Unlike celebrities, most of us don't have an army of stylists, hairdressers and make-up artists to get us party perfect. Nor do we necessarily have the time to primp and preen for hours – party glamourising is more likely to be done in the office loo or whilst the babysitter is getting settled. That's why we've collected the best get-you-gorgeous party tips that make every second count.
Your make-up
Red lipstick says instant glamour and is a classic colour. To make sure the shade suits you, consider your skin tone. If you are pale, stick to blue-toned reds, such as Nars Fire Down Below, £17. If your skin has yellow or golden undertones, warmer orangey or browny reds, such as Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur in Opium Red, £16, will flatter. Dior Rouge Dior in Rouge Icone, £16.50, is a deep red that looks great on black skin.
A base primer, applied before foundation, will keep it looking fresh and lasting longer. Chanel, MAC and Shu Uemura have good ones.
Smoky eyes are a great evening look and make your eyes appear bigger. If you want to do this quickly, simply line all around your top and bottom lashes with a soft eyeliner and then smudge the line slightly. Try grey, brown or deep purple as an alternative to black, which can look hard.
To look wide awake when you're feeling tired, try using a lightly shimmering neutral-coloured eyeshadow on the eyelids. Then curl your lashes and apply mascara to your upper lashes only.
Plump your lips with a lip-enhancing product. Good buys include Too Faced Lip Injection, £10, which tingles at first and promises 20% fuller lips for up to four hours and Benefit's Lip Pump, £14.50.
You can give yourself an instant facelift and emphasise cheekbones by using a matt bronzer under the cheekbones from the part nearest the hairline before applying your usual blusher. Try standing side on to the mirror and pulling your hairline back just above your ear to get the placement right. By sweeping a light dusting of matt bronzer under your chin and along your jawbone you can slim a double chin too.
Use a little extra moisturiser before applying your foundation as dryness only serves to emphasise lines and creases and moisturiser will help to plump them out.
For a dewy radiant glow, mix your foundation with Olay's Complete Care Multi-Radiance, £7.49, which contains light-reflecting particles. Highlighting powders and creams will also add a lit-from-within glow to your skin, catching the light and softening hard angles.
On the body (and feet if you're wearing open, strappy shoes) a shimmering lotion, cream or gel will give you instantly glowing skin. Try The Sanctuary Spa Mande Lular Shimmering Body Souffle, £9.95, from Boots or Champneys Oriental Body Glistening Oil, £7.50. A sparkling powder, such as Benefit's Kitten Classic Pink Champagne Powder in a Puff, £19.50, highlights the décolleté and collarbones beautifully.
A sparkling powder highlights the décolleté and collarbones beautifully
Your body
If you have a little time to spare, try the one-hour Ionithermie Arm and Tummy Trim. It uses a thermal clay and micronised algae mask to boost the metabolism and fight fat, plus muscle-toning electrical currents (which feel strange as they make your muscles contract). You'll see results in one session, so book in the day before your party, but for longer-lasting results a course of five within two weeks is recommended. From £50 a session. To find your nearest salon, call 01753 833900.
The Universal Contour Wrap shows instant results too, with guaranteed inch loss. During this you're wrapped in sea-clay soaked bandages which flush toxins and firm the skin, boost lymphatic drainage and reduce bloating. Treatments take an hour and cost from £50. (For salon stockists, 01784 259988.)
