Tip 11 of my advent calendar of beauty tips

To get precision lipstick application I always like to line my lips with a sharp pencil and use a lip brush as opposed to straight from the bullet , especially when you are using a red or dark shade as it is really noticable when it's not neatly applied.

I also like to go round the outside of my lips with a concealer on an angled brush to clean up the edges or this can also help rectify any little mistakes . 

If you do make a major mistake aaaahhhhh - take a damp cotton bud, press firmly on the mistake and then push it in towards you lip instead of side to side or you will just spread the lipstick further out .  Here is a pic of some of my precision lip work , photographer by Claire Coulter . 

Advent tip number 7

You know what it's like when you have finished all your eye makeup , you go to put mascara on and you get it all over you lid ruining your makeup. To help prevent this use an old business card (or have also seen a plastic spoon used )and place behind the lashes so you can coat your lashes without the fear of getting it everywhere . 

Advent tip number 5

Can you tell I have already ran out of different ways to name thes posts ...

Well tip number 5 is for those that wear lipstick and have had the embarrassing situation when you have went to the bathroom and catch yourself in the mirror to see lipstick all over your teeth. 

So to stop this , once you have applied your lipstick if you pop your finger in your mouth and slowly pull it out . And all the excess lipstick that tends to get all over your teeth will end up on your finger . 

Five festive tips to take you from desk to dancefloor

With Christmas party season upon us and a lot of office parties happening , I have come up with a few solutions to take your work/ day makeup and transform it into ultra party glamour with as little products as possible . 

Now in an ideal world we would be cleansing all our makeup off and starting again , but in reality I know we pile the products on top when we are short of time .

So to keep products to a minimum I would start by refreshing your face with spritz of Avene Eau Thermale ( from £3.15 for 50ml). Now this might be enough to revive your base and in which case I would miss the next stage .

However If your needing a little more , I love to pop a little Bare Minerals foundation (£25 per 8g)on top of my day makeup , it doesn't need to be set and will cover a multitude of sins. 

As for your eyes a nice shimmery shade swept across the whole lid even using your finger will add a nice party feel and lining your eyes using something like the Avon super shock gel pencil in black (£6) will define the eyes and placing it in the waterline will make it a more intense look  .

A change of lip colour will instantly change the look , going for something more vibrant or a red will transform it into a much more festive look .  

Finally a spray of dry shampoo into the hair to take away any greasiness that has build up and add instant volume and texture for a tousled feel. Something like TIGI Rockaholic is one of my particular favourites .

Then your all set to go party , in less than 5 minutes . Have fun ...