You asked: “What are your top party make-up tips?”
Before you pick up a product, get thee to the nearest window. “Always do your make-up in the most natural light you can – it helps with speed,” says make-up artist Rae Morris. Here are her top three ways to get party ready in a hurry:
EYES: “If you want killer eyeshadow that lasts all night, remove oil from eyelids before application,” says Morris. Cream shadows are crease-proof and won’t end up under the eyes – perfect for a long-wearing smoky eye. Finish with loads of mascara along the upper lashes. Try Metal X Cream Shadow in Cyber, Venetian Tarnish and Vintage Coin, $46 each, by
M.A.C.
CHEEKS: “I like to use a light pink lip gloss on the cheeks,” says Morris. “It gives a sheen that suits most women and generally will last the whole night.”
LIPS: “Swipe on a lip balm or sheer lip stain and you’re good to go.”
TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Some make-up brushes can take up to 10 strokes to get the right application of product on the skin, so Morris created
a range of tools with rounded edges that “are so soft they hardly move the skin, so you need only a few strokes”.
Or, if you have more time you can’t go past the golden oldies: smoky eyes, a bold lip or glowing skin.
Glowing skin:
Smooth, glowing, J.Lo-worthy skin is the finishing touch for any party outfit. “Exfoliate vigorously while showering to get rid of dead skin cells and giveskin a natural glow,” says make-up artist Liz Kelsh. If time permits, apply a highlighter or body oil on the décolletage, shoulders, down the arms, on shins and the tops of feet. If the event is on during daylight hours, mist on a spray sunscreen, which will “protect your skin and give it a youthful sheen,” says Kelsh.
Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, $39.95, by
The Body Shop, is lightweight, moisturising and dries streak-free (and smells delicious).
Smoky eye:
Three products, three minutes. This is all you need to get a fab smoky eye.
STEP ONE: Black mascara. “Apply mascara first. It will map out the eye and set the stage for everything else in your beauty regime,” advises make-up artist Naploean Perdis.
STEP TWO: Black eye pencil. “Create a perfect base by applying this over the entire eyelid area for an intense smoky eye,” says Perdis. “Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, blend the pencil slightly beyond the crease of the eye but no higher.” Larger Than Life Longer-Wear Eyeliner in Via Veneto, $45, by
Nars.
STEP THREE: Matte brown eyeshadow. “Press onto the eyelid with a brush to soften and smoke up the look,” says Perdis. “Define the eyes by adding pencil to the top and lower lash lines, then, using a smaller brush, softly smudge the line for a sultry effect and finish with a few more coats of mascara.”
Red lip:
“For a red pout in a hurry, apply lipstick directly to your bottom lip, then carefully and firmly press lips together – remember: press not rub,” says Kelsh, Max Factor’s national make-up artist.
“Enhance the Cupid’s bow with a little lip liner and you’re done.” Try Color Elixir Lipstick in Scarlet Ghost, $20.95, by
Max Factor.
Sherine Youssef is madison’s beauty editor.
Related content:
madison water cooler: our beauty must-haves
Beauty: ask the editor - summer make-up
Beauty: get the look - Rooney Mara