How To Christmas-Proof Your Make Up

Christmas is one of those funny days where, unless you’re heading out for a pub lunch or country walk, you’re basically getting all dressed up to potter around the house. And let’s face it, while you want to look your festive best, Christmas day can often have other plans. From the heat in the kitchen to the blub-fest of a Christmas movie (Watership Down, anyone?), your makeup has the potential to last as long as that Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Want to ensure your makeup has your back (and your face)? Keep reading for the festive makeup tricks that will get you through the day⁠—and with products you already own, no less.

Be Merry (and Matte)

We love a dewy complexion as much as the next person. A glowy base can give off ‘I’ve just had a facial’ vibes, but spend too long in a hot, steamy, kitchen and that dewy base will resemble a high-shine bauble faster than you can say “bucks fizz”.

Hide Those Tears

Much like Prosecco (but a lot less fun), tears can flow on Christmas Day. Whether it’s that bittersweet holiday film or the annual family argument (no one mention the B word, OK?), make sure that your mascara stays put by slicking on the waterproof one you bought for your summer holiday. Just in case. Or, if you’re a pro at false lashes, swerve the mascara altogether.

Stay Cool, Calm and Collected

Whether you have to pretend (again) that you are overjoyed with the gift of novelty socks from your dear aunt Doris, who is looking at you expectantly, or you spend most of the morning with your head next to the oven as you cook lunch for 44, it’s easy to get hot and bothered on Christmas Day. Keep a mist in the fridge, so you can spritz your face at regular intervals.

Layer-Up Your Lips

The smartest lip look on Christmas Day is a shade that’s similar to your natural lip tone, so you can avoid regular touch-ups. But, it’s Christmas and you want to wear a red lip. OK, we hear you. For a long-lasting festive look, start by filling your lips completely with a red lip pencil. Next, apply your red lipstick of choice. Blot with a tissue and add another layer of lipstick. Even when the lipstick lifts away onto the rim of your wine glass, the pencil should leave a pretty stain.

Alternatively, opt for a lip stain right from the off and deliberately rock that blurred and bitten effect.

Sparkle Like The Tree

Now is the time to throw on that sparkly eyeshadow you bought after watching Euphoria back in the summer. If it’s a loose pigment, take a little clear lip gloss or Vaseline and smudge it onto your eyelids before patting the glitter on top. A dot of sparkle on the inner corner of the eyes can look very pretty and sophisticated or just pile it on with a joie de vivre attitude because, well, Christmas.