What better way to wake up on Christmas day than with a luxury skin and makeup regime that will have you looking fabulous from morning to night? Of course, with so much to do on the 25th, it’s essential to make your beauty routine quick, easy and impactful, which is where this checklist comes in. Follow these simple steps to unlock your luxe makeup look that will last all day - whatever Christmas drama is thrown at you.
Prep
Start the day as you mean to go on with a decadent at-home-facial to hydrate and refresh tired skin. Open your pores with heat, and exfoliate as normal before applying a sheet mask or your favourite hydrating skincare balm. While the mask sinks in, use the time to get ready for the day ahead, or just put your feet up and enjoy the quiet before the storm.
Are your go-to masks not cutting it? Treat yourself to something new, like the Caudalie Vinergetic C+ Instant Detox Mask with purifying clay, coffee and grape extract - an excellent choice for oily skin.
Base
Your canvas is prepped and ready, but before you begin to apply any cosmetics, be sure to start with a good primer. Not only will a primer smooth over any imperfections, but it will also help you to achieve even coverage with your foundation and prolong how long it lasts on your skin.
Find out what all the fuss is about with benefit's The POREfessional Face Primer, a consistently best-selling primer that uses silicone to provide a matte, blurred finish to prepared skin. Want to brighten dull skin? Try benefit's The POREfessional Pearl Primer which delivers the same matte texture but with a subtle, pearly hue - available in the benefit Primer Gift Set.
Foundation
You’re primed and ready for action, so next comes your foundation. Christmas Day usually involves a lot of photo-taking, often without the benefit of flattering angles or lighting, so make your foundation count. Too matte and you risk looking chalky, too dewy, and you’ll look like you’ve been sweating over the oven all day.
For best results, choose a sheer, build-able foundation with a light matte or silk finish, such as Estée Lauder Double Wear SPF10, which boasts up to 15 hours of flawless skin. Apply it with a damp beauty sponge for even application, building it up in areas you need additional coverage.
Lips
Red. Lips. Enough said. Perfect your festive pout with a bold, bright red that sets hearts aflutter. While some lipsticks can exacerbate winter dryness, M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick contains hydrating ingredients to keep your pout on point. In shade, Ruby Woo, this is the perfect Christmas hue.
Want the ultimate bang for your buck? benefit Kisses & Wishes is a set of four mini lip balms in a range of gorgeous shades. With wild mango butter and hyaluronic acid, you’ll be mistletoe-ready.
Lashes
‘Tis the season for falsies, or at the very least, making the most of your own. If there’s ever an occasion to go big with your lashes, it’s Christmas time, so step away from your working day go-to and amp up the volume with false lashes or a serious mascara.
Why not try M.A.C Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara Duo? With its phenomenal smudge-proof formula, it offers up to 16 hours of wear while still being easy to remove at the end of a long day.
Shadow
Will you be opting for a classic smokey eye this Christmas? Or perhaps something more festive? Whatever you choose, make your life easier by choosing a palette that contains everything you need to nail the look.
Sick of your shadow sinking into your creases? If facial primer alone isn’t enough to keep it in its place, try a dedicated eye primer such as benefit Stay Don't Stray which conceals, moisturisers and gives shadows stay power.
Set It
Last, but certainly not least, finish your makeup look with a setting spray or powder to lock it all in place. Not only will setting spray ensure your makeup lasts all day, but it also gives skin an added dose of hydration. After all, it’s unlikely to be water filling your champagne flute as you sing carols around the fire.
While setting sprays are ideal for most skin types, a powder is a better choice for those with oilier complexions. Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder is translucent but absorbs oil and blurs imperfections, so you’ll be photo-ready.
And there you have it, a flawless Christmas makeup routine that will keep you looking gorgeous from dawn ‘til dusk.
