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Christmas Party Picks: The Makeup

For those of you who’ve yet to experience the ‘never boring, always gossip-filled’ event of the Christmas party yet this year, whether it be with friends, family or colleagues, I thought I’d make the whole thing a little easier by pre-selecting makeup, clothing and accessory options for the upcoming evening. I’ll serve each course up over the next two days, but I’m kicking things off with three beauty edits to satisfy every need; whether you’re searching for the perfect red lip that will still be hanging around after a glass (or three) of wine, a smokey eye to seduce the guy from your section (swit swoo) or a speedy selection that you can slap on without even leaving your desk, I’ve got it covered.

THE RED LIP. Common’ it’s a classic. May I suggest a full coverage start consisting of YSL Youth Liberator Serum Foundation and Estée Lauder Double-Wear Stay In Place Concealer – a no-budge base is key. Whenever a rouge pout comes out I like to keep it simple on the cheeks; Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder in Medium and the RMS Living Luminizer are a good carving out combo. The Maybelline Brow Gel, L’Oreal Pais Superliner Blackbuster and MaxFactor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara club together to create a glamour puss-like definition to the eye and then for lips I’d put forward the YSL Glossy Stain in 9. A straight-up red that coats the lips with a pigmented, high-shine lacquer that once worn away leaves a ‘I’m still here’ stain.

THE SPEEDY SOLUTION. If your party set-up calls for a desk to dinner makeover then I’ve got just the selection that can easily be thrown into your bag in the morning along with your heels. It all boils down to the Laura Mercier Colour-to-Go Portable Palette in Natural Nudes. Inside it houses three shadows, a liner, a bronzer, blusher and a lipgloss. Pair with a flat brush for the shadow and liner, smoke things out with your fingers and grab a fluffy brush to take care of bronzer and blush – done. The inclusion of a concealer and powder (maybe a bit of YSL Touche Elcat and the CHANEL Les Beiges Powder?) to correct any complexion woes and a brow tamer (hello Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil) to put things back in place might be worth chucking in your makeup bag too.

THE SMOKEY EYE. A glammed-up progression from an easy peasy everyday look. When things are heavier on the eye I like to keep things dewy on the face; a mix of CHANEL Le Blanc de CHANEL and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation do that (it’s my favourite foundation blend right now actually). A bit of concealer to cover any bags or blemishes, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is a good’un and a touch of colour on the cheeks like BECCA’s Mineral Blush in Flowerchild, is next on your list. To keep all your hard work in place an eye primer is essential; NARS’ Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eye Primer is the best that I’ve come across, then it’s time to get to work on the eyes. For that I plumped for the NARS And God Created the Women Palette (which is now back in stock on Space NK FYI), a mix of amped-up neutrals that have that whole bronzey thing down. I actually did a very similar combo that I buffed on in this video, complete with a touch of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Bronze and the YSL Faux Cils Waterproof Mascara. To finish off may I propose a balmy au naturale offering for the lips? Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Lustre in Seduction.

For the festive style drop of clothing, shoes and everything in between, check back tomorrow. I may even be sporting a dress. Shocker.

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