If there's one time of year when you can break out beauty's big guns (sparkly eye makeup, shimmery lip gloss), it's the holidays. Here are our takes on a few of the season's glitziest products.

CARGO EYE SHADOW CARDS

Industrial-chic cosmetics line Cargo celebrates its 10th anniversary with a bevy of new takes on existing products. The most intriguing of the lot are the ColorCards — 28 credit-card-size pieces of sturdy paper in a compact tin. Each single-use card is embossed with a bit of one of the company's most popular eye shadows. The idea of slipping a couple into a clutch before going out is novel, but it proves to be more appealing in theory than in practice. The seven shades range from gleamy gold Corsica to Peg Bundy-approved Aegean, and their shininess is, well, eye-popping. Still, if you're into dancing under a disco ball (or sparkling like one), the cards could be keepers. One suggestion: Use a brush to apply; the recommended fingertip method is too messy. $24.

NARS GOLD LIP GLOSS

Moon Fleet, the new lip gloss color from Nars' holiday collection, manages to make gold glitz look festive and work-party appropriate — a tricky combo. The secret? The yellow-gold and platinum sparkles are teensy, and the base gloss is clear. Together, they offer a nonsticky sheen that will see you through most of a cocktail party (at least past hors d'oeuvres). Wear the gloss alone for low-impact glimmer or layer over lipstick to kick up your holiday sparkle. $23.

TARTE GLITTERATI EYE TRIO

Ready to trade up from Maybelline's Great Lash? Tarte's Glitterati set is about as luxe as eye makeup gets. The set includes black mascara (in a lavender faux-crocodile case that your stacked pumps would envy), a silver mascara and a silver liquid eyeliner that looks like the tube of glitter you knew and loved in third-grade art class. The trio is meant to be layered: first eyeliner, then black mascara and finally silver mascara. But unless looking like a 16-year-old club kid is your thing, you might want to take a more subtle approach. A few strokes of the silver mascara on top of the black delivers a long-lasting, subtly sexy shimmer. The eyeliner, best worn sparingly and sans other eye makeup, will add an irresistible twinkle to your lids — or to your next DIY craft project. $28.