It is the most wonderful time of the year, and you’re going to show off it in your skin. This Christmas, we are talking glowy skin. Radiance will be your middle name this festive season.To get that perfect glisten that is guaranteed to turn heads, you must implement some serious skincare and makeup strategies as soon as possible. From hydrating layers to flawless finishing touches, we’ve put together a list of tips to help deliver on your Christmas skin ambitions (and make all your friends green with envy).
## Create a flawless base
As the first layer of your skin, it’s important that this is flawless. Getting foundation wrong can result in patchy, uneven-looking skin – not to mention a whole load of stress! Make sure you’re using the right shade so there are no embarrassing flashback moments. If you’re on the hunt for a flawless base, look no further than MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid. It’s perfect for those who want an all-day flawless finish.
## Stay hydrated
We all know that dry skin is the main reason for dullness. Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial for a flawless base (and face overall). A dry complexion will look dull, with patches of skin looking darker than the rest. To keep your skin hydrated and avoid dryness, use a oil-free moisturizer. Remember, you want to layer your moisturizer on top of your liquid foundation – using a cream on its own will result in it being too thick.
## Watch that breathing
No one wants to see your face looking like a mummy, so be mindful of your breathing patterns. Our skin naturally breathes, so if you’re wearing a heavy product (or are sweating a lot), you’ll see this most in the middle of your forehead and around your nose. Try to banish these ‘breathing marks’ by buffing them out with a brush.
## Don’t skip the brow game
Because brows are a key part of our face, it’s important to keep them fresh. Dusting brows and tweezering out any stray hairs are key ways to keep them looking groomed and fresh. If you start to overpluck, even if you’re not happy with your brows, you’re more likely to get a tattoo than a brow stroke.
To keep your brows looking groomed, you have to have a routine. MAC’s Prep Brow is a brow product you can use to set your brows while they’re still damp, or if they’re too flaky (which happens to us all!). Once your brows are set, you can use an angled brush to gently buff out any overplucked hairs. You can also use a brow gel to add volume and keep brows fresh.
## Add some shine with a cheek brush
If you’re looking for that perfect warm glow, a cheek brush is perfect for adding some shine. They’re perfect for adding some shine to the apples, or using it on your cupid’s bow to really add some dimension.
Make sure you’re brushing your cheeks with a synthetic brush, rather than a natural brush. They’re the perfect size for adding a little shine, but not so big that they look too obvious.
## Banish dry patches with sheet masks
A great way to keep your skin hydrated and banish dry patches is to use a facial mist. The perfect mist can also be used as a setting spray, which is perfect for keeping makeup in place. Another key way to keep your skin hydrated while banishing dry patches is to treat yourself to a sheet mask. They’re perfect for hydrating your skin, and even have ingredients like collagen and Vitamin C that help keep skin healthy and hydrated.
You can use them as a mask, or lightly pat them on your face as a setting spray to keep skin hydrated. You can also use them as a primer for makeup, which is especially useful in the winter when skin is more dry and makeup can look a little patchy.
## Slip in a little slip liner
To really make your eyes pop, you can use a black, grey or blue eye pencil to line your eyes. You can also use it as a base for your eyeshadow, smudging it around your eyes and slightly above the crease to set any shadow and keep it from falling off.
A black liner can also be used to smudge out the edges of your eyes, and around your lashline to eliminate harsh lines and create a softer look.
## Top it all off with a beautiful finishing touch
To finish off the perfect base, you have to have a beautiful lipstick. It’s that important to deliver on the lip game! Keep it simple with a bold red or deep purple – something bold but still sophisticated.
Glitter is perfect for adding that extra sparkle to your pout, while a glossy coat is perfect for a little slip. A matte finish is perfect if you want to keep your skin from shining and add a little extra shine.
Now that you’re perfected, get ready to show off your radiance. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be looking and feeling like a million bucks in no time.
