The party season's almost here – start prepping for the most glamorous time of the year with our beauty tips, latest makeup looks and skincare products
It’s holiday season, which means a back-to-back calendar of Christmas dinners and New Year’s parties is upon us. Glam Goddesses, the time to look your absolute best is now. It’s not just about that pretty dress or those head-turning stilettos – looking radiant begins with the right skincare and makeup too. To prepare you for the festive frenzy ahead, we’ve assembled a holiday beauty guide with tips aplenty to get you party-perfect. Click through the galleries for our recommended product picks.
Pre-party prep
The Hair and Now
Time’s running out, so a fast-acting, deeply-hydrating hair mask is the quick solution for your troubled tresses. Restore shine and breathe life to limp locks with a 15-minute mask after each wash. And to really transform your mane, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or Argan oil to damp hair before drying. Head to any of these Honeycombers’ recommended salons for a tip-top blowout, or if you’re DIYing it, make a nifty blowdryer your new best friend.
Pre-party pampering body rituals
Exfoliation’s the key to smoother skin. Buff your way to baby soft skin by exfoliating on a daily basis – a loofah and a scrub (a coffee one is highly recommended) will remove dead skin and improve the appearance of bumps, cellulite and scars. Don’t forget to load up on lotion to seal in the hydration.
Shop: The BodyShop Brazillian Cupuacu Scrub-in-oil ($55.90), Nivea Body Oil in Lotion Cherry Blossom & Jojoba Oil ($6.45)
The keys to a glowing complexion
Say goodbye to dull and dehydrated skin. Elevate your usual skincare routine with radiance enhancing products – be sure to include a revitalising daily-use serum to keep you looking fresh-faced all day. Remember to regularly exfoliate to remove impurities (dead skin cells diffuse light and cause skin dullness) and always follow up with a deep-conditioning sheet mask or sleep mask to plump and moisturise skin. Pro tip: Drinking water regularly will do wonders for your skin.
Perfect party makeup
It’s all about the base
Prep your face with a hydrating and brightening serum – always apply on skin in an upwards, sweeping motion to keep skin taut. Keep makeup in place all day long with a glow-enhancing makeup primer, and follow up with a lightweight but full-coverage foundation to keep skin looking flawless.
Brighten undereyes by applying concealer in an upside down pyramid shape and conceal scars or pimples before blending with a damp sponge. Take cues from a famed drag queen tradition for a poreless visage: bake your face by applying translucent powder with a damp sponge over where you applied your concealer, wait for five to 10 minutes for it to set, then dust off.
Eyes
The ‘red’ smoky eye
Dark smoky eyes will never go out of style, but switch up your usual night out look with the hottest fall shade: red. Yes red eyes sound scary, but hear us out – when diffused with similar shades in a smoked out style, it’s wearable. To keep it from being OTT, work with a neutral shade as your base, a warm cranberry shade in your crease, and a deeper red on the edges. Always blend gently.
Shop: Urban Decay Naked Heat palette ($83), Colourpop Yes Please! pressed power palette (USD16)
All that glitters
A classic smoky eye and a razor sharp cat eye always does the trick, but if the glitter trend’s been on your radar – a slick of glitter liner on your undereye or a coat of high-impact glitter liquid eyeshadow is enough to stop ’em in their tracks.
Shop: NYX Face and Body glitter ($10), Tarte Metallic Treats glitter liner set ($42)
Sunset eyes
Spring colours in the fall? Why the heck not? It’s the same season all year round here in Singapore anyway. Sweep burnt orange over your lids, or pack a show-stopping gold cream eyeshadow on before blending a warm, matte terracotta shade onto your crease.
Shop: Natasha Denona Sunset eyeshadow palette ($190), Morphe 15D Day Slayer eyeshadow palette (£15)
Graphic liner
Think Twiggy, but bolder. Using a gel eyeliner for longer staying power, line your eyes with black or a navy blue shade the way you would to create a cat-eye, but extend the line into the inner corners of your eyes. Repeat the same with a lighter and louder shade, this time just above your extended cat-eye.
Shop: 3INA The Gel eyeliner ($23), Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel eye crayon eyeliner ($25)
Simple and dewy
For an overall glow, match your luminous skin with glossy eyes. All you need is a bit of gloss on the lids and mascara to frame your eyes.
Shop: MAC Studio eye gloss
Sculpt and shade
Bring your cheekbones out to play. The easiest way? Create a slimming effect with contouring powder, applied in the hollows of your cheekbones as well as along your hairline and jawline. Then, accentuate the highest points of your face with a shimmering highlighter blended at the top of your cheekbones, along your nosebridge, and under your brows. Finish with a sweep of rosy blush for a healthy flush.
Shop: Shade + Light Crème Contour ($73)
Highlight
Whether you like your highlight blinding or subtle, you need one to illuminate your skintone. Look the part of a golden goddess with a gold highlight swept across the highest points of your face, or give your cheekbones ultra-reflective shine with a near-holographic sheen.
Shop: Becca Cosmetics Skin Shimmering Skin Perfector ($58), Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops ($63)
Lips
Gloss
Can’t have party lips without a little bit of gloss. Not only is it insanely moisturising, it’ll also instantly plump lips and give your puckers an explosive shine with light-reflecting gold flecks. Love a bit of sheen without the in-your-face sparkle? Try an oil balm instead.
Shop: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Luminizer ($31), Lancome Juicy Shaker Lip oil ($38)
Dark berry lips
Red lips or deep crimson? Go the extra with a really dark berry lip. Keep the rest of your face minimal, with groomed brows and little eye makeup.
Shop: Kat Von D Everlasting liquid lipstick in Exorcism ($31), Zoeva Pure Velours in The Outsiders ($21)