parties are my thing. And my look is always crucial, particularly for a holiday party. As soon as I know what the theme is (Studio 54 this year), I start planning what I'm going to wear. And this can be a really, really long process. Imagine finding a wedding dress, but yearly. This year, I started shopping for what to wear in August. August.

But planning and getting ready are two very different things. Months go into the concept, but minutes go into the excecution. This year I found myself in our venue’s bathroom stall trying to zip myself into my dress without ripping my fishnet tights. My fishnets survived yet I still managed to drop my precious Haloscope in Topaz in the toilet. RIP Boo!

DRESS
I wanted a lot of sparkle and sequin this time around and I didn't want to worry too much about anything else. I wanted to slip into my dress and boom, GLAM, without having to stress about jewelry and makeup! Additional must-haves: It's gotta be comfortable enough to let me drop it low, and I need to be able to get into it in 30 seconds flat. That’s exactly what I got with this Preen dress paired with suede lace-up heels from Topshop. All the grace of Aunt Viv, the drama of Whitley Gilbert, and just a dash of emoji flamenco dancer.

SKIN
I’ll start the day with a really fresh face and let my skin breathe before the party. I cleanse with the Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser then dab on a little Super Bounce for moisture. I let it settle before I apply Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream and honey oil on my lids and lips. But! I carry Milky Jelly Cleanser in my bag for later because I prefer to apply makeup on freshly-washed skin. Before going in, I apply some Priming Moisturizer and Super Glow before the glow up.

MAKEUP
Don't let anyone tell you you can't do a lip and an eye look at the same time; but maybe when your dress is this loud, tone down all of the makeup. I mixed the Becca Backlight Priming Filter with Perfecting Skin Tint in Deep and applied it all over. I combed my eyebrows up with the Milk Makeup Gel Brow Brush and then used Glossier Boy Brow in Black. On my lids, I applied the brown shade from the Chanel Les 4 Ombres Intensifie palette with my fingers, followed by the Glossier No.1 Pencil. Smudge the eyeliner a bit for a subtle smoky look. I actually just discovered mascara so I played around with the It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara. Then, Generation G in Leo on the lips and cheeks. I saved the highlight fun for last and went to town with Haloscope in Topaz.

HAIR
I’m one of those people that really wanted curly hair growing up—I begged my mother to stop relaxing my hair. Fast forward six years later, and I still haven't learned what to do with it. I recently gave myself a little chop so I decided to just wear it back for this look. But my edges are unruly AF! No gel or jam can hold these babies down. Enter the hot comb for a slick tamed do. Yes, a hot comb. “Don’t move a muscle” and “Hold your ears!” flashbacks anyone? We spent a good 15 minutes trying to tame them (many thanks go out to Clay Nielsen). But after that, my hair was laid for weeks.

—Cherie Camacho

Cherie Camacho photographed by Tom Newton on November 19, 2016. Cherie is wearing a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress and Dinosaur Designs hoops. Styled by Lilli Millhiser. Hair by Clay Nielsen.

Part 4 of our Holiday Party Look series. See the rest over here.