All day makeup: taking you from day to night

Christmas isn't just about one day - countless days out, followed by nights out can leave your makeup looking a little eh less than perfect shall we say.  So proper planning pays off - here's my suggestions!

It's a rare day that I take the time to do proper makeup lately; in fact I consider it good going if I manage some mascara and eyeliner. But I do still love the whole makeup ritual when the occasion demands it, and so I've already been thinking through what I'll wear for Christmas and mentally planning the time for it.

I rediscovered my MAC 187 Duo Fibre brush for applying foundation on a recent night out, so I'll be using that to apply my trusty Ellis Faas Skin Veil foundation - this gives a gorgeous natural look that's perfect for daytime wear and it'll take no time to apply with the MAC brush.

If the baby continues to sleep as badly as she has been lately over the next few nights, the Ellis Faas Concealer will also be a must to hide my dark circles - this one does a great job of reflecting light without looking cakey or gathering in fine lines.

A quick dusting of Armani Luminous Silk Pressed Powder should help to ensure my base lasts the day - as my skin is super-dry lately I'll just be lightly dusting this over my t-zone.

When it comes to cheek colour, I know I'll be reaching for Bobbi Brown Pale Pink blush. Despite the name, this gives me a gorgeous pop of colour that really wakes me up and it's pigmented enough to last all day.

I'm not going to push it by going for a complicated eye look. I want something simple that I can do quickly and not have to worry about technique. So I'll be wearing NARS Lhasa eye shadow - the perfect cool, silvery taupe with enough dimension to wear from lashline to crease for an easy look with impact.

I'll finish things off with a swoop of black liquid liner - my trusty Geisha Ink pen will allow me to draw a nice defined line and take it up into a neat flick at the outer corner for a look that isn't overdone in the morning and lasts all day - and a couple of coats of Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Curl mascara to open my eyes.

I want something sheer and natural on my lips - bright red or hot pink lips don't really work for me  so Ilia Beauty's Tinted Lip Conditioner in Blossom Lady will give me enough colour to perk my lips up while allowing me to apply and forget about it (it also doesn't require a mirror for reapplication, which is handy).

Have you also got your look planned for the Christmas? If so, share it with us!