A Christmas Day or New Years Makeup Look♥*

Christmas and New Year only happens once a year. We have to wait a whole year for them to happen and they're gone in a flash. Since they're such special occasions, I like to take the time to do my makeup nicely and enjoy doing it without the necessary rush. I like to trial makeup looks before the day because that way then, I have a half idea of what I'm aiming for. I've been playing around with my makeup and came up with a look which is ideal for the occasions.

 The key to flawless looking makeup is by having good skincare. Using the Nu Skin Moisture Restore Day* is a great way to start. It leaves your skin feeling hydrated and smooth. One pump is all that necessary. By using this, the rest of my face makeup applies like a dream.

Primer, good old primer. What did I ever do before I found primer, especially this one! Soap and Glory are famous for their makeup range and have hit it out with their One Heck Of A Blot Primer*. It claims to keep your skin matte, banish out any oil and make your pores appear smaller. Your pores don't look as noticeable with foundation on; your skin does look matte when this is first applied and it does banish oil for a couple of hours - it would last longer but I have severely oily skin so my makeup starts to slip and slide but this does help keep your makeup last longer.

 Moving onto eyes (we shall return to face makeup later - it's to prevent fallout on your beautifully perfected makeup!) Starting off with the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige as a base. It works as a primer but also the shadows will show up better as they have something to stick to. For eyeshadow, the Seventeen Easy on the Eye Palette in The Big Smoke* is perfect. It has 8 eyeshadows, 3 cream shadows and an eye primer, as well as a double ended brush (yes, brush, not an applicator or sponge!)

Top row left to right- Twilight Blue, Cocoa Brown, Smoky Marble, Wild Khaki, Cool Aluminium and Illuminated Bronze.
Bottom row left to right - Onyx Black, Slate Grey, Cloudy Lilac, Warm Ivory, Pink Flush and Eye Primer. 

Starting with Cloudy Lilac, I take it all over my lid for a wash of colour. Blended on top of that, I take Slate Grey. For my crease, I like to blend a little Onyx Black, followed by Twilight Blue then also Cocoa Brown and that's the eye look complete. It's basically a quick, simple smokey eye.

For a more dramatic finish to the eye look, I love to have winged liner! My go-to is Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner Pen. It's easy to use, quick and is proper black - so no watery or weak liner! The tip of it is very thin making it easy to control and use.  The W7 Absolute Lashes Mascara* has been ideal for this look. It adds volume to the lashes but gives a lot of length taking your lashes to a whole new level. The wand is long, thin and straight so catches every lash in sight.

An optional step if you feel your lashes aren't bold enough could be by using the Threads Charleston Lashes*. These are natural looking but not too over the top and would suit the eye look well.

 For an all over even finish, the Cover FX Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation* has to be the one. It has super high coverage yet isn't cakey AT all; it's a hero in disguise! It leaves my skin looking like my own yet evens out all the redness. For extra coverage, I've been loving the Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer*. If the name isn't convincing enough, what will be? There's two shades to choose from, depending what you're trying to counteract. To ensure all your face makeup stays in place, the good old Rimmel Stay Matte is a favourite. As you can see, I've hit major pan - I shall need to repurchase another one (again) soon.

Brows brows brows, and what you gonna do about them? You're going to use the Seventeen Brows That! Brow Kit* because it's simply magnificent. There's a brow wax, brow powder, highlighter powder, mini brush and mini pencil - it's compacted with everything you could possibly ever need for your brows. My brows are forever on fleek with this super kit.

 A popular, raved and famous product, is the Seventeen Define and Conquer Contour Kit*. I'm perhaps one of the most unskilled amateurs regarding contouring, however, this kit has changed that. The contour shade is just right shade to contour for us pale girls - it's not too orange nor muddy. I used to use the Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette in Native non-stop. For months, it was in the backseat but I've recently rediscovered my love for it. I'm obviously using my trusty theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer. I'm not going to babble on too long about it because I wrote a post on it here. It's gorgeous and perfect for highlighting my pale little face.

My first lipstick choice is Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in Saintly*. When this first came to me, worried thoughts came to mind about whether or not I'd suit it, but course I gave it a bash. Turns out it's a beautiful, effortless, pearly-pink nude lipstick. It looks elegant and classy. It goes hand in hand with this makeup look since the eye look is quite intense.

Since we are in Winter, I clearly chose my staple Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in Rule Breaker*. It's a stunning berry colour which is seriously opaque - talk about pigmentation! It's long lasting and has quite a matte finish to it but isn't drying.

To complete my makeup, I used my usual brushes - the Real Techniques Core Collection and Real Techniques Eye Starter Kit. Alongside, I use the Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush and the W7 Power Puff Face Blender.

And behold, the finished look; one with the berry lip and one with the nude lip! I never managed to get too many snaps due to lack of lighting, thanks Winter.

Have you got your Christmas or New Years makeup look sorted?

*PR Samples