Simple Christmas party make-up

Christmas party make-up is often more dramatic than everyday make-up, but there is no reason to be afraid of trying out some new products. Used correctly, darker tones and more glitzy looks can enhance your natural beauty, compliment your outfit, and impress fellow party-goers. 

Glamorous party looks

Five simple steps to create your Christmas look

• Match your make-up to your outfit. When attending a Christmas party decide which dress you are going to wear before planning your make-up. For example, if choosing to wear a red dress, ensure that your lipstick is a matching tone of red. Many women will opt for black, so you can go to town on your eye and lip colours to brighten up your face to counterbalance the fact that black can be draining next to an older face.

Try our smoky eye make-up masterclass

• Moisturise well and then apply a face primer to your skin. Moisturising is important all year round but particularly so in the colder months when your skin may be drier and tighter. Adding a face primer on top of moisturiser will not only give you a great base for your foundation but also help your make-up to stay looking fresh from dawn till dusk.

Does your moisturiser work?

• Christmas party make-up can allow you to try out more glam looks but I would recommend sticking to your usual foundation and face make-up routine. However, if your skin has the tendency to look washed out in the winter months add some extra blusher and maybe a sweep of bronzer to add warmth. However don’t over-do either - blend well to keep the look subtle. Use a highlighter on your cheek and brow bones to give shape to the face and make your face look soft and dewy in evening light.

Make-up and the older woman

• Don’t be afraid of experimenting with darker colours on the eyes, but be mindful of your skin tone and which colours suit you. For a sultrier evening look, apply a lighter shade to the lid and then apply a darker eye shadow into and above the natural socket line and also to the outer edges of the lid. Blend really well with a clean brush. This will give you a smoky effect – a great classic party look. Finally take a small wedge shaped brush and push the darker colour shade along the lash line to make your lashes look thicker.

Try our eye make-up masterclass

• Although we are told not to have both intense eye and lip make-up, during party season you can bend the rules slightly!  Ensure that you choose the right colouring to compliment your skin tone but don’t be afraid to use darker colours than usual. A statement lip colour can look particularly fabulous against a black dress. Prime the lips properly to prevent ‘bleeding’; this will also help your lipstick to last during a night of dancing! A great tip of mine is to create a lip stain with your lipstick by rubbing it into your lips with a finger. Then apply a couple more coats using a lip brush, blotting in between. Finish with gloss for an extra special festive look.

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