December 2014: Must-have beauty product guide

The festive season is upon us once more. (Yes it really has come that quick) and no sooner are we seeing decorations upon the tree do we realise that we have 101 parties to go to. Christmas party season has a habit of creeping up on us doesn’t it? However Christmas party make-up can fall in to either two categories, gorgeous and glam or horrifically OTT and of course you don’t want to be remembered for the latter. So here is a little look at our best picks for this year’s festive season, so that people will remember you for all the right reasons, not because you look like you dived headfirst into a bath of glitter.

Liz Earle Christmas set (£55)
Okay we want this all year round but come Christmas it seems there are 100 parties to go to and it’s only natural we want to look our best for the hundreds of photos you know will be uploaded to Instagram the next day. Therefore, we want skin that’s glowing not shiny. Great skin is a must but it’s hard with the cold weather outside and then the heating inside, plus, a little extra over indulgence with chocolates and wine might not exactly help the state of our skin, so it’s important to adapt with the changing seasons. Good quality skincare always helps, because you need your base to be just as gorgeous as the make-up you want to put on top of it. To get naturally glowing skin we would recommend Liz Earle, an all-natural skincare line which is famous for it’s cleanse and polish.  Not only are her products so hydrating and gentle on the skin but they usually do a Christmas promotion every year, so look out for that.

Georgio Armani luminous silk foundation (£31.95)
Yes good skincare is vital but you’re only human, there’s no harm in reaching for some extra products to help you achieve that flawless finish. There are a few great foundations out at the moment but one of our personal favourites is the Georgio Armani luminous silk foundation. A little goes a long way as this product works best when layered. Aka if you only need a little foundation then great, but if you need a little extra coverage it’s easily buildable. This product Is great at achieving that glowy gorgeous look.

Duwop glow 7 highlighter (£9.50)
Alternatively if you have already have clear skin and prefer a more natural look why not keep the skin bare and add a little of Duwop’s glow 7 highlighter. A little goes a long way so you’ll be using this product for a long time after. Along the tops of the cheek bones, brow bones and inner tear ducts are great for adding that subtle glow to your skin. This is great for those who like investing in quality make-up.

Mac Paint Pots (£15.50)
Again when it comes to quality Mac is renowned for their products and the mac paint pots are always a staple for any time of year but especially the festive period when we really want our eyes to stand out. They are gorgeous and shimmery and come in a large variety of colours. There is a stunning rose gold colour called Rubenesque which looks amazing on most skin tones, for that reason alone we would recommended this product. Plus it catches the light beautifully and has great colour pay off.

Urban Decay Naked Palettes (£37)
For a day look we would keep this very simple with just a hint of black liquid liner, however for Christmas parties you could easily take a dark brown shadow and work it through the crease for a more intense, smoky look. Failing that you can always rely on the Urban Decay Naked Palettes to help achieve stunning, sultry eyes to stand out during the party season.

Mac Lipstick (£15.50)
The one thing that people are drawn to under that mistletoe – lips! This time of year you can really get away with experimenting with colours, so tis the season! Why not? However you need to make sure that your lips are in good condition before adorning them with lipstick/lip liners. That being said don’t clash your colours. Experiment first to see if the colour suits your skin tone (whether you are warm toned or cool) and also examine the lipstick against the colour of your teeth. It sounds like too much detail but honestly it makes a world of difference. Whether you want to stick to a classic bold lip like Mac’s Rubywoo or Russian Red.

#Lipglam Lip Balm (£9.99)
During the winter our lips get super dry to invest in a good lip balm whether it be #Lipglam or just good old fashioned chap stick, make sure your lips are taken good care of before any big events. #Lipglam is a lanolin lip balm that lets your natural radiance shine through. This fast-acting lip balm delivers instant dryness relief and 8-hour moisture, while restoring your skin’s natural defences.We would also recommend using an old toothbrush with a little lip balm in order to remove any dead skin and this is something that also makes your lips look plumper. So once your lips are in tip top condition then you can chose a great statement lip colour.

Inglot 134 Lipstick (£8)
Your could also try a more darker oxblood vampy lip like Inglot’s 134 our advice would be keep it clean. Aka use a liner first, to line and also as a base to ensure longevity. Either way just make sure you are comfortable and confident and your beauty will shine through. And we guarantee no matter how bad the photos are the next day, at least your make-up will be flawless!

Sophie Dyer