Welcome to the trickiest month on the beauty calendar. When you want to look your very, most gorgeous best. But when a whirlwind of partying and the stress of wrapping up your year-long to-do list takes its stressful toll on your looks. Some easy beauty tricks to get you through December in style …
Skincare 101
You’ve got the basics sorted: cleansing, exfoliating, sunscreen … But add a couple more skincare moves to the mix and you’ll get some great complexion pay-off. First up, a boost of antioxidants to fight off all of those beauty-hating aggressors (late nights, stress, passive smoking, etc). A vitamin C serum, in particular, will help to fend off wrinkle-inducing ravages. As well as give great glow. Try: Chanel Précision Age Delay Serum, $110 (from department stores). Plus, you’ll also need a morning-after fix-it. Think of it as a Berocca for your face. Try: Palmer’s Skin Success Eventone Brightening facial Mask, $14.95, (from pharmacies).
The Great Face Fake-it
Mix one part regular foundation with one part shimmer lotion and you get: who-would-know-you’ve-been-out-all-night skin. One of the most perfect foils out there: Revlon Bare it All Lustrous Lotion, $34.95 (from pharmacies).
Bright Eyes
You wake up bleary-eyed and less-than-bushy-tailed. The fix: Drip in some moisturising eye drops. Then, concealer-concealer-concealer - all around the eyes. Next, sweep lids with a golden shimmer shadow (the best is Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten, $34, (Mecca Cosmetica). Also, etch inner rims with a nude or white pencil. And finally, curl and colour lashes to wide-eyed wonder.
The Instant Look-Great Trick
A red lip can instantly brighten an otherwise pale and pasty face. Go for an orange-infused shade - it not only adds warmth and vibrancy to tired, partied-out complexions, but also suits all skintones. Either stain it on for a pretty day effect, or layer up lusciously for evening. Try: Nars Lipstick in Heatwave (Mecca Cosmetica).
Sexy in Seconds
For the quickest and easiest day-to-night makeup move, simply smudge a dark-shaded (slate, jade, navy) eye crayon over the lids. Soften with fingertip to a seductive, smoky effect.
A Good Hair Month
You’re out late, up late. Upshot is: less time to wash and style hair. No problem. This is why we have dry shampoos. As well as soaking up excess oils on the scalp, they give hair sexy texture and volume. The hair stylists’ favourite is Klorane Dry Shampoo, $12.95 (from pharmacies).Failing that, slick your hair back into a sleek and sexy ponytail.
