Perfect your Christmas party make-up

Whether you are going out directly from work or home, we've got some excellent on-trend ideas and tips for the ultimate 'staying power'. We asked top make-up artists for their expert advice

Top trends
MAC Senior Artist Martina Luisetti says: 'Trends this Christmas definitely see the dark side of red on its way; colour palettes are filled with sultry brown and chocolate red, carmine and vermillion, be as sexy as you can be with this look!

If you feel a little more courageous (and if the Christmas call is too loud to ignore!) go with a deep red lip instead, and tons of mascara on your eyes: make sure you use an eyelash curler; it makes a world of difference.

For perfect Christmas red lips this season, trends were ALL on the dark side and not on the glamorous side; use MAC Lipstick in Soft Pause with MAC Dazzleglass in Love Alert on top; it was a hot combination this season backstage and the mysterious woman in you will no longer need to hide!'

Muted metallics
Charlotte Matheson, Head make-up artist at B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful says: 'This season saw designers embrace their inner darkness.

'Catwalks were a mass of black lace, lacquered leggings and wild romance. Make-up artists followed suit with muted metallic for the eyes and rich berry tones for the lips.

'To ensure your look is more glamorous than gothic, use one of B's new loose metallic powders in seasonal must-have- colours; burgundy, sage green and muted gold and silver. The iridescent glitter reflects light, and makes even the richest colours wearable on the face and décolletage.'

DIY Tips
Alan Pan, make-up artist at Estee-Lauder, has these tips for creating a dynamic day-to-night-look:

• Smokey eyes

'Smokey eyes quickly change your look from day to evening. It's easy to do; start with a dark, smokey charcoal colour such as Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadowstick in Black Pearl. Apply colour directly onto your eyelids with your finger, and blend-in. Using a lighter shade, apply this under the lower lashes, complete the look with black kohl along your lash line.'

• Lush lips

'Vibrant red lips is a must this festive-season, with lip liner giving a precise pout. Use the liner to give a curved effect and to prevent the finish from looking too angular. Complete with a rich red colour, Estee Lauder's Signature Lipstick in Ruby is ideal; then you're ready to-go!'

• Top tip

'My best festive tip to you ladies is carrying a few essentials in your bag for quick top-ups during the evening. Blotting sheets, concealer and your favourite lipstick will see you through the night.'

• Amazing eyes

Ariane Poole, celebrity make-up artist shares her top tips for making small eyes look bigger.
She says: 'Use light, pale and shimmery eye shadows over the entire eye, it really opens-up small eyes, and makes them look bigger. Avoid using dark colours all-over as this draws attention to smaller eyes.

'Choosing shades to suit eye colour is easy, avoid matching your eye colour to your eye shadow colour, as this will detract from your eyes. Choose deep plums or lilacs for green and blue eyes, and soft gold/copper tones for brown eyes. They will really stand-out!'

• Saving face

Nadira V Persaud, celeb make-up artist, who regularly works with Denise Van Outen and Jamie Winstone, says: 'To keep skin looking prepped and preened over the long party season, try Givenchy's Mister Bright, Touch of Light No.71 Dawnlight .
'It will conceal tired eyes and highlight contours with intense reflective particles, leaving skin looking bright and perked up, ready for the night ahead.
'If you have been a little over-zealous with the tweezers recently, don't panic! Fill in your brows with powder or pencil, choosing a shade or two lighter than your brow colour, to avoid them looking too dark and heavy.'

• Work to party tips

'If you are going to a Christmas party straight from work, and don't have time to start your make-up from scratch, work some deeper shades over your daytime look to turn it into an evening party look.
'Using Clarins Totally Black Eye Mono and a brush, gently sweep over eye sockets, concentrating the colour on the outer corners. Blend in to create a smoky eye effect.
'Add lots of black eyeliner and mascara to complete the look. Keep the rest of your make-up as your natural day look to keep the dramatic eye balanced.'Beverly England, Clarins
'If you don't have time to create smoky eyes, the quickest way to transform yourself is by applying a bright lipstick.
'What could be more festive than a bright red! Clarins Red by Clarins is a deep colour that suits most skin tones. If the idea of a bright red is too daunting you can always blot it slightly with a tissue and then apply a clear lip gloss,' says Beverly

• Festive face

Benjamin Rousseau, Lancôme National Make-up Artist, says: 'Christmas make-up should be glamorous and grown-up. Lancôme's new anti-age range, called L'Absolu Rouge moisturises your lips for up to eight hours post-application.
'No. 132 Caprice is ideal for the party season. My top tip is to apply a dot of lipstick to the apple of the cheeks, blend-in, and wear over your blusher to harmonise the look.
'For hours of perfect skin, Teint Idole Ultra Foundation has pigments in the formulas that provide an ultra-fine coating, and ensures optimal long-lasting colour with no need for any touch-ups. It's oil-free and comfortable to wear, perfect for festive parties.'