It’s party time! Make sure you’re up to date with the latest beauty trends so you can help your customers sparkle and shine throughout the season.

MAKE IT UP

Get ready to sparkle this season as glitter is back in a big way. It can be worn bold or subtle and suits all ages and skin tones, but there is an art to wearing it well; think less 1970s disco diva, more sophisticated shimmer and sparkle, picking products that have small particles of glitter rather than big chunks.

Celebrity make-up artist Rosie Lewis says: “Glitter is back – not just in silver and gold, but in richly pigmented shades too. For maximum impact, advise customers to use a wet brush to apply glitter eyeshadow, or they can choose a gold liquid liner for a subtle flash of glitz.”

Another on-trend way to wear glitter and gold this winter is on the lips, with either a glittery gloss over lipstick or a gold-infused lipstick. Try L’Oréal’s new Color Riche Gold Obsession lipstick (RRP £6.99), available in five shades, with particles coated in 24-carat gold.

Another trend for the season is currant lips with minimal eye make-up. “Dark, glossy lips in currant shades give a grown-up, glamorous look. These are overshadowing the matte lip look this winter and are great for evenings out. Pair with illuminator cream on cheek and brow bones. Keep eyes simple with curled lashes, lots of mascara and liquid liner,” says celebrity make-up artist Emily-Jane Williams.

If your customer prefers the focus to be on their eyes rather than their lips, a smoky eye is a failsafe party look. “Smoky eyes are easy, on-trend and always look great for evening. An easier way to get them right is to swap fiddly shadows and brushes for chubby crayon sticks.Simply draw a fat line then smudge with a fingertip, opting for gold, bronze and pewter shades,” says Lewis.

FACE THE MUSIC

Illuminated and strobed skin is another party trend. Apply shimmer cream or powder to the tops of the cheek bones, brow bones and cupid’s bow. It also looks good on the shoulders and décolleté to show off a party dress or glitzy top.

The key to a party-perfect glow, however, lies in the prep. Grace Fodor, founder of beauty
brand Studio 10, advises: “Scrub gently with an AHA-based exfoliator to ensure skin is super smooth. Follow with a hydrating moisturiser with radiance boosting pigments to give the perfect base. Apply primer to help foundation go on evenly and stay put.”

TERRIFIC TRESSES

Party season requires lovely locks, and the right style can make all the difference to your customer’s look. Jay Rapata, hair stylist at Nicky Clarke, recommends: “Always start with clean hair. Use a good root boost product to add some volume. Try drying hair with a hot brush instead of a dryer and round brush, as it’s easier to use, and put a few Velcro rollers in to add volume.”

Once your customer has a bouncy barnet, they can add even more interest with colour or glitter. Rapata says: “Temporary colours are fun, but be cautious if you have blonde hair, as they can stain. Glitter looks better on dark hair and is easier to wash out.” Joanna Williamson, director of styling and education at AER Blowdry bar, adds: “I would advise spraying glitter on to the scalp and roots of your hair and then using some hair gel to help it stick.” No time to get hair coloured before a night out? Recommend a root touch up product to your customers, such as Charles Worthington Instant Root Concealer Powder (RRP £14.99) or L’Oréal Magic Retouch (RRP £8.99).

If your customer normally wears their hair loose, an up-do can give their look a new lease of life for a special social occasion. Rapata suggests a sophisticated bun: “On wet hair, take an orange-sized ball of mousse and add a few drops of serum to stop hair going crispy. Comb through and dry hair with a diffuser. Secure the hair in a pony tail and then twist into a low ballerina bun and secure with pins.”

If loose locks are more their thing, curls are always hot property for the party season. “Rough dry hair, then smooth with a bristle brush. Use heated tongs and hold sections of hair horizontally for six to eight seconds. Once hair is curled, add shine spray for a glossy look,” suggests Williamson.

 

BODY WORK

Soft, smooth skin is the perfect canvas for your customer’s little black dress. Fodor suggests starting with thorough exfoliation: “Dry scrub from top to toe before you get in the shower. Look for a sugar, not salt, scrub to avoid drying skin. One with a coconut oil base is more hydrating,” she advises.

Next, a bronze boost is ideal for adding some extra glow to skin. Sarah Jones, beauty therapist and expert, has this advice on getting the perfect fake tan for a night out: “Prep your skin well, which means taking time exfoliating and moisturising. If you’re a novice, try a tanning mousse, as these are easy to apply and even simpler if you use a hand mitt. I love the St Tropez Self-Tanning Mitt (RRP £3.99). Do your tan two days ahead to ensure you get the right shade.” Finally, a body lotion with shimmer or sparkle will set off your party outfit to perfection.

 

POST-PARTY QUICK FIXES

Your customer may be tempted to hit the pillow with a full face of make-up after partying. Recommend that they stock up on make-up wipes, such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleansing Wipes (RRP £4.99) or Simple Kind to Skin Exfoliating Wipes (RRP £3.49), to make the removal job easier.

The after effects of all that festive socialising are often most prominent around the eyes. Lewis recommends: “Use a radiance concealer with light reflecting particles to deflect light away from under-eye shadows and make you look awake.” Recommend Bourjois Radiance Reveal concealer (RRP £7.99).

“Apply a rich moisturiser before bed and the morning after to counteract dryness. Use eye drops to give the eyes some sparkle, a creamy blush on the apples of cheeks for radiance and lots of mascara to make you look less tired,” advises Williams.