Day-to-night Make-up In 10 Minutes

Picture the scene – it’s nearly 5.30pm on a Friday and you’re running late for after work cocktails with the girls. With just 10 minutes to spare before you head out the door, what can you do to quickly refresh your make-up and inject a bit of glamour into your evening look? Professional make-up artist to the star cast of Powder Room, Claire Carter, reveals her speedy bathroom touch-up tips and make-up essentials.

Smoky Eyes
Eyeliner will make a dramatic difference to your night-out transformation. Use a liquid liner for a sleek flick across the upper lash line or smudge a kohl pencil around the lash line, top and bottom to create a quick smokey effect. Lining the inner rims will make this an even stronger look. Urban Decay’s range covers all colours of the rainbow and has great staying power.

Get Lippy
Quick and easy to apply, lip gloss is a great day-to-night staple. The gloss will reflect even in the dim light of a bar/restaurant and looks instantly glamorous when applied. Use Stay Glossy 3D Lip Gloss in 603 Lights, Camera, Action by Rimmel for a natural peachy sheen.

Mist and Refresh
When you don’t have time to apply a new layer of foundation or tinted moisturiser, why not use a face mist to revive and refresh the make-up you already used that morning? Try the Body Shop’s vitamin E face mist. For oily skin types, you may want to use some blot papers to quickly remove shine – Boots own brand Skin Clear does the job perfectly.

Add a Blush of Colour
Take your look from day to night by adding a pretty blush of colour to your cheeks. A good blusher instantly revives your look and can be applied in a matter of seconds! Opt for a product with light reflective particles which will catch the light perfectly in a dark venue. Bourjois have a great selection, I love 33 Lilas D’or.

Shine a Light
Using a highlighter will add a bit of sparkle to vamp up your daytime make-up for the evening. Apply Topshop’s Glow cream highlighter in Polish along the tops of your cheek and brow bones for an irresistible glow.

Multitask
Any product that has multiple uses is a must when it comes to mastering the day-to-night transition. Look out for compacts with a mirror and cream colours for eyes/cheeks/lips all in one. Smudge and apply with your fingers so you can leave the powder brushes back at home.

Claire Carter was the head makeup artist to the cast of Powder Room during filming. Based on the play When Women Wee, Powder Room is directed by young British director MJ Delaney, and has an all-star British cast including Sheridan Smith (Tower Block, Gavin and Stacey), Jaime Winstone (Kidulthood, Donkey Punch) and BRIT award-winning Kate Nash. Powder Room is released on DVD from 31^st March, 2014.

Miss B

Belinda Wanis, aka Miss B, is a Belle About Town who likes to bring a little bit of style into every aspect of her life. An experienced journalist with over 20 years in the industry she turned to the web, creating Belle About Town in early 2010, to fill a gap for tech-savvy stylish women who want the best life has to offer at their fingertips. She loves a decadent cocktail bar, a beautifully cut dress, cultural getaways, quality over quantity and is partial to Asian-fusion food. A globetrotter, who has lived in Australia, the UK and Denmark, she enjoys holidaying in the sun and you can often find her on a beach in Thailand or on shopping breaks in Sydney or New York. But her first love is, of course, London!

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