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How to get the perfect look this Christmas

So you’ve opened your 8th chocolate on the advent calendar and the countdown to the party season begins. Have you just remembered you have that annual work party where you have to look your hottest? Don’t fret! Cosmo is here to help you get the party started this Christmas, with top tips to make sure you’re looking your best throughout December and ensuring you don’t get lost in the run up to Christmas amongst all the sparkle on the high-street.

There are so many hot trends this season that the high-street is practically crawling with perfect party pieces but which will you go for this year? If you’re looking for edgy glam then shimmer with metallic; River Island has a varied selection of pieces from silver cut-out maxis, gold peep-toe wedges and bronze shift dresses. This season is about sparkle, and the more sparkle the better! Topshop’s collection of eye-grabbing pieces is sure to get you noticed this season with gold backless sequin dresses, daring sequin hot-pants in shades of berry and deep sapphire, beaded blouses and embellished playsuits. Finish off the look with some sequin-encrusted platforms for the all over glitter look. Alternatively, bring some 40s glamour to any outfit with lace and sheer and with Stella McCartney’s show-stopping gauzy polka dot dress that’s been sprawled all over fashion magazines, you can now emulate it from the high-street. Miss Selfridge has some fabulous LBDs with a vintage edge like their black lacy bodycon dress and their black peter-pan collar dress, much like those seen on our style icon Alexa Chung.

Alternatively, if you’re not really a dress kind of girl, there are still many options out there for you, and one trend that seems to be as popular as ever are leather trousers. You can find a great pair of faux leather trousers at Asos for under £50; they range from high-waisted black skinnys to red ankle grazers if you are feeling adventurous. Laura Mellor, Topshop’s buying assistant for the ‘Dress up’ range advised: ‘Have fun with your outfit, dress up and don’t be afraid of some sparkle!’.

You have your outfit but you need to look picture perfect so you’re not cringing at the awful photos of you when they are uploaded onto Facebook the next day. The last thing you want is to have to photo-shop the pictures because you skin looks too shiny or your foundation looks caked on. Ruby Hammer, co-founder of Ruby and Millie make-up advises using matte foundation like MAC’s ‘Mineralize SatinFinish’ which has light-reflecting properties and reduces shine, making this product a hot favourite for those who want flawless skin in an instant.

Every girl loves the smoky eye look, so add a metallic grey or brown eye shadow to be bang on trend. Too much partying and late nights with too little sleep affects the brightness and clarity of your eyes, so disguise puffiness and dark circles with concealer, go for a yellow

Elle Sixsmith

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How to get the perfect look this Christmas

toned one lighter than your foundation. Multi-award winner YSL Touche Éclat will brighten your eyes and cover any unwanted shadows. If you want to go for a bold statement look for stand out eyes and use gems to accentuate your best feature. Put these just above your eye lashes in the corner of your eyes and add eye liner for full on impact. You can get these gems in a variety of colours from Superdrug and Boots stores, ranging from £4 to £10. If you want statement lashes then fake eye lashes are your best bet, but with so many on the market it’s so difficult to choose the perfect set for you. The girls at Cosmo recommend the Girl’s Aloud fake lashes range which work to enhance and flatter your eyes. “ I always use Nicole’s false lashes on a night out as they are the most natural looking in the collection but still provide you with that extra length and volume every girl craves!”, reveals Sophie Long, Cosmo’s assistant beauty editor.

Focus on either statement eyes or bold lips. If you choose lips then go for red lips for instant sex appeal. Pillar- box red is a time-less look and can even make your teeth look whiter. Team with bold brows and minimal eyes for the perfect Hollywood pout. Deep berry reds suit even the palest of skins and are for perfect for sultry vampy look this Christmas. Lastly no look is complete without lashings of mascara, so get those peepers popping with L’Oreal Telescopic which was recently voted best mascara of 2011 in Cosmo.

If you dream of fabulously shiny and voluminous party hair, then the secret is healthy nourished locks. Moroccan oil is a favourite amongst A listers as it locks in moisture and works wonders for dry, frizzy hair, but L’Oreal do a cheaper version called ‘ Mythic Oil’ which is just as good. Vintage hair styles were all over the catwalk this A/W from 20s to 40s and since the film ‘My Week with Marilyn’ was released, vintage hair styles are on trend. This style works for all hair lengths from pinned curls on bobs and mid-hair to tumbling waves on longer locks. All you need is plenty of pins and rollers for big waves and quiffs. If you prefer to look like a classic party girl, go to ‘Big Hair’ then back comb it for extra height and volume. Keep it together with L’Oreal ‘Elnett Diamond Hold’ which is guaranteed to make your style last all night long. If you prefer to opt for an up do, hair accessories are the perfect way to glam up any look and keep it Christmassy. Whether you want to go for subtle glamour, add a little sparkle with a metallic headband or go retro with a netted head piece.

Pull out all the stops to look fabulously festive this season with Cosmos hints and tips and let’s be honest If you can’t make a statement this Christmas, when can you?

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Elle Sixsmith