Party season is well and truly underway, so whether you’re glamming up to the max or just want to streamline your prep process for transforming from workwear to party diva, we’ve got you covered (literally).
At this time of year, getting ready isn’t always done in the comfort of your own home (sometimes it’s in the office, or even in the car between events – yes, we speak from experience), so we’ve compiled some of the go-to essentials we keep handy in our ultimate Party Prep kit.
Lady Jayne Salon Pro Rechargeable Straightening Brush, $109.99
Say hello to your new BFF for party season. This cordless, ceramic heated hairbrush is compact enough to fit in most handbags and ideal for a quick hair smooth and style before your party or event appearance. Charges with USB cable to deliver 25 minutes of continuous brushing, with no cables to get in the way. Perfect to use on the go for taming frizz for a final touch. Farewell flyways!
These deliciously cooling ice globes from The Facialist are the ultimate at-home (or in-office) facial massage tool. Just glide or roll over your face and neck and apply gently to the eye area. Instantly cooling and calming, it’s the perfect pre- or post-party trick to help minimise the appearance of pores and heal and renew skin. Plus, they only take approx. 10 minutes to cool in the fridge.
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsule
The ultimate party popper. If your skin is looking tired and dull (it happens) and you’ve got an evening (or day) event, just pop the golden capsule and smooth the lightweight serum generously for an instant ceramide boost. Lusciously moisturising plus packed with anti-ageing power in the form of potent botanicals and a retinol derivative.
KYNN shapewear, priced from $59
A little extra support can be the difference between relaxed confidence and fidgeting uncomfortably at your outfit all night. We recently discovered KYNN, a New Zealand shapewear brand that has become our go-to under sleek party dresses and suits. Pro tip: Find the skin tone most suited to yours for a nude look under summer whites (to help avoid those unexpected sheer moments).
Bored Brows Wax & Brush Set, $59
Want to give your brow game a quick lift? Whether you’re after fluffy brows or sleek groomed brows, the choice is yours with a helping hand from this clever New Zealand-created brow wax. Lift, tame, and sculpt your brows to feathered perfection. This clear brow wax lasts all day (and night) without flaking or making brows stiff.
Fragrance is the finishing touch to every party prep. This year, the Boy Smells collection has been a regular handbag inclusion. As well as craving the truly unique fragrances, we love how compact the bottles are. Current fave: Violet Ends (smoky papyrus, incense, white birch, and a flourishing heart of violet and rhubarb). Not even your imagination will be able to conjure up how this sniffs – like all the good things in life, it has to be experienced in person.
Turn up your lash game with these clever eye fringes that deliver zero mess and maximum hold. Perfect for a last-minute addition to up your party look, it’s edged with a water-activated band, so no glue and ideal for sensitive eyes. Simply dip the base of the band into warm water and voila! fluttery eyelashes are all yours.
ghd Flight Travel Hair Dryer, $119
Good hair days can be yours every day, thanks to this compact, lightweight ghd travel hair dryer. The compact design features a foldable handle for even easier packing and travelling, along with all the performance needed from variable speed and temperature settings to ghd hair safeguard technology.
Peachy Lip Co. Lip & Cheek Tints
This little pot of colour could well be your new best friend this party season. Available in four fun shades from Nudie Rudie to Bold Babe, the beauty is in its versatility. Apply one swipe to lips for a hint of tint and glow, two swipes for deeper colour, and three for the ultimate bold, glossy lip. Plus, it can be used as cheek tint with buildable cheek colour.
OK, so the name isn’t super glam but the results are certainly uplifting. This New Zealand brand specialises in hypo-allergenic, latex-free, and easy-to-remove breast tape, specifically designed to support breasts under dresses or tops where you want to go bra-free. The range also includes silicone nipple covers and Nip Slip double-sided fashion tape for added confidence with cleavage revealing or strapless/backless dresses.
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