Tis the season to be beautiful

Christmas will soon be upon us, and the season to party, party, party!  Christmas can be an exhausting time, and in the midst of shopping, party planning, food prep, it’s easy to get swept up in the festivities and forget to plan in some time for your beauty essentials so that you look super preened throughout the holidays.  Forward planning is essential, the Christmas season is a busy time for salons and spas so book your appointment in as early as possible.

Top Party Preps

Dazzling Nails

Beautifully manicured and painted nails are number one on the party-prep ‘to do’ list.  Gel polish is a Godsend and definitely the way to go for a finish that will last throughout the Christmas party season and New Year too.  Formulated for long lasting wear (up to three weeks), chip proof and with a high shine finish that doesn’t fade.  For full on bling why not embellish with glitter and gems or for something fun and funky, opt for some seasonal nail art in the form of snowflakes, holly or even Christmas puddings!

Brow Enhancing

It’s no longer a simple matter of just plucking out the stragglers, but really emphasising the brow and making them a statement.  A good shape and tint can make all the difference and actually make you look younger by giving the illusion of lifting the eyes.  There are many options on a brow service, some more permanent than others.  A good place to start is with a shape and tint.  Tinting last about 4 weeks, but only tints the hair that you have, for something more permanent you could consider micro-blading, where tiny cuts are made and then dye applied, to simulate individual hairs and fill out sparser brows or make the brow bolder.  A numbing cream is used so it’s not too uncomfortable but downtime is requires as some scabbing occurs (not a good look if you are partying), and it can take a few sessions to achieve the desired result.

That Party Glow

If your bronzed summer skin is a distant memory and pale skin doesn’t really rock your party frock, a fake tan is the way to go.  A spray tan is the fastest and easiest option; you can easily squeeze one in during your lunch hour! Plan a spray as close to the party as possible as they generally look their best for 2-3 days, then slowly fade.

Lash Extensions

The finished results can be as dramatic or as natural as you desire.  The downside is the maintenance with requires infills every 2-3 weeks, it’s time consuming and pretty expensive long term.  They require daily combing, and you shouldn’t use mascara or oil based makeup cleansers.  The upside is that they look amazing! If you don’t want to commit the time & expense, then a great compromise is a …..

Lash lift and tint

This treatment gives a natural, yet glamourous result.  Lashes are first permed to give curl and lift, then tinted to add definition.  The benefit is that you can still apply mascara for added vava voom!  The finished result lasts 6 weeks, time it right and you’ll be set for Christmas and New Year!