Compiled by DEIRDRE McQUILLANand PHYL CLARKE

Face fixes

It’s a long day tomorrow, so here are a few tips to keep your make-up fresh (and on) all day.

Use a light moisturiser as anything too heavy will accelerate slide when that oven door opens.

You might have to pop out for a primer – many pharmacies stock Clarins and it’s worth the trip as their Beauty Flash Balm is a dream. Not only does it lift, tighten and brighten the complexion, it’ll keep your foundation in place all day. If it was a man, I’d marry it.

Applying foundation with a brush will make it last longer.

Powder is essential. A pressed translucent one such as Max Factor Creme Puff applied around the nose and chin area will set your make-up.

Don’t bother with elaborate eye make-up. A clean neutral shade on eyelids with a slick of liquid liner will see you though in classic style, and you can always add more eye colour in the evening.

A powder blush will last longer.

Choose from two options for lips. GO NUDE: fill in lips with a natural-coloured lip pencil, followed by a clear or peachy pink gloss – or Vaseline if you’re stuck. GO GLAM: What’s more Christmassy than red lipstick? You can’t go wrong with Kate Moss for Rimmel in shade 01; it’s a fabulously rich, suits-all classic. For best results, pat a tiny amount of foundation over lips as a base, then apply colour with a lip brush (an eyeliner brush can substitute if you haven’t got a proper lip brush). It’s less daunting to apply colour by starting in the centre of the lips and working out. Blot by pressing lips together on a tissue then re-apply.

Keep on standby: mirror, concealer, powder and lipstick in a convenient corner where you can discreetly do running repairs during the day. Happy Christmas.

I can't live without...

Alan Hughes Panto star

I have to give the biggest shout-out to beauty therapist Lisa Wallace of Lisa Wallace Absolute Beauty, who gives me my weekly facials. She has this signature facial and it’s wonderful. I believe it’s why I look as well as I do. In panto I play Sammy Sausages, who’s a real big kid, so I can’t look like an aul fella on stage. No pressure then. Lisa’s gorgeous new salon is at 32 South William Street. She gives great beauty tips on her Facebook page too so add her right now.

I discovered this brilliant under-eye serum that actually works. It’s from Poland and widely available here. It’s by Ziaja (pronounced ji-a; ziaja.ie) and it’s also inexpensive. There’s a whole range and its mostly under a tenner. All those stunning eastern European women must have been using it for years.

I love a bubble bath. It’s such a relaxing thing to do. I have a TV built into the wall in the bathroom so I feel like Joan Collins in the bubbles, while watching Corrie.

If I feel like splashing out, I’ll go for Clarins creams. They always feel a bit special. But the price tag can be a little off-putting.

I do like to have a tan. And I don’t mind if it’s real or fake. I wouldn’t do sunbeds but I like L’Oreal facial spray mist and any sun holiday.

Alan Hughes plays Sammy Sausages in The Sleeping Beauty at the Tivoli Theatre until January 15th

Brighten up your LBD Seasonal smoulder Keep your hair on Alan Hughes Panto star Donegal blazer Bargain Christmas jumper

Bargain Christmas jumper

If you’ve left it too late to get on the Christmas novelty jumper bandwagon, this one from Heatons (stores nationwide) may still be available and affordable at only €20. There are Santas and snowmen and Christmas tree imagery on some of them, but there’s a lighter Nordic look to this one – with its reindeer and snowflake motifs. The shawl collar makes it a cosier alternative to more corny versions. Funky Christmas Jumpers, which recently opened at 28 South William St, Dublin also has Christmas tree sweaters that light up (€49.99).

Brighten up your LBD

A small but elegant lace cuff, in either black or white, from Bow in the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin could give that extra stylish touch to a black sleeve on Christmas day. The same shop also has black lace hairbands and lace collars, including a white knife-pleated collar originally made for a lawyer but looking for all the world like it walked out of a Chanel advertisement, another brightener for a LBD, €40.

Donegal blazer

Molloys in Donegal is better-known for knitwear, but the family behind the firm come from five generations of weavers, and a new generation is rediscovering its heritage. A few years ago Kieran Molloy and his father Shaun unearthed the old looms in Ardara and started a small weaving business called Molloy Sons. They make traditional Donegal tweed and their latest venture is a collaboration with Garrett Pitcher of Indigo and Cloth, the hip boutique on South William Street. Pitcher designed a contemporary three-button blazer (€300) in flecked green tweed with patch pockets, a double vent. The boutique at 27 South William Street is open today until 5pm.

Keep your hair on

Roots showing?

If your roots are showing there are a few quick fixes that can save the day.

Re-growth will be most visible around the hairline – a toning mascara or even a waxy eyebrow pencil will blur the line and soften the grey. Alternately, an eyeshadow (no sparkle please) matched to your hair colour and applied with a brush gives believable results.

Colour fade?

If your hair is looking a bit sad and needs an all-over colour boost, your local chemist is sure to stock Fanci-full – a delightfully old-fashioned water rinse that comes in a variety of shades and freshens up colour. There’s no commitment as it simply washes out with your next shampoo.

Need a boost?

Dry shampoos are widely available and will give your hair a pep up and extend a blowdry. Batiste has been around forever and now comes in different tones so can help with colour, too – but beware of using too much as it has a mattifying effect and can make hair look dull.

Need a cut?

A good haircut can make you feel terrific, but don’t despair if you have to wait until next week – creative thinking and well-chosen accessories can work wonders. If your hair is long, you have the luxury of winding it into a sophisticated bun or ponytail (the most popular hairstyle on catwalks this season). Team with a wide red ribbon and red lips.

If you wear your hair short, try pinning it loosely at the back and side for an instant up-do. You can backcomb the top section for a bit more oomph, then lots of spray and you’re away.

You could get even more creative by sewing a large silk flower to a wide fabric hairband and wearing it at a jaunty angle. It covers a multitude, keeps your hair in place and you’ll be ahead of the 1920s trend which is set to be huge next year.

Seasonal smoulder

For those planning to party tonight and feeling a bit “noir”, here’s how the cool cats paint the town for the midnight hour – all glamour, mystery and smouldering eye make-up. Beth wears a black glitzy jacket by Iro (€598) from Seagreen, Monkstown, Co Dublin; a spike collar (sold with jumper) by Maje (€195) at BT2; gloves by Show Co, 8 George’s Street Arcade, Dublin; ring (€165) by Merle O’Grady from Rebecca Davis, Westbury Arcade, Dublin; leggings (€270) by Surface to Air at BT2; and shoes (€250) by Karen Millen. Hair and make-up by Brown Sugar. Photographed by Barry McCall and styled by Aisling Farinella.