Let’s get the party started

Christmas is forgotten (apart from the extra two kilos you’re desperately trying to budge before Jan 1) in favour of the night of nights – New Year’s Eve!

Time to get serious about your skin and clue up on the clever make-up tips and tricks you’re going to call on to ensure you look spruced and sparkling to shindig it with the best of ‘em.

First up, make sure you’ve read and re-read bh’s Beauty bible (compiled thanks to a whole host of beauty devotees such as yourself) – the more handy hints you can get under your belt, the better.

Next, let’s get a beautiful base. Simple Deep Cleanse Facial Mask is fabulously cheap at $3.50 but is just the ticket for achieving radiant and super clean skin. If it’s not already sat ready and waiting in your bathroom cabinet, pop it on your supermarket shopping list pronto.

Time to prime your way to complexion perfection: L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Smoothing Resurfacing Primer envelops the skin, resulting in a soft, smooth finish that feels just as good to touch as it does to look at.
For a lower-priced pick try Australis Cosmetics Primer (a bh Glosscars winner 2009) locks in vital moisture, smoothes skin texture and helps stop foundation from slipping.

There are myriad foundations to choose from but a big night like New Year’s Eve is probably not the best time to experiment with a new one. Instead, if you’re not currently using a foundation that contains light-reflecting pigments or pearlescent particles, try blending an illuminator like Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator with your trusty regular-use foundation for added radiance.

Sweep some powder over high-shine areas such as the nose, chin and forehead and a dusting of Benefit Dandelion (an illuminating face powder that leaves a petal-like finish) won’t do you any harm either. Sweep under eyes for added brightness.

Tickle the apples of your cheeks with a rosy blush like Maybelline New York Mineral Power Powder Blush in Original Rose and there you have it – the perfect canvas. Now go forth and add your finishing touches, whether you’re partial to a look-at-me mouth or you’d prefer to play up your peepers, you can experiment with colour until you find a look you love.

Looking for a truly impressive flutter? Bh’s Olivia shows you how…

What look will you be sporting this New Year’s Eve? How are you seeing in 2010?