Ask the expert
Make-up artist Suzie O’neill is back with her top Christmas make-up looks and how to create them at home.
Iam such a big fan of Christmas, so it is lovely to give you some inspiration for Christmas glam! From party nights out to simple daytime chic, I have you covered! “Let’s start with a fresh, simple look for Christmas Day or a lunch out over the holidays. You will want to start by prepping your skin with moisturiser to hydrate and create a smooth base. I love Neostrata Enlighten SPF30. Apply a lightweight foundation like Ayu Fresh Skin and blend it well for a natural
nish. Next, we want to conceal any dark circles with Ayu Instant Under Eye Concealer – this is a must have at this time of year. Apply a neutral eye-shadow shade all over the lid for a subtle wash of colour, and de ne your brows with pencil to give shape to your face. De ning your brows can completely transform how fresh you look, so it is a step that I wouldn’t skip!
“Finish with a good coat of mascara to brighten the eyes and you are ready to go. Remember, the key to a simple Christmas Day make-up is to keep it natural and fresh. If you want to take it up a notch or two for a festive night out, follow the same base rules as above but with the addition of a few more steps.
“For the eyes, start by applying a shimmery gold or silver eye-shadow all over the lid: I am obsessed with Ayu Mesmereyes liquid shadows for this. “Add a darker shade in the crease to add depth and blend it well. e key to a professional nish on your make-up is blending; you can never over blend. Apply eyeliner using a black liquid or gel liner for a dramatic e ect. You can also add some glitter eyeliner on top for extra sparkle.
“Curl your lashes with the Shiseido lash curler (this one is de nitely worth the investment) and apply a few coats of volumising mascara to make them look fuller and longer. You can also add false lashes for a more dramatic look: I love the individual lashes from Ardell, as I nd them to be lightweight and easy to apply.
“Add a touch of highlighter on the high points of your face and a pop of colour to the cheeks to give your skin a radiant glow.
“Finish o the look with a bold red lip. It is the perfect time to wear it if you have always wanted to, but never had the con dence! Most of all, enjoy the process of getting glam: you want to go out and feel your absolute best, so it is worth giving yourself some time to do it!”
It smells like firewood, cabins, and chestnuts roasting ....
Scents are a powerful way to elicit a certain emotion. We assign scents to memories, to people, to feelings, and even seasons, which is why so many like to rotate different perfumes throughout the year. And like pairing a glass of wine with a certain meal, it’s nice to have your winter perfume pair well with the smell of browning leaves and the fire burning in the living room. Here’s our top picks for the season – maybe even add them to your Santa list.