Get Your Sparkle On: Nine Of The Best Beauty Treats To Get You Party Ready

What is it about this time of year that makes us want to roll around in glitter and embrace the sparkle from top to toe? Every other month of the year and I turn my nose up at glitter like it's three month old cheese we found lurking in the back of the fridge, but in December it's my new best friend - as the party season provides the perfect excuse to get our sparkle on and shine bright like a diamond. Right now there are so many great beauty buys and little gems that make the process of getting ready even brighter, as well as adding a fleck or two of shimmer to your look (whether you want to go all out or keep it understated) and I've created an edit of some of my faves. Although they're suited to every month of the year, when it's perfectly acceptable to wear them all at once - why not!


Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick 'Rose' Compact (£31.95)
Starting of with a classic, this shimmer brick features five individual shades that together create a beautiful flush of colour on the skin and a subtle sheen that catches the light. Adding radiance and a touch of pink to the face, it's a great way to boost your look from day to night or just provide a little light. Buff over the tops of cheekbones for a more traditional highlight, or gently swipe over cheeks for a flush of pink that works beautifully at this otherwise dull time of year. An investment you'll love for months to come.

St Tropez Instant Tan Gloss (£12.00) 
Want your skin to look beautifully bronzed and healthy but don't have time for a full-on tan? This glossy colour booster can be applied to skin to reflect the light and add a subtle flush of colour, removing the need to spend hours buffing, prepping and applying tan ahead of the party of the year. It's a great one to pop in your bag if you're getting ready for the office party in the loo, or to keep on your dressing table for a last minute touch down the centre of legs and across the décolletage. 

MUA Prism Jelly Highlighter (£5.00) 
You can't go wrong with a trio of highlighters that instantly lift the complexion. The texture of these is nothing like jelly, but the powder is incredibly light and a touch 'bouncy' if that's even a thing! Mixed in with your skincare or base these help to add a subtle radiance to your complexion, or just swipe in the usual places (cheekbones, centre of the nose, under brow arch and cupid's bow) for skin that glows. Plus at a fiver it makes a great stocking filler too!


Paul & Joe Sparkling Foundation Primer (£25.00)  
Renowned for their expertise in priming makeup, Paul & Joe's primers are legendary for a reason: they're lightweight, beautifully formulated, long-lasting and a pleasure to apply, as well as packaged in lust-worthy vintage-inspired bottles. This limited edition number is formulated with added sparkle to add luminosity to skin, while helping makeup to last longer and look more flawless; although the result on the skin is very understated and hardly noticeable when foundation is applied, there's something festive and fun about how it looks! Sometimes that's all you need...

Bobbi Brown Caviar & Rubies Eyeshadow Palette (£55.00) 
The eyeshadow palette of dreams, Bobbi Brown sure know how to do festive collections. This nine piece palette contains beautifully soft and blendable textures that apply very well to the eye, creating soft metallic looks or more striking statement smokey eyes; the combinations provide more than just a seasonal collection, but instead shades you can wear and delight in all year round. My personal faves are the metallic Golden Beige, black-bronze Black Scotch and the navy Deep Sapphire. Get on my eyes already!

Disco Dust (£12.00)  
As if you needed an excuse to literally cover yourself in glitter, Disco Dust's chunky flecks are 100% biodegradable and can be used in a multitude of ways: pop around the eye, create festival inspired face art, apply to the hair line or use within your nail art looks. To keep them in place, just use a touch of Vaseline, secure with a spritz of hairspray or mix with your usual products - have fun and experiment! 


Marc Jacobs Decadence Perfume (£38.25) 
With top notes of Pear, Blackcurrant and Green Ivy, heart notes of Pink Lily of the Valley, Magnolia and Jasmine, plus base notes of White Amber and Raspberry, this is a rich and delicious scent that instantly makes me feel ready for a night out. I adore the little chain that makes it look like a handbag, plus the animal print lid just gives it a touch of something something! Spritz it on and get ready to party like it's 1999 - in a retro cool way, obvs.

Clinique Pop Lip Shadow Cushion Matte Lip Powder (£16.50) 
I'm a big fan of these powder lip formulas, as they provide a buildable and precise hit of colour that lasts all night long - even when you're sipping on a glass or two of prosecco. The foam applicator allows you to create super elegant yet modern finish, while there's no possibility of ruining your bag when the lid comes off (you have to think about these things!) This is super comfortable on the lips and a great alternative to liquid matte lipsticks, making it one of my top picks of the season if you love your lips to do the talking.

Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender & Espresso Hand Therapy (£8.00)  
It's easy to forget your hands, but this time of year they take a serious battering and need a little care and attention. Crabtree & Evelyn offer some of the best hand creams out there, helping to soothe away dryness and protect, but this scent is perfectly suited for the party season; the combination of lavender and espresso helps to calm the mind but stimulate the senses, great to get you in the mood or alleviate your hangover. A great one to pop in your bag or have in your desk drawer. 

Which of my top picks would you love to find wrapped up and waiting for you this festive season?