Elevate your make-up look this festive season

Christmas is coming and party season is in full swing, so I figured this was the perfect time to pull out some go-to party looks. If living in hibernation has taught us anything, it’s that it’s time to let the inner glamazon shine – so it’s out with “no-make-up make-up”, literally. But remember the golden rule of beauty still applies: play up either eyes or lips but not both.

Cara Delevingne’s golden goddess look, created by make-up artist Romy Soleimani at New York’s Met Gala in May is the inspiration. “It’s obviously very pretty and very glamorous,” says Soleimani, “but there’s a toughness to it because that’s very Cara. It almost feels a little Ziggy Stardust-y.”

Skin in good condition makes any make-up application easier, so start your routine with a morning cleanse followed by gentle exfoliation (try First Aid beauty Facial Radiance Pads, from Sephora, $65 for 60), topical vitamin C such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum (from Adore Beauty, $233) and finish with a moisturising sunscreen such as Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Skinscreen (from Adore Beauty, $49). The evening is all about retinol and niacinamide. Retinol helps remove dead skin cells and boost collagen and niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is an anti-inflammatory that helps even skin tone and adds hydration. Try Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator Exfoliating Serum ($132). Now it’s time for the fun stuff.

The first rule? Set aside some prep time. My complexion throws a bit of red, so Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer (from Mecca, $63) is a no-brainer for me.

Next comes foundation in the form of Dior Forever Couture Perfect Cushion Foundation. Apply it to the back of your hand, then dab it on using a stippling motion with a Beautyblender (from Sephora, $28).

Gold and bronze eyeshadows, shimmery or matte, flatter everyone. We love Trinny London Eyetallics in Aurora for its easy application using a small, dome-shaped brush.

For extra oomph, add a swipe of Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow (from Mecca, $36) under the lash line and a dab in the inner corner of the eye. To finish, apply two coats of Lancôme’s Hypnôse Mascara ($62) and your eyes are done. Finish with a delicious nude lip such as Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk (from Mecca, $49).

Our love affair continues with lipstick. Gucci’s beautiful new gold-speckled red has a pigment so dense precision is required, so apply it with a lip brush. Or update a favourite lipstick with a gold shimmer: try M.A.C Pigment in Rose Gold. The final touch for a party face? Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (from Mecca, $49).