The festive season is imminent. The Christmas party invites are rolling in and I’m starting to plan what beauty and fashion looks I want to go for. With beauty at my fingertips, I’m sharing how I like to use every product in our super sparkly Time to Shine Party Edit. Need some inspiration? I’ve got you covered with the 16 products you didn’t know you needed until now. Worth £120, this festive edit is packed full of everything needed to look and feel your best for only £26.
ALL IN THE PREP
MUM & YOU GET UP & GLOW BODY SCRUB
If there’s one thing I am guilty of, it’s not following a proper bodycare routine. I know, why do I even work in beauty? The product that’s changed that in recent weeks is Mum & You’s Get Up & Glow Body Scrub. Similar to those found in The Body Shop, this enriching formula embeds natural grains to gently get to work slogging of the dead skin cells to reveal more polished pins. If you’re going tights free, this is a must.
STRIVECTIN ADVANCED ACIDS TRI-PHASE DAILY GLOW TONER
A slightly more luxurious alternative to my go-to Pixi Glow Tonic, this daily toner is one I use before a night out, especially when my skin is looking as dull and gloomy as the weather. Harnessing a powerhouse of acids, this leaves my skin smooth, hydrated and bright – the perfect base for makeup.
PATCHOLOGY PERFECT TEN SELF-WARMING HAND AND CUTICLE MASK
My hands (and especially my cuticles) are more often than not in terrible condition. As one of my go-to mask brands, Patchology has pulled through with this winter saviour. I’ll pop this on before a manicure to leave my chapped hands rejuvenated and my cuticles softened. Bliss.
THE VINTAGE COSMETIC COMPANY MAKEUP APPLICATOR
If I have more time to play with my makeup, I’ll take at least an hour to do my base. Yes, really. When time is on my side, instead of my HG beauty blender, I’ll opt for this silicone alternative. This is particularly good if you’re after a heavier base as it glides on top of the skin as opposed to being buffed in.
E.L.F COSMETICS MINERAL INFUSED FACE PRIMER
If I know I am going to hit the dancefloor hard, a makeup primer is mandatory. A great alternative to the cult Smashbox Foundation Primer, this drugstore fave combats oil and shine while providing the perfect base for my foundation. Now that’s covered, all I’ve got to do is work on my dance moves.
EYES THAT SPARKLE
SOAP & GLORY LID STUFF (SHADE MAY VARY)
A great alternative to my beloved Bobbi Brown Shadow Sticks, this purse friendly version packs a punch when it comes to pigment and ease of application. I reach for these (especially Matte Rose) when I need to take my look from office bore to social chic. The creamy formula quite literally transforms your look in less than a minute and as a self-proclaimed lazy gal, that’s what I live for.
BARRY M GLITTER BOMB OH SNAP
I mentioned earlier I was a cliché, so of course I’m going to love anything with glitter for the festive season. When I’m wearing eyeshadow and going more nude on the lip, I’ll dab a layer of the Glitter Bomb over the top to make my eyes sparkle. It offers minimal fall out and lasts as long as your party – result!
SPARKLE FANTASY COSMETICS GLITTER POT
For extra impact, I will also add a few dabs of Sparkle Fantasy’s glitter to my eyes – or if I’m feeling fly, I’ll dab a few specks over my lipstick (it sticks when just applied).
EYLURE LUXE OPULENT LASHES
It’s a known fact among my peers that I love a lash lift, but it’s not something I keep up with regularly. If I’m caught short (much like my lashes) I’ll opt for falsies. I’ve been loyal to the Eylure brand for as long as I can remember, and these faux mink lashes have been the latest lash obsession. If I don’t have time to go all out on my makeup, popping these on instantly transforms my look and hides any sleep sins I may be harbouring. This is one way to fake looking awake while looking opulent at the same time, that’s for sure. They’re super lightweight (surprisingly) and, you’ll be pleased to know, aren’t too much of a faff to apply.
GET LIPPY
A.T ANTAO MINI COLOURLUX LIPSTICK
I have a number of red lipsticks (more than I’d care to admit, actually) but they only seem to make an appearance during the latter months. Red for Christmas? You betcha. What can I say? I’m a cliché. A.T. Antao lipsticks are creamy and vibrant – two key selling points for me when it comes to a party worthy lip. Whether worn glossy or matte (there’s an occasion for both I assure you) these hues instantly capture attention.
FINAL TOUCHES
KLORANE DRY SHAMPOO WITH OAT MILK
Since going au-natural with my hair colour, I’ve noticed my roots getting oilier a lot quicker. This hinders my hair wash routine, simply because I really don’t like to wash it more than three/four times a week. Thankfully, Klorane’s Oat Milk formulated Dry Shampoo banishes the grease in just a few spritzes, keeping my hair fresher for longer. This hair hero also adds volume in just two minutes without the white residue – as experienced with other dry shampoos. Sometimes I like to spray my roots and blow dry my hair for that just washed oomph!
GEORGANICS NATURAL TOOTHPASTE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
When it comes to toothpaste, I’m usually the girl who will buy whatever is on offer. For when I want a fancier clean (Christmas soirees are a good excuse) I’ll opt for an activated charcoal formula. This particular non-foaming formula creates a natural, minty and mildy abrasive paste which I like to use to freshen my breath before a night out.
4711 THE ORIGINAL EAU DE COLOGNE WATCH BOTTLE
If you don’t have a dedicated fragrance for day and night, you’re doing it all wrong. If you want to feel original and smug when someone asks you what scent you’re wearing, this is the one for you. This, for me, is reserved for evenings as it packs more of a punch than my day fragrance and I like to smell different to the norm.
POST PARTY FAVES
NIVEA DAILY ESSENTIALS DOUBLE EFFECT EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER
If you can’t get your hands on Clarins’ Bi-Phase Instant Eye Make-Up Remover, the Nivea version is a worthy dupe. After a party, the last thing I want to do is embark on my extensive cleansing routine (I know, sue me!) so anything that can remove the bulk of my look in an instant is a winner in my eyes. To avoid waking looking like a hungover panda, I swipe a couple of cotton pads soaked with this clever two-phase formula (the oval ones, obvs) over my eyes to effectively remove all eye makeup. I like to break the rules, so I’ll often use this to remove base makeup too.
OLVERUM THE BODY OIL
My hangover cure consists of three steps: Fast food, a bath and then bed. To alleviate tired limbs from too much dancing, I’ll massage a few drops of this luxe body oil all over before sinking into the tub for the ultimate post night out ritual.
