At this time of year, there’s so much left over – pastries, pine needles, pigs in blankets – but so little time. This means pre-party preparations can be hectic. Yes, we all want to walk around in a bathtub for hours in a robe. I think it was the model Laura Bailey who said that because she puts on her makeup before taking a bath, the steam gives her the perfect glow for her base. . But while I dream of multi-masking and languidly dabbing my cleavage with a glass perfume stopper in my boudoir, the reality is five minutes at my desk or in the back seat of a taxi (warning: (Don’t use an eyelash curler in a moving car) – I know someone who ripped out an eyelash when a taxi driver slammed on the brakes. ) Here’s how to make the most of your time at your desk.
let’s get ready for the party
If you have time, color your eyebrows and eyelashes for Christmas. You will spend less time adjusting your eyebrows with mascara or eyebrow gel. Then squeeze in a fake tanning session or get an overnight facial tan (I like the new one) Three Warriors Radiant Complexion Serum£70, threewarriors.co.uk) Evens out skin tone, reducing the need for primer. Next, pay attention to your makeup bag. Hunting around for products will slow you down, so get rid of items you won’t use (like highlighters seen from space). Sharpen your pencils too.
Perfect desk side cleaning
If you already have a lot of makeup on, it’s best to wash your face before going for a party look, but you’ll need a sink and a towel for this (I have the travel size) Drunk Elephant Beste No9 Jelly Cleanseryes, £15, cultbeauty.co.uk, in my desk drawer for such occasions). If you’re short on time, re-emulsify the foundation you applied that morning by massaging it with a fairly thick moisturizer, such as: Sarah Chapman R&R Glow Recovery Cream (£95, spacenk.com). This gets circulation flowing, energizes your skin back, and creates the perfect canvas to add a fresh base. A little sloppy, but ok. I also have a travel size garnier micellar cleansing water (£3.15, boots.com) and use it on a cotton pad to remove mascara and on your buds to remove debris under your eyes. This is important because any product that falls under your lower lashes will reduce your features and look very old.
Switch to stick foundation
These products are genius. Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick (Above, £35, charlottetilbury.com) Get the stripes in your T-zone and blend them easily with your fingertips. Next, use a moisturizing concealer, such as a classic concealer. Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer (£27, spacenk.com), dabbed under the eyes and around the nose.
Embrace your sparkling eyes
Prepare a soft kohl pencil (I like it) loreal paris superliner le cole£5.99, lookfantastic.com), run it under the edge of your upper eyelashes to create a natural contour, flapping as needed. Also apply just above the eyelash line. To bring out your charm, you need glittery eyeshadow. evaluate new things Elf Fine as Fleck Glitter Eyeshadow (£6, elfcosmetics.co.uk), can be applied with your fingertips and prevents accidental activation. Apply plenty of mascara if needed to catch all lashes in the inner and outer corners of your eyes.
Multitask and move
Invest in double-duty lip and cheek products like: merit flash balm (Right, £32, MeritBeauty.com). If you have a few seconds to spare, use highlighter along the inner corners of your eyes and cheekbones. veeve skin dew (£11, cultbeauty.co.uk) adds shine, not shimmer. Finally, use a quick swirl of the bronzer to blend it along your hairline, cheekbones, and under your chin. end! Now, let’s go for some eggnog.
5 more minutes? Perfect red mouth fit
Amy Adams, the makeup artist known for her Dita Von Teese-style bright red lips, reveals how she creates them.
Prep and prime your lips because the flaky areas will really show up. tear up Kiko Pure Clean Scrub & Peel Wipe (£7.99, lookfantastic.com) and rub it in half over your mouth to exfoliate. 1 pack lasts forever.
Next, use a lip treatment. Avoid balms as they are too oily and will affect the staying power of your lipstick. I like it homeoplasmin (£7.50, thefrenchpharmacy.co).
For light-colored base layers that don’t move, use a flexible lip pen like a felt-tip pen. try Kiko long lasting color lip marker (same as before, £11.99) or Stargazer Permanent Lipliner Pen (£3.83, amazon.co.uk), a good cheapie. This step ensures that even if the lipstick layer on top comes off, the color remains underneath.
If you have time, you can also use a lip liner to create the perfect lip shape. Refy Lip Sculpt Duo (£28, refybeauty.com) really lasts.
Finally, use lipstick. I think matte or satin textures work best. i love lisa eldridge true velvet lip color (Above, £27, spacenk.com) Has a very impressive formula.
within 10 seconds
new loreal paris le shadow stick (£9.99, boots.com) is comparable to more expensive eyeshadows. It is easy to use, has a silky feel on the eyelids, and gives an attractive colored glow.
can’t live without it
Hersisons wand (£120, hershesons.com). I use this hair tool every day. The thick barrel size creates perfect natural curls while brilliantly smoothing out frizz. Heat technology keeps it in place.
