The most important tip of all – make sure you have a foundation that matches your skin tone exactly. Start with a primer to help your make-up last the entire night (MAC do a great one).
Mineral powder foundations are very easy to apply and give a gorgeous finish, or you can use a very light layer of liquid foundation set with a translucent powder. A good concealer will cover blemishes and imperfections, simply pat on gently until blended. Give the skin some warmth with a dusting of bronzing powder – tap excess off the brush and swirl under cheekbones. Bronzer also looks fantastic dusted along the décolletage.
Bright colours are hot right now, and a gorgeous bold lip colour would compliment a black, white or neutral coloured dress perfectly – classic red, fuchsia pink or even an orange/red are all fantastic options. Lipstick lasts longer and gives a deeper hit of colour, or alternatively use a bright lip gloss for a softer look. Prep your lips the night before with plenty of lip balm so they are moisturised and ready for lip colour.
If you opt for bright lips, use a simple nude eye shadow over the whole lid, natural looking false lashes (the MAC half set are great), and black mascara on the top lashes only. Apply your lashes last, a few millimetres in from the outer edge of the eye so they dont drag the eye down.
For an easy smoky eye, start by applying a shimmery shade (nude, beige, or even a sheer white) softly all over the entire eyelid. Line the top lash line with a soft pencil (black, navy and brown all work beautifully). Don't worry if your line isn't perfect, smudge the edge out gently with a cotton bud.
Use an eye shadow brush to pat on a small amount of dark eye shadow directly over the line you have smudged, and use tiny, feathery light circular motions to blend the edge of the colour into the lighter base colour. Don't blend up too high. Take a little bit of this colour along the lower lash line.
Line the inner rim of the eye and the lower lash line very lightly, and smudge. Place a tiny amount of gold or silver shimmer on the inner corner of the eye to make it pop. Finish with two coats of mascara to the top and bottom lashes (do your bottom lashes first). If you choose a smoky eye, do this first, then clean up any mess under the eyes with a make-up wipe before applying your foundation. Smoky eyes look gorgeous with a nude , peachy lip.
Finish up your look with blush patted on the apples of the cheeks, peach and rosy pink tones look beautiful and give the skin colour in photos.
HANDBAG MUST-HAVES (for touch ups throughout the night)
Your lipstick or lip gloss of choice
Pressed powder to take down shine – very important for photos
Black eyeliner to touch up the inner eye rim (if you are wearing smoky eyes)
Extras – cotton buds, eye drops, plasters and Panadol