A quick guide to Christmas Day make-up
I love the whole festive period and all the socialising that comes with it. Christmas Eve drinks with friends you haven’t seen for ages, a Boxing Day brunch composed of turkey sandwiches and cheese and crackers, and of course the main feast of tomorrow: Christmas Day. How is beauty relevant to all of this? Well, for many of us such gatherings mean getting out some make-up to make the skin sheen, the eyes sparkle and the lips pop.
A cherry-red lipstick is the perfect nod to the festivities. I have been trying the new Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored, which is apparently a suits-everyone hue. It is the perfect red for which Rihanna herself searched high and low, and has all you could want from a Christmas lipstick. Plus, it genuinely lasts all day. If you love red lipstick, apply with abandon for comfortable, matte colour. If you usually struggle with red, I’d suggest tapping on a little of the colour with your ring finger or blending it with a lip balm. The shade is so good.
The beauty essentials to have in your handbag throughout party season
If you prefer to put the focus on your eyes, may I direct you towards Pat McGrath Labs’ Metalmorphosis 005 Eye Kits? They are pricey (￡55 for an eyeliner, two shadows and a ‘mixing liquid’), but the quality is impeccable. Apply the gold pressed powder in a wash across the eyelids, or just dab it on the centre of each eyelid for a grown-up, bold shimmer that catches the light in just the right way.
I personally love the fresh, flushed look of rosy cheeks when you’ve just been out for a Christmas walk in the freezing weather. If you’d rather sit in front of the telly, though, watching Home Alone for the 17th time, I don’t blame you. Cheat and achieve that flush with the Cloud Paint liquid blushers by Glossier.
Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff, ￡15
This comes in a few shades, but this pink is lovely.
Guerlain Gold Palette, ￡59
The dreamiest of make-up palettes.
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored, ￡19
This goes on like a liquid but dries matte and velvety.
Pat McGrath Labs Metalmorphosis 005 Eye Kit in Gold, ￡55
Just a little of the gold pressed powder goes a long way.
Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Everyday Perfection Bouncy Makeup, ￡28
This keeps the complexion glowing all day.