4 minute party make-up: Master office to late night beauty

The season of goodwill, Brussels sprouts and impromptu mulled beverage-based shindigs is upon us. If you’re sick of swerving after-work gatherings because you can’t face going out barefaced, or you’re sadly working on New Year’s Eve, then you’ll know that the potential pitfalls of the day-to-night beauty transition fairly dwarf those of day-to-night dressing by comparison.

Well, as I see it, you’ve got three options:

1. Get up half an hour earlier (erm, next…).

2. Drag your entire make-up kit, brushes and all, to work with you (because a Santa Claus-style tote bursting with pots and powders is just what your party outfit needs) and spend (a) your commute poking yourself in the eye, or (b) your lunch hour in the loos.

3. Try my catwalk-inspired work-to-party make-up tutorial. 4 minutes, 4 products (all of which will slot right into the weeniest clutch or most overcrowded of desk drawers), no fuss.

Clean, fresh faces stalked the AW16 runways, elevated by simple party-friendly accents. Erdem, Antonio Berardi and Sibling championed the statement berry lip, whilst Vionnet outlined eyes and lips in gold.

So, golden eyes or red wine lips? I settled on both because, well, Christmas! Go the whole hog, go with one or the other and stop whenever you feel like it. A little flash of gold might be all you need to feel party ready…

OK, this is your 4 minute warning! On your marks, get set… glam!

[Learn how to transform your work clothes into a great Christmas party look!]

Step 1

OK, forget the cleansing wipes. Time is money, people, and that happy hour ain’t getting any longer. I’m going to assume you managed to slap some foundation, concealer, powder and mascara on when you rolled out of bed this morning. Add a little extra if you really need to. If not, move on…

If you’re the low key type, this might be all you need to do to perk up your work face. Smudge a little gold eyeliner around the inner corners of your eyes. Apply to the waterlines, too, if you like. I’m using Barry M Bold Waterproof Eyeliner in Gold, £3.99.

Step 2

Still feeling gilt-y? Apply a little more under your arches to give those eyebrows a lift.

Step 3

OK, let’s really make that liner earn its keep! It’ll highlight your cupid’s bow a treat…

Step 4

But why not make like the Vionnet girls and take it all the way round? It’ll have you feeling uber-festive and rivalling Kylie Jenner in the pout stakes (probably).

Step 5

Want more? If that red wine lip’s gonna last through a glass or two six of red wine, you’re gonna have to layer up… Start by colouring your lips in with a berry-toned liner. I’m using The Body Shop Lip Liner in Mauve Berry, £8.

Step 6

Now dab on a little matte berry-toned lipstick, using your finger, for a too-cool-to-care ‘stained’ effect that’ll have you looking like you’ve just stepped off the Erdem catwalk. I’m using Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 975 Divine Wine, £6.99.

Step 7

Prefer a more polished look? Channel the Sibling girls and top with a richly pigmented gloss. I’m using Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in Plum Girl, £8.99, which goes on like a gloss but dries to a matte finish which will last right through to last orders… and beyond.

Step 8

Because space is precious – ain’t nobody got space in that party clutch for blusher, am I right? Apply a little more of the lipstick you used in Step 6 to your cheeks to ramp up that rosy glow. Pat onto the apples of your cheeks in a triangular pattern, then blend.

Step 9

Finally, add a little more gold liner to the inner corners of your eyes to really make them pop.

Step 10

Kiss your desk goodbye.