Shine on for the party season, writes Phyl Clarke
It's December, so no holding back now girls, the glitter season is upon us. There are office parties, Christmas balls, charity dinners - and it's all a lovely excuse to dress up, and ignore the weather in unsuitably high heels.
If you're going to the trouble and expense of getting an "up do" for the big night, your make-up must go up a few notches too, to balance the look, or you're in danger of looking like you've run out the door forgetting to put your "face" on. Adding a bit of "sparkle" instantly adds a glamorous party glow. Starting with your base, Guerlainhave spared no expense for their new skin enhancer - L'Or Radiance Concentrate Make-up Base smooths away fine lines and tightens facial features. It contains 24-carat gold powder added to a gel base, which hydrates and smooths the skin. As you might imagine, the gold powder also gives the skin a subtle glow and also rejuvenates and moisturises. Wear alone or under make-up (€54).
Dress up your look with a sweep of Bobbi Brown'sShimmer Brick on your cheekbones. The "bricks" come in a variety of colourways to suit different skintones, with just enough shimmer without being OTT. These party faithfuls can also be worn to light up the eyes as a shadow highlight, or even on lips mixed with a little gloss to complete your look. A real all-rounder for €42.
If you just want an understated gleam to your eye, Laura MercierMetallic Crème Eye Colours (€22) float across the eye, leaving a gorgeous, shimmering sheen. Waterproof, lightweight and non-greasy, they are versatile enough that you can work different strengths of colour, either by layering underneath your favourite shade, or minimising the metallic effect by setting with a translucent powder.
An old favourite year-round is NuxeHuile Prodigeuse (€30), a satiny smooth multi-purpose dry oil suitable for all skin and hair types. Applied after a bath or shower to face, body and hair, it is instantly absorbed and leaves skin with a subtly-scented sheen and lustrous gloss to the hair.
If you feel a touch of gold coming on in the lash area, Guerlainshines again with a limited-edition product called Golden Lash Top Coat Mascara. Flirt your way through every holiday gathering with lashes that look dipped in gold. The thin brush deposits flecks of gold on lashes. Either apply to tips of lashes after black mascara for a subtle touch, or apply several coats to bare lashes for an ethereal effect (€28).
Givenchyhave been doing their bit for the sparkle season with Lash Sparkles Lash Diamonds, a diamond-infused pen that deposits non-irritating flecks of silvery-white glitter to the lashes. This twist-pen brush (applied after mascara) also adds a glossiness that lasts all day (€24.50).
For lips, Estée Lauderworks two trends in one with their Gold Ruby lipcolour (22). Très chic, a gorgeous rich red flecked with gold. I'll be wearing it on Christmas Day.