Festive Party Beauty

It's that time of year again! I definitely have my Scrooge tendencies but one thing I can certainly get on board with is gorgeous festive makeup. It may seem a little premature but a lot of workplaces seem to have their Christmas parties in the first week of December so I thought I'd put this up now. However this sort of look would also be perfect for New Year's Eve or even a night out on Boxing Day or Christmas Eve.

Toni & Guy Fluid Metal Styler* | £90 (Currently £44.99) | post

I always start with hair and I like to do big, loose waves with a few tighter curls mixed in. This Toni & Guy styler is perfect as it just does it all; I can use it to straighten the front, do really loose waves or spiral curls. It glides effortlessly over my hair without pulling, snagging or dragging and the style always stays in place.

Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray | £6.99 | post

I run my fingers through the curls just to keep things nice and tousled before giving my roots a spray with my trusty Charles Worthington texturising spray to add some volume and grip.

L'Oreal Elnett Normal Strength Hairspray | £6.70

Another staple haircare product for me is my Elnett hairspray. I give my hair a good spray with this and it holds my hair in place (with no crunch!) all night.

Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Calypso Kiss* | £11

I'm the kind of person who likes to leave about 3 hours to get ready so I can listen to music, have a natter and just be a little bit leisurely. Though I do invariably end up running late anyway... But this is the time where I stop to paint my nails and have a glass of wine whilst I'm at it! For the festive season, Leighton Denny's Calypso Kiss is perfect. It's a stunning metallic, iridescent fuchsia shade that's not too glitzy but adds a bit of festive sparkle. The shade is so opaque you'll be good after one coat! 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Primer | £10 | post

For a night out, prepping the skin is a must. I love the Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot as it reduces my shine without being drying (it's actually fairly hydrating). It ensures my base goes on perfectly and that it lasts.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup | £30 | post

For a full, matte winter evening look it just has to be Double Wear! This is incredibly long-lasting, looks flawless on the skin and keeps my face shine-free for the evening. It's definitely one I keep for nights out but for a Christmas party it's perfect. I recommend applying this using a flat foundation brush like Nanshy's (review here).

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer | £22 | post

The perfect 'flawless skin' concealer for me is definitely Nars' Radiant Creamy. It eliminates any redness and covers blemishes like no other.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Medium-Dark | £49 | post

For me, the highlighter is a little more summery so for this look I'd just use the bronzer for a little bit of subtle definition and glow. Although it has a shimmer to it, it just looks dewy and natural on the skin. The shade itself adds some warmth but is cool enough to sculpt a little bit with.

The Balm Mary Loumanizer | £17.50 | post

This is my 'bells and whistles' highlighter. Becca's Champagne Pop is gorgeous too but for accessibility I've chosen the Mary Loumanizer. It's a stunning champagne gold that's so buttery and blend-able. It adds some serious glow that you can definitely get away with during the festive period.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure | £28 | post

My obsession with this blusher is verging on parody, I realise, but this is honestly what I'd wear with this look! It's a gorgeous mauve-y shade that's plummy enough to add some life. I love the glow without glitter and this is seriously long-lasting. I would apply this lightly for an understated look so it ties in with the berry lip without grabbing the spotlight too much.

MAC Pro Refill Eyeshadow Pan in Amber Lights | £10 | post

When I'm wearing a berry lip, as a rule I keep the eyes simple. Therefore with this look I'd just wear MAC's Amber Lights right across the lid. It's a stunning bright amber-gold shimmer that's perfect for this time of year.

Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade | £15

For my eyebrows, a night out means going a little bit bolder but also ensuring my eyebrows keep the rest of my face balanced. I use the ABH DipBrow Pomade in Granite and apply it with Zoeva's Wing Liner Brush.

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner | £6 | post

I couldn't go on a night out without my winged liner and my favourite product for it is Soap & Glory's Supercat. It's so pigmented and black but doesn't smudge or transfer as the night goes on. The nib is the perfect shape and size and it's really easy to control your line.

Benefit's They're Real Mascara | £19.50

Any Christmassy look has to be finished off with lashings of mascara! So for plenty of length and a bit of oomph and volume, I load up on the Benefit They're Real mascara. If you fancy it, finish off the look with some lashes. My current favourites are the Fleur de Force Eyelure Fleur Loves 3/4 lashes. They're not too much at all but it'll look like you just have naturally amazing lashes!

MAC Matte Lipstick in Diva | £15.50 | post

I love berry lips for Winter and MAC Diva is a classic. It has a matte finish but isn't too drying and lasts incredibly well on the lips (very important for a Christmas party when you'll always have a drink in hand...) If you want a budget version then try Maybelline's Divine Wine. I always use my KIKO lip liner with a berry lip to keep things clean and defined, however unfortunately that one's no longer available!

What's your go-to look for the party season?

 

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*DISCLOSURE - ITEMS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK ARE PR SAMPLES/GIFTS. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. PLEASE VISIT MY DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.