Discover how to get a flawless makeup look for Christmas

Is Christmas not the most exciting time of the year? It’s a magical time when you can let your hair down and get together with family and friends. You can dance to some of the latest hit numbers, the Christmas jingles and let the drinks flow free. One of the best parts of going to a party is getting ready, doing your makup and finding a pretty dress to wear. With the party season in full swing you have the chance to go all out on your makeup. Glam up your eyes, make your skin glow and maybe even try a red lip. This year, we’re embracing the metallic trend and adding a hit of sparkle for a dramatic evening look that’s perfect for Christmas. Think glowing skin, metallic smokey eyes and a striking red lip. Does that sound glamorous enough? Discover how to get a flawless makeup look this Christmas.

The first step to flawless makeup is looking after your skin

If you don’t take care of your skin, any makeup you apply will quite simply look rubbish. Cleansers are great for eliminating dead skin cells and sebum from your skin. Dermatologists say that you should clean your skin in the morning and the evening, and after thorough cleansing, apply your desired facial care products.

Select the right base products to get a flawless makeup look

A primer will help your makeup go on more smoothly and last longer and is definitely a worthy investment. If you’re looking for a Christmas party to attend, you’ll find that some primers really help in brightening up your overall look. There are many different primers in the beauty sphere all intended for different uses from blurring, colour correcting, anti-aging, iluminating, pore minimising, hydrating and mattifying so make sure you choose a primer that suits your skincare needs. When applying, focus on the parts of your face that the foundation tends to rub off easily, such as around the nose and mouth.

The last step in creating flawless skin is applying your foundation. For the daytime, you can use BB cream which has built-in anti-aging benefits and gives skin a radiant glow. For nighttime, opt for a full coverage foundation. The key to finding the right foundation for you is finding the formula best suited for your skin type. For oily skin, try a foundation with oil-absorbing technology that will help keep shine under control throughout the day. For dry skin, look for moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid or lactic acid that will plump up fine lines and provide hydration without feeling heavy or greasy.

Use a sponge or brush to apply your foundation in even strokes, concentrating on areas with the most visible discolouration. If you have dark circles, mix a little bit of foundation with concealer on the back of your hand, then apply gently with a brush.

• Tip: If you’re worried about having redness on your skin, concentrate the foundation in the centre of your face, where redness and blemishes tend to be more problematic. Apply just a dab of foundation on each side of your nose and in the centre of your forehead and chin, then blend outward.

Shape your eyebrows

Many women have trouble shaping their eyebrows perfectly. Some have a problem with eyebrow growth, and some with the shaping their brows effectively at home. When shaping your eyebrows it’s important to remember your eyebrows are sisters not twins. There are plenty of guides on Youtube or you can check out my tips on how to get flawless brows. If neither eyebrow pencils or Youtube tutorials work for you, why not try lamination or eyebrow tattoos, women all around the world are big fans. These type of treatments save you a lot of time, and you will look great whatever the occasion.

Don’t forget to create a dramatic look with eye makeup

When it comes to Christmas, nothing beats gold glitter eyes — one of the most popular colours associated with the holiday season. To get this stunning eye makeup look, you’ll need to start with a primer, which will ensure that your eye makeup does not budge. Glitter has a nasty habit of spilling all over the place, so keep a piece of tissue behind your eye to wipe up any spillage. You may also attempt laying down transparent powder and then brushing away the excess glitter once you’re through.

If you prefer something a little more low key you can also opt for a smokey eye look. Put down a medium brown shadow on the eyelid and into the outer V. Put a dark brown across the crease and blend it into medium brown on the lid and up into the brow bone; be sure to mix well into the lash line, as this will keep eyeshadow from looking harsh. Many people don’t like black eyeshadow or any other dark shade because they think it will look unpleasant. But if you use a bit of medium brown shadow under it, you can still get a definition without all those harsh lines.

• Don’t forget: An eyeliner pencil is the first step for beautiful eyes that really stand out!
• The key is to first do your eye makeup, spraying on some setting spray on your freshly applied eye makeup so that it sets. To make the eyeshadow look more dramatic, apply eyeliner along the top lash line in addition to the bottom. Finally, apply a layer of mascara or apply artificial eyelashes.

A perfect red lip is the perfect finish for any flawless makeup look

You’re probably already familiar with the basics: red lipstick = confidence, red lipstick = sexy, red lipstick = power. But how do you get that perfect shade and application? The best way to get a flawless red lip is to start with a good foundation on your lips. If you’d rather avoid applying foundationon your lips, you can also use concealer a base to apply your lipstick on top of. Whatever your skin type, you’ll want to use a concealer one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone to prime your lips. It will help the lipstick go on smoothly without darkening it in an unflattering way.

A quick swipe of lip balm is all you need next. Your lips should be smooth and hydrated but not slippery or sticky. Once you’ve applied the concealer and lip balm, it’s time for the lipstick! The best way to get a perfect red lip is by using a lip brush. The angled shape allows you to get into all corners of your mouth and fill in any gaps that remain after applying directly from the tube. It will also keep colour from getting onto areas of your face where it doesn’t belong.

Lastly, don’t forget to apply a little shimmer bronzer or highlighter for a finishing touch. With a little added shimmer your skin will glow and all eyes will be on you.

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Guest post by Alison Pearson. Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, and her ultimate passion is art and architecture. She is also a bibliophile and her favourite book is “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner.