The Beauty Experts Share Their Top Party Make-Up Tips

Tahira Herold, Conscious Make-Up Artist

TIP #1: Start With Skincare

“No party make-up will last without good skincare beforehand. Exfoliate gently but regularly in the run-up to any special occasion. I recommend using an enzymatic toner like Biossance’s BHA Toner which whisks away dead skin cells and smooths your complexion so that make-up glides on seamlessly. Follow up with a good moisturiser. Apply your serums and moisturisers – or just one or the other – to damp skin so that it properly absorbs. Really work the formula into your skin with your knuckles and fingers. This will amp up your circulation and boost your natural glow. It will also mean everything is fully absorbed, so when you come to apply foundation, it won’t start rolling around.”

Ruby Hammer MBE, Make-Up Artist & British Beauty Council Ambassador 

Tip #2: Maintain Bright Eyes 

“One thing I always do is use eye drops. My favourites are Bausch + Lomb’s Lumify Eye Drops which are hard to get, but I swear by them. They keep your eyes looking bright all night long and work with any make-up you choose, never causing smudges.”

Tip #3: Boost Your Radiance 

“Shimmer doesn’t need to be OTT for a nice party look. Use a product like my new Cheek Colour Sticks in Nude – a soft, shimmery peach – to add glow on your brow bone, the top points of your cheeks and to your Cupid’s bow. Apply a little to the bridge of your nose, too, and along your collar bone – basically, anywhere the light bounces off.”

Zoë Taylor, Make-Up Artist & SL Beauty Contributor

Tip #4: Focus On Eyes First

“This is a simple tip, but I recommend applying your eye make-up before your base in case anything spills under your eyes during application. That way you can clean things up with foundation or concealer, keeping the under eye area as luminous as possible. This will also help to brighten and open up your eyes.”

Tip #5: Use Bronzer Wisely 

“Take a big fluffy brush and buff bronzer onto your neck and jawline and around the outer edges of your face. This will warm your skin tone up nicely while creating more natural and better definition and shape. Powders are best for a softer finish as they don’t settle into fine lines.”

Tip #6: Never Scrimp On Primer

“Primer isn’t always essential, but it is before a big night out. I recommend one like Clé de Peau’s Lasting Veil Primer. Unlike others, it helps hydrate skin, smooth the surface and refine your pores so that foundation glides on easily and stays put. Just make sure you let it absorb fully before going in with foundation. You’ll find everything lasts longer and you get a nice, soft glow too.”

Mary Greenwell, A-List Make-Up Artist 

Tip #7: Opt For Soft Eyeshadows 

“The heavier you go with eye make-up, the more tired you’ll look, so it’s about placement and looking to tones that brighten and widen the eye area. Sharp, felt tip-like lines are ageing, so I’m a big fan of soft eye kohls that you can smudge into the lash line – just keep it on top, rather than on your bottom eye line. As for coloured palettes, Tom Ford does some of the best with multiple colours, allowing you to dip into two or three hues at once.  I recommend starting with lighter tones underneath your brow bone, then sweeping slightly darker shades across the lids, using your fingers to smudge and thin out any density of pigment. In terms of colour, rich neutrals, browns, aubergines and navy colours are a great alternative to black, which can be quite ageing on the lids. Seek out powdery textures for the eyes – these add softness and you can be safe in the knowledge it’ll stay put, too.”

Bobbi Brown, Make-Up Artist & Founder Of Jones Road Beauty 

Tip #8: Don’t Dismiss A Red Lip

“We’re often afraid of a red lip, but switching up the textures you use can make it so much more wearable. Look to glosses or lipsticks with a slight sheen instead of a deep matte colour. My Jones Road Cool Gloss in Great Red adds a hit of colour with a sheen that never looks daunting or theatrical. It suits everyone and is really flattering. I recommend using it alongside a waterproof lip liner. Use this first to fill the whole lip before layering over a gloss. That way, if it wears off, you have colour underneath at the end of the night.”

Joy Adenuga, Make-Up Artist 

Tip #9: Try A Shimmery Body Oil

“We spend a lot of time worrying about our make-up, but our bodies are also often on show during the party season, and you don’t always have to reach for self-tan. If you want to enhance your limbs subtly, try Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil in Rose Gold. As a make-up artist, I’ve used endless products like this but I cannot get enough of this one. It’s an investment, but it will last you forever. The shade suits all skin tones, while the silky formula moisturises your skin as you apply it. It just gives your body a soft glow that looks really natural. My clients now swear by it and I use it on everyone before big events. A little dusted onto cheekbones looks pretty, too.”

