These Are This Year's Hottest Party Looks

It’s officially social season – Christmas parties, winter weddings and family gatherings mean our thoughts are turning to party makeup and easy updo’s that transform our hair from ‘business as usual’ to bombshell. That’s why we’ve enlisted the experts and created a quartet of easy party hair and makeup ideas to see you through the festivities.

Inspired by the autumn/winter 24 beauty trends that were seen on the catwalks, whether you want to opt for a cranberry lip, add a simple metallic wash across your eyes or wrap your hair up with a beautiful bow, these are achievable looks that will accentuate your best bits and get you feeling fabulous.

Cranberry Kisses

Red lips scream party makeup but elevate your look this season and go for a cranberry lipstick instead. Seen all over the autumn/winter catwalks – Anna Sui, Ferrari, Giada – bitten-looking lips in winter berry shades are a festive non-negotiable. They don’t have to be vampy either, think ‘film noir’ elegance. According to A-list makeup artist, Lan Nguyen-Grealis, who created the party looks on our shoot, berry tones are actually an easier lipstick shade to wear than red too.

“It’s all about the undertones of your natural lip colour,” explains Lan. “You can simply wear the berry lipstick in your chosen shade, then blot it off to get a stain – think about when you bite into a cherry and the colour it leaves behind.” There’s also scope to play with the finish too. Choose a velvety matte shade for a classic, demure look or add a swipe of gloss on top for a fun, high-shine smile.

Another plus point to the cranberry lip is it doesn’t have to be as picture perfect as a red lip, and a blurred out, slightly smudged aesthetic will still get the thumbs up from the makeup oligarchy. “My tip is to place the colour in the centre of your lips then blot with your finger or lip brush before smudging it outwards, building the intensity to suit you then dab some translucent powder over the top to give your lip longevity,” recommends Lan.

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Take a Bow

You’ve probably noticed that hair bows are everywhere this season. Thin ribbon ties, full and frilly, or emblazoned with cute prints, it’s the latter that prompted our very own Space NK Festive Bow Hair Clip, £7.50. In our signature pink and decorated in our eye-catching design, the silk bow is the perfect addition to ponytails and half up do’s a la Chanel.

“Bows are always a good hair accessory because they’re so versatile,” says award-winning celebrity hairdresser, Luke Benson who is behind the party hair on our shoot. “They come in different sizes which is ideal for different hair lengths and textures, and the bows can be attached to bands or clips so you can choose the best one for you, depending on your hair type.”

Another reason we love a bow is because it’s not a tricky style to fashion and is a fantastic option if you need a fast post-work hairstyle before you get into party mode. Of course, the more you can prep your hair, the better. “Before you dry your hair, you want to give it some guts and body which will help with the ‘swish’ so use some mousse, a styling foam or volumising lotion – whichever works best for your hair type,” advises Luke.

“Once its dry use a heated tongue through the hair to add a gentle wave then brush it out so the waves sit together. Pull your hair back into a ponytail (or half-up pony) and secure with a band. Fix the bow above the ponytail then set your look by misting your hair with a hairspray or high shine spray (just nothing too wet that could saturate the hair or affect the material of the bow).”

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Star Crossed Lovers

Metallic eyes are a party makeup win. Catching the light so your lids look iridescent but not glitter-encrusted, creamy eye crayons are the perfect product for creating this easy but effective makeup trend. Swipe over the lid or underneath your lower lashline and you’ve fashioned a non-fussy festive-appropriate look.

“Metallics add sparkle and shine and can give light to the eyes,” explains Lan. “They’re super versatile too because you can wear them as an eyeliner, an inner highlighter to brighten the eyes, or as a simple wash over the lid to give a youthful and playful dimension to the eyes.”

“Crayons are the simplest way to get it right but sometimes a metallic eyeshadow layered on with your fingers also adds a lovely sheen to the lid. I’d also advise prepping the eye beforehand with a little foundation base or concealer which helps to give grip before adding the metallic colours. An eye primer will also help with the intensity of the colour while adding a darker eyeliner can help set off the vibrancy of the colour,” continues Lan.

Adding some sparkle – not glitter – can also level-up your party makeup. A tiny crystal in the corner of your eyes or a sprinkling of iridescent stars across the top of your cheekbones and out towards the outer edges of your eyes gives a grown-up, three-dimensional effect that’s sophisticated and sleek and will glean you complements.

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All Over Glow

Party season doesn’t just mean tending to your hair and makeup, you need to think about your all over glow because glistening, fabulously fragranced skin exudes glamour and style. Call it glazed, call it glass, but just make sure it’s glowy.

“Illuminating the skin keeps it looking healthy in times when it’s generally drier during the winter season as it adds radiance and warmth. It can enhance your makeup wardrobe and contributes to a polished appearance for all the party looks,” says Lan.

Instant tans and body illuminators are a wonderful way to create that expensive looking sheen while Lan also recommends adding a few of your favourite bronzing drops into your body lotion. Just be sure to exfoliate beforehand to avoid patchiness and then moisturise, moisturise and moisturise some more to keep skin soft and ensure the product lasts on your skin better. You can also mist a matte or transfer-resistant setting spray on top or lightly dust a setting powder over your limbs to minimise any transfer from product to party outfit.

Consider your fragrance too. “Spraying fragrance directly on top of tan or makeup, especially on areas like your shoulders and décolletage, can lead to faster fading, streaking, or even patchiness as they often contain moisture, oils, or other ingredients that can disturb makeup, especially if it’s not fully dry,” warns Lan. So, either wait until your skin is completely dry or opt for fragranced hair mists, body creams and alcohol-free body mists that mean you don’t have to sacrifice on scent or scupper your glow.

Photography by Claire Harrison; Makeup by Lan Nguyen-Grealis; Hair by Luke Benson; Art direction by Wendy Tee; Beauty direction by Becci Vallis; Models: Mira @ Linden Staub and Ruby @ Milk Model Management; Nails by Jasmin Metta Francis; Styling by Anna Woodham.