The Christmas season is party time, so here are some tips from our Stylist, Armand Beasley to help you turn up the glamour and feel festively fabulous
I love this time of year. All the festive lights are up and there’s the hustle and bustle of the lead-up to Christmas, party invitations, Strictly Come Dancing and, of course, panto. It’s also a time to think of others, whether that means wondering what to buy your loved ones or checking in on people you know who may find this time of year more challenging.
Of course, party season also means it’s time to give yourself a pamper and turn up the glamour for those Christmas get-togethers. So if you’re feeling glum rather than glam, never fear: your Genie of the Compact is here!
When it comes to winter make-up and trends, it’s very much about products that not only make you look fantastic but also include ingredients that feel wonderful on the skin.
We are seeing the return of deep plums and black-cherry lip colours, which look stunning on women of any age and complexion – it’s just knowing how to wear them that counts. If you’re apprehensive about dark lips, then apply, blot with tissue and finish with a clear gloss to add a soft illusion of volume with a more subtle version of the colour. Team with lashings of mascara and a neutral yet slightly shimmering shadow.
Spray some hairspray onto a disposable mascara wand, then comb it through to help tame unruly brows. Follow with a pop of your favourite blush on the apples of your cheeks, with a touch of matte bronzer under the cheekbones, overlapping slightly into the blush to give warmth.
Finish off with a glitter-free highlighter on top of the cheekbones to maximise glamour and vitality. If you want to help make your make-up last longer while you dance the night away, then invest in a good fixer. I adore Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray.
Finally, don’t forget to show your body some love this winter. What else could you possibly need but Pro Body Glow (probodyglow.co.uk), my 100% natural multipurpose balm, to not only make your skin feel smooth and nourished but to give a gorgeous gleam. They’ll be no turning into a pumpkin at midnight this year, Cinders.
Three to try
Delilah Stay the Night Smooth Shadow Stick Trio, £42 delilahcosmetics.com
Dance the night away without fear of your eyeshadow disappearing with these three handy shadow sticks presented in a lovely gift box. Hot Chocolate is a matte chocolate brown; Cinnamon Swirl is a shimmering copper bronze, and Pink Champagne is a pearlescent peachy pink. They are so easy to use, plus they are crease and smudge resistant and come with a built-in sharpener too!
Emani Healthy Lash Mascara, £25 emanivegan.co.uk
A gentle mascara that thickens without clumping while lifting up the lashes for a wide-eyed effect. The ingredients are great too, with cucumber extract to soothe and condition the lashes of sensitive eyes. A blend of waxes help with the flexibility of the lash, while castor oil can help boost growth.
Kure Bazaar Refillable Vegan Lipstick, £38 (refill £18) johnandginger.co.uk
A stunning collection of 28 shades with 14 available in satin, eight in matte and five as a tinted balm. The vegan formula is a real treat for the lips, with ingredients like shea and cocoa butters, wild mango and hydrating squalene providing comfort and smooth application. My favourite shades for this season are Cherie, which is a very wearable deep cherry satin shade, and Scandal, which is a dramatic, bold matte lipstick. There are also nudes, pinks and classic reds all housed in a chic refillable lipstick ‘bullet’ which is then presented in a quirky pouch, hand sewn in Italy using recovered denim.
Pictures: Adobe Stock
