Party (The Night Away) Makeup
Silly season is in full swing and with Christmas literally around the corner, I can’t be the only one who is living my best festive life. End-of-year drinks, hosting roast dinners for my friends, dinners out on the town… Mistletoe me up!
I know I spoke about avoiding the festive burnout last week and I do practice what I preach BUT I do absolutely love this time of year. It’s the one time of the year where “But it’s Christmas” can be used as an excuse for almost anything.
A big part of my enjoyment is of course getting glammed up. You know I love my sequins and this time of the year I can really go for it. Not that I need an excuse the rest of the year :)
I particularly love party makeup. Francoise Nars once said: “Treat your makeup like jewellery for the face. Play with colours, shapes, structure – it can transform you.” I have always loved this quote and generally do live by it. I know I am a makeup artist and experimenting comes naturally to me, but I am also impatient and almost always in a hurry, which is why the tips and tricks I share with you guys are genuinely simple and easy, making elevating your look easy as (mince) pie. In this post I’ll be focusing mainly on lips and glitter, the simplest and quickest way to get your fabulous on.
So whether you’re doing OUT OUT makeup from scratch or doing a desk to dancefloor dash, here are my top tricks for getting party ready – no glam squad required.
Lipstick
Ah, the old faithful. Is there anything that is quicker, easier and more impactful? I’ll wait…
A bold lip can transform your face in an instant. New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott said it best: “Joy is the best makeup but a little lipstick is a close runner-up.”
Ways to apply
Blot it on with your finger for a stained finish. Super easy and simple.
Apply a liner first and the straight from the bullet for a full-on lip.
Top tip: Use the liner all over the lip before the lipstick as this will add longevity to the lip. Also concealer around the edges for an extra pop.
Apply from bullet and then blend around the edges with a pencil brush for a blurred finish. This is my personal fave.
Glossy red lip. These will move more than a lipstick, but I do love a high shine lip.
My ultimate red lip. It’s the perfect orangey-red and will literally suit anyone. No matter your skin tone, eye colour or age. The velvet matte finish is exquisite and comfortable on the lip.
This is a brilliant, brilliant product. It goes on wet, dries and then stays put for hours on end. The shade is rich and suits everyone. It boasts high-impact colour and low-maintenance longwear.
NYX Professional Makeup Shout Loud Hydrating Satin Lipstick in Red Haute
This lipstick feels super premium which is brilliant considering it’s £8. It’s comfortable and hydrating and the red is vibrant and super pigmented.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Spiced Collection Liquid Lipstick Shade 320
This lipstick really does stay put and doesn’t transfer. Make sure you exfoliate your lips beforehand and add some lip balm, leave the balm on for 10 minutes minimum and then wipe it off just before you apply the lipstick. This will help prevent the product from drying out the lips.
Ooooh I adore these pencils. And dragon red is a best seller because it suits everyone. Easy to use, longwear and it packs a punch when it comes to vibrancy.
Grown-Up Glitter
You didn’t think I’d leave this out, did you? Not on my – self-professed glitter queen – watch. Grown-up, statement-making glitter is absolutely fabulous during the party season. If you’re nervous about the application, don’t be! Confidence is key here.
My Top Tips and Tricks:
Try and do the eyes first if using glitter in case any drops
If you’re applying glitter later in the day and your base is already done, hold a bit of tissue under the eye to catch any fallout.
If there is fallout, use a bit of cello tape to remove it quickly. Clever, right?
Press on with your finger to make the most of the pigment.
If you want to go all out, spritz your brush with a setting spray and then dip into the palette. I always only dip into the bottom right of my shadow pan when using a setting spray. If you dip right in the centre, the shadow may not blend as well when not using a spray. So just doing this in the bottom right doesn’t ruin the shadow.
This is one of my fave glitter palettes mainly because it’s so easy to use. Literally swipe over a clean lid for a wash of sparkle or pat over a smoky eye for a party-ready transformation.
This are just a joy to apply. They are a full-on, pigmented pressed glitter so it can be worn alone or layered. This rich, old-gold shade is just stunning. It will work on all skin tones and ages. It also blends surprisingly well. Always use a clean brush for a seamless finish. A dirty brush can make the shadow gather. Big no-no.
These are just gorgeous. Bodyography itself is one of those hidden gem brands. And this product is beautiful as it’s so easy to use and is so high-shine it almost looks like a dry gloss. The colours are pigmented, wearable and overall joyous.
These really are fab for the price point. More of a full-on pressed pigment glitter over a wash, these can be worn alone or blended over any eyeshadow. Top tip; try pressing a touch into the centre of the lid and blend slightly. This is the highest point of the eyelid and will look like a flash of light when you blink.
Ok, he’s done it again with this one. These are chrome packed shadows that glide on leaving a high impact shadow behind. This palette is for anyone that loves to experiment with colour. It has an array of stunning shades that can work well together or alone. Go on, give it a go, its only makeup after all!
This is a great loose glitter if you’re going for more of a Cher vibe. Pat a touch of clear gloss on the eye and then stick your glitter to it. I love to scatter glitter like this all over the lid, because if you’re gonna do it, then go all out!
I had to include this baby as it’s probably the most-used glitter in my kit. Mainly because it photographs so beautifully. It has a multitude of colours on every speck and these hit the light like a disco ball on a sunny day. It’s a special glitter that makes an impact. It looks beautiful lightly patted over a glossy smoky eye.
There you have it my fabulously festive friends! Makeup is such a miraculous tool that can seriously boost your confidence. There are absolutely zero established rules – especially during the party season – so go all-out with a bold lip and a glittery eye. In the words of Pat McGrath: “Creativity is your best makeup skill, don’t be afraid to experiment.”
Happy painting!
Love,
Lisa