As party season gets into full swing, its time to dust off the little black dress, rummage through your knicker drawer for your lucky lace g-string and pout charmingly under the mistletoe.

 

What’s really going to get you noticed at swanky soirees though is the attention to detail; like having a soft, luminous complexion, and irresistibly smooth and touchable skin. Hair should be clean, loose and shining, looking effortless and well groomed at the same time. It’s the simple things that make the difference, but when time is short it all seems like a tall order. In fact, with the minimum of effort you can get the maximum impact – its all about transforming your daily beauty routine into a revved up version for party night.

Starting with achievable, soft and sexy skin, exfoliation is absolutely key. Not only does a good exfoliator get rid of dry and dead skin cells that can leave skin with a dull, taut appearance, it also boosts circulation around the body, giving that elusive freshness and glow. You know an exfoliator is going to do the job properly when it feels coarse to the touch with plenty of exfoliating beads or granules. Some exfoliators contain rounded spheres, which are fine for very young skin or sensitive types, but most of us need industrial strength! Ole Henriksen Rub ‘n’ Buff Salt Scrub, £35, is made to spa standards so you really will see a difference in how your skin looks. Concentrate on rough areas, such as elbows and knees, but also pay attention to the thighs and the backs of the arms, particularly if your party dress is strappy or sleeveless. After exfoliation, it’s essential to be generous with moisturiser all over your body to get the newly revealed skin looking supple and gleaming. This Works Enjoy Really Rich Lotion, £30, uses nature’s most powerful skin hydrators, such as Shea butter, aloe vera and essential oils of Rose and Geranium to soften, moisturise and most importantly, give skin that elusive, backless party dress beauty! Tip: The Beauty Experts love a bit of lustre; we’re shimmering at the dinner dances with Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Soft Body Shimmer, £30.

We are all beginners at getting our complexions party perfect. Stress, pollution and tiredness all take their toll on our faces, so starting from scratch pre party with a special skin pick-me-up gives a fresh-from-the- facialist boost. Face masks are an all important part of refining and refreshing the complexion, so add an extra ten minutes to your cleansing routine, and hey presto, party face! Alpha-H 15% Glycolic Hydrating Mask, £43, has become an instant hit for the Beauty Experts; it’s a high performance mask that gives pretty well instant results and is perfect for an extra boost before a big night. All the immediate action, such as toning, brightening and plumping the skin is backed up by repairing properties to encourage cell renewal and accelerate collagen production for longer term benefits too. REN F10 Enzymatic Smoothing Skin Mask, £18.50, is a lightweight gel mask that gives heavy duty results. Suitable for all skin types, it uses papaya enzymes to slough away any dullness from the skin, gently restoring brightness and luminosity. Rich in Omega 6 and essential fatty acids, it’s a boosting skin treat that can be used in any multi-tasking arrangement…deck your halls or paint your nails while the mask gets to work!

Is your hair a total mare, or is it your crowning glory? Either way, we’ve got solutions aplenty to restore or enhance lustre and vitality. Shhh! Rumour has it that London’s Philip Kingsley clinic is where the models head before they shoot a hair commercial to get their tresses into tip top condition; but you can give your hair the superstar treatment at home with a selection of mane tamers! Philip Kingsley Remoisturising Conditioner, £14, gives hair its ‘oomph’ back – use it after shampooing to hydrate and deeply condition. While it’s best for frizzy, curly or plain out of control locks, any hair that’s suffering from the drying effects of central heating will benefit. If your party look involves keeping your hair loose, natural and tactile, Lucinda Ellery Exceptionally Nurturing Treatment Conditioner, £17.50, is the one for you. A vitamin boost ensures your hair is incredibly soft, moisturised and shining. But, if you like to doodle with your do, upsweeps and chignons are the ultimate in sophisticated barnets. Prep your hair first though, using Fudge Unleaded Elastik, £8.95, on wet hair before blow drying, to give it great hold and a shimmering lustre. Lastly, as anyone knows, going from office to party holds its own unique hair nightmares! Put yours to bed with a spritz of Phyto Extreme Shine Spray, £13.50 to give instant just-washed lustre and bounce.

 

Hilary – BE Founder: “If I’m wearing a short sleeved dress, I love making my arms look really smooth and flawless. I use lots of moisturiser and like to add a hint of shimmer to really define them.”

 

Suzi – Skin Product Specialist: “I’ll confess! I’m a skin peel freak! I love using peels a couple of days before a big night out because everyone comments on how fab my skin looks, which sends my confidence sky rocketing!”

 

Ruth – Beauty Adviser: “I love to have a long soak in a bath infused with aromatherapy oils before a party; not only do I feel instantly clean and moisturised, the oils leave a delicious sheen on my skin that looks so sexy.”

 

Alison – Customer Service Manager: “In a word, fragrance! But my party trick is to spray a subtle, woody home fragrance at head height and then walk through the mist so that I have a delicate subtle scent everywhere – in my hair and on my clothes. The next day, one sniff of  my evening gown reminds me of the gorgeous night before!”