Whether you are spending Christmas with family, or heading out to glitzy parties over the festive period, you will want to look your best. Here’s how to do it, plus three products that will really make you sparkle.

Party make up

The key to looking great for your Christmas party is to put on your eyeshadow first, then apply your foundation and any other make up you want to wear. This way any loose eye shadow won’t fall in those places you don’t want it to end up.

Simple ‘up do’

One of the best beauty tips you can master is the art of a simple ‘up do’. Twist one section from the front of your hair, then pin into place at the back of your head. Repeat with the other side. Then take the remainder of your hair and tie a messy bun. Elegant, simple and, importantly, it’s quick.

Glittery lips

To master the look, line your lips with a light-coloured lip pencil and add foundation to the corners of your mouth. Then apply a creamy lipstick using a lip brush before using a flat brush to add on your glitter. To glam up your lips even more add some clear gloss.

Combat alcohol

Alcohol dehydrates you and can leave your skin dry, grey and dull. To make sure your skin glows despite all those Christmas cocktails, invest in some cleansing milk that contains hyaluronic acid. And if you want to apply a brightening facemask, look for one that contains alpha-hydroxy acid, a natural acid that helps to destroy dead skin, firms up skin and moisturises.

Tired eyes

All those nights out partying is bound to leave even young eyes looking tired. To make sure you stay looking bright and alert over Christmas give yourself a little eye massage to get rid of puffiness. Begin at the corner of one of your eyes and work your way up, between your brow bone and your eye, rubbing as you go until you reach the outer edge of your eye. Repeat along your lower lash line. And don’t apply your blusher too high as it can make you look tired.

Flat stomach

For most of us, a flat washboard stomach is a distant dream, yet we have a few tricks that might make that flat tummy achievable. Try peppermint capsules or Aloe Vera juice, each supports the digestive system and can help you achieve a flat stomach by preventing bloating.

Try to limit foods that contain refined sugar, or fermented products like cheese and alcohol.

Have a great time

One of the best beauty Christmas tips of all is to simply enjoy yourself. Whatever you’re up to this Christmas, make sure you spend time with people you like and who make you feel good about yourself. When you are having a great time your skin glows, your eyes brighten and everyone warms to you and wants to spend time in your company.

Heavenly Bodies

Beauty writer Sara Niven picks her star beauty gifts for Christmas

1 The Star, £10

With a prettily packaged 9ml of Aromatherapy Associates’ award-winning Revive

Morning Bath & Shower Oil this is a lovely little stocking filler or surprise gift to leave hanging from the tree on Christmas morning. It will perk up the user on the morning of the big day too as it contains a revitalising blend of grapefruit, rosemary and juniper. Find it online at www.johnlewis.com or www.aromatherapyassociates.com.

2. Stardust gift set, Lush, £27.50

This new offering from Lush includes six fun star-inspired beauty products – a Stardust bath bomb, Shoot for the Stars bath bomb, Rock Star soap, two different bubble bars and a Snow Fairy shower gel. It comes ready wrapped and would be perfect for teenagers. If you’re just looking for star stocking fillers you can buy all the products separately (but would miss out on the lovely star-shaped box!). Available from www.lush.co.uk.

3.Angel Passion Limited Edition Eau de Parfum 50 ml, £65

In an eye-catching, star-shaped ruby red bottle and beautifully boxed, this new offering from Thierry Mugler has ‘perfect perfume Christmas gift’ written all over it. It is a unique, tangy fragrance that is bound to attract favourable comments. The bottle is refillable too as an added bonus. Call 0800 123 400 for your nearest stockist.

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