Party tricks
Six quick and easy ways to look and feel fabulously festive, from top to toe.
Firstly, full disclosure: the festive scene below couldn’t be further from where I am right now.
I’ve managed to pull something or other in my back—ongoing issues since childhood, and I really should get back to Pilates. I’m sending this on Tuesday evening with a heat wrap stuffed into the waistband of my PJs, which might be TMI but I’m very much about keeping it real at the MBE (ALWAYS!)—so today’s first recommendation, therefore, is Boots’ Microwavable Heat Wrap. (AMAZING. And not as unglamorous as it sounds, as it comes in a simple, almost-Christmassy navy velvet cover).
But, onwards and party-wards! In today’s edition, six, quick and easy ways to feel party-ready, from top-to-toe.
1. Put a bow on it
Bows are BIG this season - in every sense. (For some reason, as I typed that, my mind went right back to 1985 and tying a huge black lace bow in my super-scrunched hair à la Desperately Seeking Susan. THIS IS NOT THAT KIND OF BOW.)
Think simple, festively chic … velvet maybe? And what could be easier than a clip-on bow, already perfectly tied and ready to attached to a ponytail band, or scrunchie, like this?
The clip is at the back, look! So clever.
Similarly, & Other Stories has a giant, silk-satin fabric clip-in bow.
Just yesterday, talked about creating a Christmas tablescape with the adornment of velvet and/or vintage fabric bows, which could serve double-duty as hair accessories: “This Christmas we've gone for red velvet bows and vintage embroidered bows. Mix them up for maximum effect and watch your guests feel utterly spoiled (and inspired to wear on their pony tails or as bow ties!)” she writes.
Love that idea!
Boden has a large clip-on hair bow in festive tartan.
Bows aren’t just for the hair, either—they’re adorning on-trend nails this winter, too.
I know this hardly counts as an instant party trick, BUT, if you’re treating yourself to a mani for the holidays, then having a bow on a statement nail or two, or as a fresh, festive alternative to white tips on a French mani, would make you feel party-ready for the coming weeks.
If you’re feeling artistic, and have a steady hand, here’s a how-to:
For other festive nail ideas, check out last week’s Nailing it.
2. Hit the spotlight
Dotting a dash of grown-up highlighter onto areas like the cheekbones, brow bones, and clavicle is an easy win. For the freshest finish, avoid chunky glitters and seek out highlighting sticks, balms and liquids with super-fine shimmer.
A gorgeous recent discovery, Westman Atelier’s Petite Lit Up Highlight Stick Duo includes baby-sized versions of Gucci Westman’s much-loved highlighter, one to illuminate, and one to add a super-fresh flush of colour to cheeks. Better still, it comes in at under £40.
While it’s showing out of stock online at the time of publishing (thank the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping frenzy), if you’re near a Space NK, head for the pick 'n' mix “discovery” mini’s area, usually near the counter.
Also perfect for the task, Jones Road Miracle Balms in Happy Hour is sheer pink with a dash of silver shimmer, while Magic Hour is a shimmering, barely-there bronze. Dab it on right from the tub, and blend with fingertips (could not be easier. The limited edition mini versions are still available, too.)
And, spotlighting cheekbones since the nineties, Nars’ The Multiple in Copacabana is still going strong (it was part of my wedding day makeup!).
Fun fact: François Nars is said to have created the OG 1996 formula, after a shoot with Harper's Bazaar with supermodel Carolyn Murphy.
Cute and a great formula, Milk Makeup’s Highlighter in Flash (Golden Bronze) or Spark (Golden Copper)—among other shades—give skin a really fresh, shimmery swipe of colour (above), and I also really like the texture of ILIA’s new Lightshift Cream Highlighter, in Daze, Arc and Glint. It’s got an amazing, powder-to-cream texture and lends skin a lovely shimmer.
This is Daze.
3. Glow up
Gleaming skin is hydrated skin—keep dry legs, elbows, heels et al well nourished over the next few weeks by getting into the habit of reaching for some kind of body lotion, balm or butter every day (especially if you like a warm bath or shower, which will further sap skin of moisture).
On top of that, pre-party, apply a dry oil with a hint of shimmer—and maybe fragrance—for extra gleam, like the OG:
If you want more of a bronzed look, of course the Huile Prodigieuse Or is not just for summer—dig it out, if you’ve got some lurking at the back of a drawer (it’s great for the tops of party feet, too. And speaking of which, any shimmer bronzer will instantly zhuzh-up feet that have already gone into hibernation mode in boots).