Tania Grier, Celebrity & Fashion Make-Up Artist 

Tip #10: Curl Your Lashes 

“If you struggle with eyeliners and eyeshadows and often skip eye make-up because of this, focus on just your lashes. The new StylPro Hot Lash Heated Eyelash Curler does the work for you. Just place your lashes inside, pull down and wait a few seconds for instant curl. Follow this with a volume mascara such as Chanel Le Volume Intense Black Ultra Noir for jet black volume and lift. Your lashes will look so pretty that you won’t need anything else on the eyes. On days off, just use the curler on its own for a natural lift.”

Tip #11: Try A Mini Cat Eye

“If you have hooded eyes, my favourite party make-up tip is to do a ‘mini’ cat eye. This will elongate the eyes and add glamour but without much effort. Instead of doing your line from the inner to the outer corner, start just before your natural lashes end. Draw a thin line just above your lash line and with a sharp cotton bud – MYKITCO’s Small On Point Buds are best – tidy things up to neaten the flick. This works especially well if the bud is dampened with micellar water. Unless you have a steady hand, I would avoid a liquid liner for this. Try a thin eyeliner like SUQQU Gel Eyeliner (shade 2 is even more forgiving than black until you nail the technique) which comes with a handy smudge brush on one end. And, if you want a more intense look, use a gel liner with an angled brush which gives more control and a sharper line. I love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Waterproof Crème Colour in Jet.”

Gucci Westman, Make-Up Artist & Founder Of Westman Atelier 

Tip #12: Utilise Your Mascara 

“A lot of us forget that mascara should be applied directly at the root of your lashes. It doesn’t matter if some pigment comes off on the inner rim – if anything, this can be a good thing as it adds extra enhancement, almost like tight lining. Once you’ve got the brush in place, use the wiggle technique, sweeping your wand through your lashes side to side right through to the ends. Repeat at least twice to ensure your lashes are appearing thick and full. Try this with my Eye Want You Mascara. It has an elongated brush that allows you to create an accentuated effect. Don’t forget the outer corners of your eyes either. Once you’ve applied a few coats to the bulk of your lashes, turn the mascara wand vertically. Use the tip to flick out the outer lashes and to reach the shorter, inner lashes.”

Adeola Gboyega, Make-Up Artist & SL Beauty Contributor 

Tip #13: Test Out This Palette 

“Others have mentioned the importance of highlighter but, for me, few products rival the Hourglass Edit Unlocked Palette. It works on both your eyes and face, and is a real secret weapon for creating an ethereal, party-ready glow. Apply it with a fluffy brush strategically to the highest points of your face. It has a blush, bronzer and highlighter so you get everything in one go. The shades benefit from a photo luminescent technology, which is what creates that flawless radiance. As each one is a powder, you’ll find it lasts all night long too.”

Monika Blunder, Celebrity Make-Up Artist & Founder Of Monika Blunder Beauty

Tip #14: Choose Chunky Glitter

“If you want to wear glitter but you’re worried about it ageing you, I recommend opting for chunky silver glitter over fine shimmer – particularly on your eyes. This may sound daunting, but many brands do flattering pigments now, including MAC. Glitter chunks will add a festive glow but will also minimise the emphasis on fine lines. It’s a pretty way to embrace the holiday spirit and add sparkle. It doesn’t have to be loads, just a smattering on top of a cream shadow will catch the light nicely – silver tones add a brightening effect, too.”

Hollie Olivia Ellis, Beauty Creator & Make-Up Artist

Tip #15: Mute Out Your Lipstick

“Before you apply any lipstick, I recommend moisturising lips beforehand. This is often neglected but is key to ensuring no dryness or chapped areas of skin form throughout the evening. Secondly, for those wanting more vivid colour that isn’t ageing, I recommend nailing your application technique. The trick is to take your fingertip and press down onto your lipstick bullet of choice. Take your finger and press the colour onto your lips in light dabbing motions. This way, you can control how much product you have on your lips – it’s ideal for those wanting to try bolder tones. Doing it this way also allows for a feathery, softly diffused effect that’s more romantic. I recommend Bobbi Brown’s Luxe Matte Lipstick in Traffic Stopper – it’s a pillar-box red that suits all skin tones. Ideal for the festive season.”