Putting on the perfect, full party face can be daunting, especially as today’s consumers are spoiled for choice by countless, tempting products on the market. But never fear, for here’s our step-by-step guide to Instagram-worthy posing. Appearing your absolute best, you can look back on the special moments with pride and joy – after all, Christmas and New Year come only once a year.
Start with a clean, clear canvas courtesy of French luxury house Givenchy’s colour-correcting Prisme Primer. Settling gently on the skin with a smooth matte finish, it evens out the complexion while fortifying the dermis with SPF 20 and a vitamin- and anti-oxidant-rich formula.
Next, blend in Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation by Smashbox. The film set-inspired brand based in Culver City, California is known for primers and foundations that give skin an almost airbrush effect. This liquid formula delivers a lightweight, medium-to-full, buildable coverage that is sweat-resistant and stays put under the heat of the party lights.
For a flawless surface to welcome the colours to come, what better name to help you glam up than makeup artist Natasha Moor? Simply apply her Secret Perfector Concealer on any blemish or visible imperfection. Gliding on this medium-to-full coverage stick concealer is as smooth as butter, thanks to a curved point design that gives you total flexibility and control during application.
Follow this with Contour Sculpting Powder from the bag of another star makeup artist, Natasha Denona. It’s just the ticket to give your complexion that natural, softly contoured look. Apply the powder lightly in the hollows of the cheeks, on and under the jaw line, and on the temples. It adds depth and subtly defines the cheekbones for an overall slimming effect.
Highlight your features with a bright, dewy glow. Placing the attention to the T-zone: forehead, cheekbones, inner eye area, bridge of the nose, chin and cupid’s bow all deserve to be emphasised. Make them prominent with tri-colour palette Le Cushion Encre De Peau Luminous Highlighter by French luxury brand YSL Beauté.
Now it’s time to set and press. To make sure everything stays in place, spritz your face with Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dewy Set Setting Spray before pressing on Ultimate Setting Powder from makeup guru Patrick Starrr’s One/Size beauty line. These tip-top setting products impart a smoother, more natural and longer-lasting finish, especially on oily skin since they soak up excess sebum.
Moving on to the eyes, the eyebrows need your attention first. French luxury goods conglomerate Louis Vuitton puts out a game-changing, multi-functional product through one of the beauty brands in its armoury, Make Up For Ever. Pro Sculpting Brow is a three-in-one tool built with a slanted-edge pencil tip, brush and sponge tip. It sculpts the brows and thus transforms the face in three easy steps: define, contour and highlight.
Next up are the eyelids, and this is where the true fun begins; treat the lids to the plant-based Blooming Edition Garden of Light Palette by vegan beauty brand Dear Dahlia. Boasting skin-loving ingredients and flower extracts in the form of nine buildable, non-creasing, neutral, sun-kissed tones, its velvety mattes, silky-smooth shimmers and high-sparkle glitters offer effortless yet glamo day-to-night glam.
To define the eyes, dress the lash line with Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty standout, Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner. Waterproof, smudge-proof and long-lasting, this liner is formulated with ultra-black pigments designed to accentuate the eyes. Due to a built-in, flexible brush tip of some 1,000 vegan bristles, wearers can easily create thin or thick lines with seamless precision and control, whether they are going for a subtle wing or a sharp cat’s eye.
Adding bold drama to the overall look, you cannot go glam without mascara. New York-based cosmetics company Tarte’s gluten-free Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara not only adds definition, but curls as it strokes on for an eye-popping appeal. The mineral- and vitamin-rich formula also keeps lashes perky and fluttering throughout the night.
Before looking to the lips, spray on Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dewy Set Setting Spray once more to ensure everything stays in place. Then, finish with a layer (or two) of Gucci Beauty’s Rouge de Beauté Brilliant lipstick. Imparting instant radiance to the face, the lip tint is available in three new shades (in a range of 18) – 308 Lucy Dark Orange, 508 Diana Amber and 517 Abbie Maroon Red. These also provide a nourishing, moisturising and longwearing effect. All done? Finish your routine and you can start making your best impression during the forthcoming holiday hurrah.