How to do a Christmas makeup look in 5 minutes

Christmas party makeup isn't something you need to stress about. We've got some easy solutions, to get it done in five minutes flat.

Christmas party makeup, three words that can strike fear into the hearts of many. Will I be able to perfect a flick? Will my skin be dewy enough? Or too dewy... or even worse - shiny?! They're all valid questions, but, y'know what? It doesn't have to be stressful. There are lots of tips and tricks you can do for a quick, effective makeup look. So, forget about being Insta-perfect, party season is about having fun!

Here are some of our favourite tips and tricks for how to do Christmas party makeup, in five minutes.

Keep it simple

Most people will be going straight from work to their Christmas party. In one way this eliminates the need to travel back and forth between home and work (which means more time for dancing, yay!). But it also means you have to bring some of your stash into work.

Our first top tip is the keep things light. Try and stick to a few key products, or bring a palette that can be multi-functional. Highlighter/contour palettes are great for doubling up as eyeshadows for example. Also, instead of bringing your favourite lipstick out, use a retractable lip brush. Simply load it up with product, pop the lid on and voila, you have your favourite lip colour (and applicator) that's extra travel-friendly.

Glitter

Christmas party season is the perfect time to break out the glitter. For a quick, festive eye look NYX glitter pots or Charlotte Tilbury shimmer eyeshadows are ideal. Use a base on eyelids (such as MAC paint pot, concealer or a touch of foundation) and then press on the glitter with your fingertip. If there's a little fallout, don't worry - it's Christmas after all!

Lashes

When you're stuck for time, a quick and easy way to add some definition and drama to eyes is with a set of lashes. Choose feathery ones for a Bambi effect or more natural ones with an extra coat of mascara to give your eyes a little-added oomph. The best bit is, you can apply them at your desk five minutes before you head out.

Lipstick

Nothing says Christmas party makeup quite like a good red lipstick. If you're not really a lipstick person though, try a tinted balm for a hint of colour. For a festive flush, tap a little onto the apples of your cheeks too. This will create a soft colour and dewy effect which means no highlighter required.

Will you be going straight from desk to dance floor?