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Create a perfect look for parties
There's just six weeks left until Christmas which means the party season is well and truly gearing up.
But money's tighter than ever at the moment so you've probably got less cash to splash on a fancy dress and new heels.
Don't fret though, it's still possible to look fabulous by simply updating the way you do your hair and make-up on those big nights out instead.
With the help of professional make-up artist Elisabeth McLoone, and hair stylists Tatum Auld and Charlie Welch, we show you how to get the perfect party look.
Make-up
Elisabeth wanted to create a classic party look focusing heavily on smoky eyes and neutral lips.
Using products by MAC and Benefit, she set to work on giving aspiring model Siobhan Devine, 18, from Portsmouth, a timeless look guaranteed to last all night.
Elisabeth began by creating a solid base for the eyes, using a black liquid eye cream and blending it in up to the socket, preparing the way for the rest of the eye make-up.
Using one brush to apply a black eyeshadow and a second to blend it in, Elisabeth worked on creating that traditional sexy, smoky eyes look. By applying the eyeshadow gradually and blending it in, she was able to make the black eyeshadow look soft, rather than harsh.
Black mascara was used to separate the lashes and Elisabeth layered on fine glitter along the lower half of the lid to add shine and pretty sparkle.
To make the smoky eyes effect rock you've got to keep the rest of the look very neutral.
Elisabeth used foundation and concealer to even out Siobhan's skin tone and just a hint of pink blusher and illuminator on the cheekbones. A dark pink lipstick was applied with a brush and gloss was used over the top.
>> Top tip: 'Invest in a good eyeshadow brush, one big enough to work right through to the socket and use a different brush for blending,' says Elisabeth. 'Build the eyeshadow up and blend it in, rather than sweep it away. It's a classic party look and will suit everyone.'
Hair
Tatum and Charlie, joint owners of new Southsea salon Iris Hair Studio, wanted to give Siobhan a glamorous, sophisticated new look.
They began by putting Tigi's Ego Boost leave-in conditioner through her hair to act as a heat protector and to make it look smooth and shiny.
To create the perfect party look they used GHD irons but rather than straighten the hair they used the irons to curl instead.
By taking small sections of hair at a time and putting the irons in horizontally – as if she was about to straighten the hair – Tatum rotated the irons 180 degrees, held and released to create the curls.
Tatum and Charlie wanted Siobhan's curls to look natural and soft, but for set curls apply hair spray before curling.
Tigi's Head Rush shine spray was used as well as After Party smoothing cream to remove frizziness.
Head bands are a key look for this season so Tatum and Charlie added their own hand-made corsage head band, 5, for the final finishing touch.
>> Top tip: 'Head bands are really big for parties this year,' says Tatum. 'It will work with hair up or hair down and will dress up any hair style. Also, the key to getting a good look is to use products. It will just create a more finished look.'
Make-up by Elisabeth McLoone, 07793 717733.
Hair by Iris Hair Studio, 37 Albert Road, Southsea, (023) 9275 6010, iris.hair@hotmail.com. Iris Hair Studio will open for business on Friday, November 21.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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