Now that is officially December, the festivities can begin! I'm no party animal due to my ill-health but I can always find an excuse to up the glam factor with my makeup and there's no better time to do that than at Christmas! Today, I want to share with you the products that I will be reaching for most often over the coming weeks in terms of makeup and nail polish. I haven't listed everything I will use as some products stay the same (brow products, concealer, mascara, primer etc) but these are ones that have been rotated into my top drawer to use more often.
Nails: Last December, I treated myself to a new red nail polish and it will probably be consistently on my nails throughout the festive season. It is Burberry Military Red, which is a perfect true red colour and I also like to add some gold glitter from time to time - either for an accent nail or a little on every nail. The one I have here is from Ciate. I adore the packaging of the Burberry nail polish and it looks so Christmassy on my dressing table throughout the month of December.
Foundation: My favourite fool-proof, long-lasting, flawless skin giving foundation is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. I've raved about this foundation so many times already and don't want to bore you all again but this is the foundation that I have repurchased for around 8 years now. It is the one that I depend on for occasions when I need my base to stay perfect for a long day/night. It glides over my pores and fine lines, provides medium-full coverage, doesn't cake or cling to dry patches and it doesn't contain SPF so there is no need to worry about flashback in all of the photos that will be taken.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is a must have for me all year round but for parties or long days that turn into late nights, this is a handbag essential because it revamps my makeup in a few sprays. It instantly refreshes my base and makes me look more awake and radiant.
I have so many blushes but because the packaging of this tarte one is so glittery and stunning, I had to put it in the top drawer. It was part of last years holiday collection & is called Bling It On and contains 5 blushes so there is a shade there for all makeup looks! I love how long-wearing these blushes are so I can depend on them to see me through long days and nights.......... a running theme with the makeup in this post!
Highlighter: I am quite the highlight junkie but the one that currently has my heart is Dior Diorskin Nude Air Summer Glow Shimmer Powder. This gold highlighter is silky soft, finely milled and so easy to apply and blend. Gold highlighters work so well on me at this time of year and the packaging makes me want to leave it sitting proudly on my dressing table!
Eyes: Now this is where I can really have fun! I will either go for full on glamour/glitter eyes and nude lips or a matte eye and bright lip combination. No matter which look I go for, one addition that is screaming out to be used at Christmas, is false eye lashes! I was sent two pairs from www.falseeyelashes.co.uk and I have been practising with them because I am not the most adept at lash application but I am getting better and I just love the difference that a pair of lashes makes to any look. Both the Velour Strike A Pose and Peek-A-Boo Whiplash lashes can be worn for up to 25 times each - hence being able to practice before I actually need to wear them! I love the feathered effect of the Peek-A-Boo lashes as they look more natural and the Velour lashes have layers of hair in differing lengths, which adds a lot of volume. Both are made from mink hair but are cruelty free. They also come in sturdy packaging, which is brilliant for storing between uses. If you want to buy any false lashes for the festive season, you will be able to choose from over 1000 styles on the site and if you enter the code LASH10, you will receive a 10% discount.
If I am going for a matte eye look, I will use my Viseart Neutral Mattes Eyeshadow Palette because apart from the beautiful texture and pigmentation, these shadows are extremely long-lasting (told you there was a running theme!), With this palette, I can create a smokey eye or a basic neutral eye look, depending on my mood and the occasion.
If I want to add some shimmer into the mix, then it has to be a Natasha Denona palette. I am so utterly in love with these eyeshadows - the pigmentation is out of this world, the texture is second to none (buttery soft doesn't come close to describing it!), they almost blend themselves and again, like everything else I will be using, they last for such a long time on the eyes without any creasing, fading or transferring. They are superb! Both Natasha Denona & Viseart products can now be bought on Beauty Bay (not sponsored and I bought them with my own money but I just wanted to let you know in case you weren't aware!).
If you can't wear glitter on your eyes at Christmas, then when can you?! It isn't my usual look but I want to be seen from outer space at Christmas!! PAM sent me two Pressed Single Glitters to play with for the festive season. They say that they can be applied just like a cream eyeshadow by swiping on, but I disagree. I have found that the best way to use them is either to press over a cream eyeshadow (MAC Paint Pot or Maybelline Colour Tattoo) or by spraying either a brush or my finger with MAC Fix+ and then gently press on to my eyelid. It's best to do your eye makeup before your base when using these in case of any fall down. What I really like about these glitters is that unlike others that I have tried in the past, they don't irritate my eyes both whilst wearing them and during removal. Also, they only cost £5.99 each, which is perfect for something that you won't be wearing regularly.
The perfect liner to use no matte what eye look I am going for is Kat Von D Ink Liner. The felt tip is so easy to work with and I can easily create both a thin line or full on cat flick with this and I can depend on it to last all day and night if needed.
Lips: The obvious choice for Christmas is a red lip and my preference is for a matte lip if it is going to be so bright, which means I love using MAC Ruby Woo lip pencil and lipstick. It can be drying so I need to make sure that my lips are in good condition when using these but I find that Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Treatment keeps them soft and supple. An alternative strong lip colour is Charlotte Tilbury The Queen, which is a vivid fuchsia pink - softer than red but still a statement lip. Another Charlotte Tilbury lip option that I love and will be perfect for days when I wear a smokey eye, is Kim K-W from the Hot Lips collection. This peachy/pinky/beige/nude lipstick is extremely flattering on and comfortable to wear. It doesn't look like concealer lips and makes my pout appear fuller without the need for over-lining my lips! Another nude lip option for when I feel like wearing a gloss is Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip-Lacquer in the shade Sugar Sugar. This is unlike most glosses because it is non-sticky and pigmented. It also has a menthol aroma and tingles on the lips slightly when first applied but doesn't dry the lips out and, again, gives the illusion of fuller lips.
So that's my festive/party season makeup edit. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these products and what your picks are for this time of year? Will you be partying a lot over the coming month? Please let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading!
All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Opinion is always my own.
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