FLAUNTING a soft healthy glow is key to looking your loveliest on Christmas Day, according to Perth make-up artist Kristen Ashton.
“You can’t beat dewy, flawless skin for a stunning festive look,” she said.
“There are so many amazing and affordable products on the market now and if you can get some in your Christmas stocking that’s a bonus.
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READ NOW“Make-up can be a great way to be a little creative at Christmas, so take a risk if you feel the urge and remember to always have fun with your application and wear it with confidence.”
Ms Ashton’s steps for a fresh and gorgeous Christmas look are:
1. Prep Christmas Eve
Applying a mask while wrapping presents is perfect multi-tasking. My clients love the GlamGlow Bubblesheet ($13): it’s a great mask for a deep cleanse and skin detox. And don’t forget the lips – The French Girl Rose Lip Polish ($22) is an organic sugar scrub that smooths your pout.
2. Prime
On Christmas morning, prime your skin with The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer ($13.90). It is lightweight and helps with blending foundation – your makeup will last longer and won’t settle into fine lines.
3. Highlight
My favourite is Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector – the shade Opal suits most skin tones (from $25). Apply a little to the top of the cheekbones and a touch on the forehead, bridge of nose and cupid’s bow (before foundation). This gives a soft highlight without being too shiny.
4. Foundation
Keep it light and well blended for a flawless look. The Ordinary Serum Foundation ($12.90) is light and dewy or opt for the full coverage alternative ($12.90) for a more long-lasting finish. Nars Sheer Glow ($69) is another great option.
5. Glow
For a beautiful summer glow, I use the Hourglass Sunset palette: it has three cream products – contour, peach blush and neutral highlight. Build up the coverage to go from day to night – the creams melt into the skin so it’s easy to add more product before the night out.
6. Eyes
Apply a soft neutral gold or copper eye shadow and load up lashes with mascara (not clumpy) and add a few individual fake lashes to the edges for extra volume and length. Try a teal eyeliner at night for something different, or softly smudge black eyeliner for a smoky eye.
7. Lips
Nars Orgasm Lip Balm ($41) and Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($30) are two beautiful neutral shades that won’t leave lips sticky. For a traditional red lip, try Nars Dragon Girl – it suits most skin tones and lasts throughout the night.
8. Setting spray
Apply GlamGlow Glowsetter (from $23) for a dewy look or Urban Decay ‘De-Slick’ ($49) for a matte appearance.
9. Fragrance
Spray Byredo Gypsy Water EDP ($184), or Holy_Wood EDP by Nomenclature ($183) and you’re good to go.