Make-up essentials for the party season

This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.

Trends may come and go but style is always in fashion. When you know what colours suit you stick with them. Look contemporary by playing with textures.

We all have staples that we like to keep in our make-up collection. Here are some suggestions for the party season.

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, £26.50

Concealer, after a few hours, can settle into fine lines. Caked make-up is not a good look. Illuminating concealers, especially on mature skins, can draw attention to the area. My favourite product is Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. Magically, this colourless potion seems to make fine lines almost disappear. As it is a primer you can put foundation over it but I tend to wear it on its own as I do not have to worry about it flaking half way through the night.

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Saddle, £19.50
This dark grey brown is ideal for creating smoky eyes or adding definition in the corners. It is a lovely silky texture and can be built up if you want a stronger colour. It wears well.

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Bone, £19.50
A great highlighter with a slightly yellow undertone which helps combat any redness in the skin. A good trick, if you have deep-set eyes, is to sweep it over the lids so it emphasises them giving you a polished yet natural look.

Clarins Gold Mascara Top Coat, £22

For a subtle shimmer wear this over your usual black mascara. This is pretty when it catches the light. The brush is great for separating and defining the lashes so no clogs.

Mac Creme De La Femme, £17.50
Pink laced with gold is how Mac describe this pretty shade. More a purple-pink, this is a good balance of warm and cool tones so should suit those who find it difficult to get the right shade of pink. Do not be put off because it is a frost. It actually gives a flattering sheen to the lips. If you tend to have dry lips, I suggest wearing lip balm underneath.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Red Berry Glam, £19
An easy way to wear red. This gloss not only nourishes the lips but as it is laced with gold shimmer the lips appear fuller.

Clarins Joli Rouge Brillant in Nude Brick, £22
A moisturising lipstick which gives just a hint of colour to add a soft, warm glow to your complexion. Just what you need on a cold day. If you prefer your nudes on the browner side, this is the one to go for. It also comes in a matte finish which is perfect for the evening.

L'Occitane Natural Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm, £8
An all-time favourite. Keep this in your bag for when your lips need a hydration boost. Can also be worn under lipstick. Contains shea butter.

Spring into a new look

This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.

Back in the day we would look to the catwalks for new trends and almost slavishly adopt them. Those days are long gone and today we are more interested in bespoke beauty.

While we may take inspiration from looks shown at Fashion Week, we tend to take an idea and put our own unique twist on it. Beauty, as they say, is in the eyes of the beholder. Whether you like to go for conventional or unconventional looks, it does not matter.

 MAC Cream Colour Base in Shell 

Natural make-up never goes out of fashion. According to Mac, for spring/summer 2018, it should be about looking healthy. In other words, nobody should see that you are wearing make-up.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in Powder Pink

Think translucent bases and touches of concealer that are well-blended into the skin. A hint of blusher warms up the complexion. To add a glow, try a cream blush such as MAC Cream Colour Base in Shell (£19) a barely-there nude. Pair with creamy shades of lipstick and eye shadow.

Says Alex Box for Mac Cosmetics: “The colour looks as if it is coming from within the skin, so you don’t perceive it as being achieved by products.”

If you don’t suit creamy shades and fancy something slightly pinker, check out Bobbi Brown. It has a good range of cream blushes that melt into the skin and can be used on the lips as well.

A good one is Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in Powder Pink (£22). It is a pretty subtle colour that will liven up your complexion.

You should opt for shades that work with your natural skin tone to get the best results.

By Daralyn Danns

                                                                                   

The best nude eye shadows

This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.

Nude eye shadows are great for brightening up your eyes, hiding any discolouration and adding definition without looking made-up. The trick is to find one that works with your skin tone.

Clinique Lid Pop in Vanilla Pop, £15.50
This is a soft light creamy powder with golden undertones and a satiny finish. Great when you want to enhance your lids with a touch of colour. Blends easily. 

MAC Brule Eye Shadow in Brule, £13.50

This is my go-to eye shadow when I need something to make me look wide awake. It is a creamy-beige with a soft sheen. Blends well and does not settle into creases as powders can do.

Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Grandest Gold, £18
Lovely for the days when you want a bit more oomph, this shade gives the lids a pretty wash of colour without too much shimmer. It has a creamy texture and is easy to apply. Stays put and does not fade.

 

By Daralyn Danns