Elsa Hosk's makeup artist on how to recreate her subtle smokey eye – perfect for all of our holiday parties

Come Christmas, we've got a slew of invitations waiting for our RSVPs with holiday parties aplenty on the horizon. And while we love a good glögg party or News Year's mingle, the inescapable stress of "what do I wear" quickly creeps in, driving us to scroll online shops and in-store shelves for the best festive frocks to don now. And that's before we've even begun considering what to do about our hair and makeup.

Luckily for us, Elsa Hosk is guiding the way this year, sporting the only party look you'll need to add to your makeup roster this party season. Namely, a sultry smoked-out eyeliner paired with a subtle shimmer lid. The man behind the look is celebrity makeup artist Harold James who, beyond beautifying Elsa Hosk's already enviable features, frequently fashions the makeup looks of Kelly Rutherford, Angelina Jolie and Cindy Crawford to name a few.

According to James, the idea behind the look originated with the iconic tuxedo and the black scarf elegantly wrapped around Hosk's head. "Just that morning, I stumbled upon a mesmerizing 1991 Vogue cover featuring Heather Stewart-Whyte, who sported a Sophia Loren-inspired look, complete with a black scarf," he says. "Elsa, our ever-inspiring muse, always brings the most exquisite references to the table. and so we sought to infuse vintage charm with a contemporary edge."

As for recreating the look, James emphasies that this look isn't so much about extreme precision; rather, it’s about "embracing a slightly smudged edge that beautifully complements Elsa’s unique features while still maintaining a sharp liner". Without a doubt, the most important tool for this is a black matte waterproof pencil. According to James, it is the only way to "create that dramatic eyeliner effect and adding depth to the eyes."

But, an eyeliner alone won't be enough to create the complete look. You'll need a few additional, yet equally essential tools. James implores us to keep a sharpener on hand to ensure that our pencil is perfectly pointed for that pin-pointed. Next, a liquid eyeliner is a must for crafting a sleek, defined wing that enhances the overall effect. For the eyes, James says to opt for a cream eyeshadow – whether shimmery or matte – to create a beautiful base and add dimension to your lids.

The focus for this look may be the eyes, but a perfected base is just as important for the overall effect. James tells us to "to sculpt and warm up the complexion" with a cream bronzer to ensure that enviable sun-kissed glow. As for the lips, James suggestion is to choose a lighter lip colour with cooler undertones to "maintain the freshness of the overall look while keeping the focus on the eyes." Finally, top it all off with a clear gloss to add shine and a plump, fresh finish.

Below, James' fool-proof step-by-step tutorial on how to master Elsa Hosk's makeup look: