Party Pretty: Hair & Makeup Looks For Every Bash

Shine through the holiday party season with these top 5 looks for your top 5 occasions.

FORMAL EVENT (Makeup)
This is the time that you’ll be busting out your fanciest dress and your man may even don a tux. “You want to look sophisticated and polished,” says Sarah Lucero, global director of artistry for Stila. Start with an elegant eye contoured in the crease with a beige shadow and follow up with a subtle brown liner and black mascara. “A deep maroon or merlot lip is very hot this season and it allows you to drink red wine without having to worry about staining your lips or ruining your lipstick,” she says. A sheer layer of that lipstick on your cheeks will complete the look.

FLARE picks: Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Bone, $26, at Holt Renfrew and Murale. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes in Dark Chocolate, $20, at department stores. YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking, $36, at Holt Renfrew. Nars Lipstick in Viridiana, $30, sephora.com.

FORMAL EVENT (Hair)
Harry Josh, John Frieda international creative consultant, suggests a high ponytail with some body. Start by washing and conditioning hair with a volumizing formula and applying a thermal protection serum. Use a curl-activating product to add extra movement to hair and blow dry at the root until it is 80 percent dry. Create pin curls by dividing hair into two-inch sections, wrapping it around your fingers and securing with a bobby pin. Finish drying hair with a diffuser. Once dry, gently shake out your curls and pull hair into a high ponytail. Finish with a glossing mist.

FLARE picks: Ojon Volume Advance Volumizing Shampoo, $25, and Conditioner, $26, sephora.com. TreSemmé Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray, $6, at mass retailers. John Frieda Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist, $11, at drugstores.

CASUAL PARTY (Makeup)
This event is considerably more laid back, so don’t get too fussy about your look. “You’ll probably opt for jeans and a sequined tank for this party, so go for an equally youthful makeup look,” Lucero says. She suggests a smoky eye using shades of brown and bronze, which are universally flattering and will look good in any impromptu photo ops. Keep lips neutral so you won’t have to fret about touching up lipstick between bites of food and swigs of wine, and go for a natural looking cream blush. “You’ll always look made up, but fresh, for any of those pics that land up on Facebook,” she says.

FLARE picks: Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow #128 in Copper Fawn, $22, sephora.com. Dior Addct Lipstick in Beige Casual, $31, at department stores. Stila Convertible Colour in Peony, $33, at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques

CASUAL PARTY (Hair)
Your hair should be as casual as the party, Josh says, so go for easy, loose waves. Start by using a curl enhancing shampoo and conditioner then prep hair with a product to keep frizz at bay. Blow dry hair in sections using a round brush. Once dry, section hair and use a curling iron to create easy, sexy waves; for a more tousled look, curl hair in different directions. Finish by gently running fingers through the curls to break them up.

FLARE picks: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Defining Shampoo and Frizz Sealing Conditioner, $10 each, at Shoppers Drug Mart. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum, $15, at drugstores.

OFFICE FÊTE (Hair)
Josh says to keep your hair looking polished and professional with a sleek blowout. After washing and conditioning hair with a hydrating shampoo, protect it with a thermal hair serum. Divide hair into sections and blow dry using a two-inch round natural bristle brush, “which will help reduce frizz,” he says. Once dry, part hair down the centre and run a flat iron through each section. Finish with a shine spray.

FLARE picks: John Frieda Smooth Start Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, $11 each, at drugstores. Kératase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Leave-In Nourishing Heat Protectant, $41, keratase.com. Herbal Essences Set Me Up Hairspray, $4, at mass retailers.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH (Hair)
“A messy bun will help to enhance a modern and chic look,” Josh says. Apply a mousse to dry hair and run through using your fingers — by using your fingers to separate hair instead of a brush it will help to create texture. Pull hair into a low ponytail. Spritz a repairing mist on your ponytail to ensure ends look healthy and shiny. Wrap into a bun leaving the tips of the hair to fan out in a fringe.

FLARE picks: Pantene Pro-V Flowing Body Mousse, $6, at mass retailers. John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist, $15, at drugstores.

INTIMATE DINNER (Makeup)
“When you’re sitting across the table from your sweetheart, you want your skin to look like it’s being illuminated by candlelight,” Lucero says. Create a soft focus look by using a sheer tinted moisturizer followed by an illuminating powder foundation. “This will make you look flawless and youthful,” she says. As for the rest of your look, think natural Parisian chic. Play up eyes with a neutral champagne shadow with a bronze liner and mascara applied to both top and bottom lashes. Finish with a cherry red stain on lips and cheeks, and fill in eyebrows for a groomed look. “Healthy strong brows denote youth,” Lucero says.

FLARE picks: Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15, $55, dermalogica.com. Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion, $28, sephora.com. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Colour, $27, at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques.

INTIMATE DINNER (Hair)
Play up your Parisian look with a gamine topknot, Josh says. Run a shine serum with frizz sealing properties through hair and pull into a high ponytail. Secure with a clear hair elastic. Twist ponytail into a bun and pile on top of your head. Fasten with bobby pins. Pull out a few strands of hair around your temples for a slightly disheveled look.

FLARE pick: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum, $6, at drugstores.