Makeup Looks For Special Occasions

Going to soirees means dressing up, and most people like to amp up their usual day-to-day makeup when going to a party. Here are some great ideas that you can use to break out of that "mascara and lip tint" mold and create a great, original party look.

Rock N' Roll
Want edgy, heavy-metal eyes? Choose a cream eye shadow in a lighter, metallic colour-tone, and use your ring finger (that's the weakest finger on your hand, and therefore the one that will be less rough on your delicate eye skin) to apply the shade from your lash line to your brow bone. Smudge the shadow along your lower lid as well to get an edgy, smokey-eye look, and make sure you connect the colour on the inside of your eye together with the top and bottom lids. Then, trace black eyeliner along the outer halves of both your upper and lower lashlines, and connect them with a sharp "V" shape at each end of your eye. Using a Q-Tip or cotton swab, smudge the liner everywhere except at the two points in the corners of your eye. Always apply two coats of black mascara to finish off your looks. You're now ready to party like a rockstar, or at least look like you can.

Inspired by Twiggy
Recreate Twiggy's great heavy-lined cat-eyes with a felt-tip liquid eyeliner. Start the look off by dotting a small dab of eyeliner just past the outer corner of your eye to give an idea of where you want the end of your flick to come. Then, connect that dab with the edge of your lash line and use smooth, but short, strokes while you trace along the edge of your lash line until your reach the inner corner. Go over your eyeliner with a black powder, using an angular brush, to ensure your line stays in place. Finish off the look with black mascara on the top lashes, rosy blush and a nude, or light pink lipstick. So feminine!

Vamp
Try a wine-coloured lip for a hot party look. To prevent your colour from bleeding, trace the line of your lips with a nude lipliner before applying the bold colour. Opt for a satin-finished lipstick and layer on a clear gloss for extra shine, as matte lipsticks in such dark colours tend to make the lips appear smaller - and no girl wants that! Let your lips stand out with this makeup look; finish it off with great skin (use a primer before your foundation) and brush your brows up on an angle.

Vixen
Try a classic red lip when you're attending a fancy soiree. Make sure you choose a shade that compliments your skin tone - cherry red for cool skin tones, brick red for warm skin tones. Start the look off by applying a clear lip primer to keep your lipstick from bleeding later on. Then apply your shade, and follow it with a matching lipliner, which you will lightly trace along the edges. Remember to keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Simply applying a black eyeliner and mascara will keep you from looking overdone... and keep you looking hot!

Smokin' Hot
Try a new approach to the general smokey-eye by mixing in metallic hints, like copper and gold. Start by blending black eyeshadow across your top eyelid, brushing it slightly beyond the crease, and be sure to smudge the colour to avoid harsh lines - something that is foreign to a great smokey-eye. Apply a copper shade along your bottom lid, and dab gold hues into the inner corners of your eyes to brighten them. Line black eyeliner on both your top and bottom inner lashlines and apply two coats of black mascara. Finish the look off with very light blush, just enough to highlight your cheekbones, and nude lips.

Whatever makeup look you choose for your "party face" always have a great brow to frame your creation. If you don't have naturally bold arches, simply fill them in with a brow pencil, applying it in short strokes to avoid the dreaded "drawn-on" brows, and follow the natural growth direction of your hair. If they still aren't quite full enough, layer a colour-matching powder on top, using an angled brush. Also, adding a light pink flush to any makeup look will instantly give you that desired, girly sweetness. Try practicing your look before the big night and always remember to have fun with your makeup - You're a work of art!