The need to look great in a hurry is amplified during December when theres three times as many parties and your to-do list is four times as long. Lucky then that ELLE has rounded up six pre-party treatments that will leave you looking fabulous whether you have 10 minutes or an hour. So if its 5.30pm, theres a party at 7pm, you have flat hair and youre still at your desk, its simply not a problem.
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10 minutes...to a smart manicure There’s not many things you can do in ten minutes, but with Filthy Gorgeous’ super quick paint job, getting your nails done is now one of them. The chill in the air will dry the polish in the time it takes you to get from the manicure chair to the bar and ‘done’ nails say big effort, even though you’ll have invested less time than it takes to choose which shoes to wear. Nail-over for hands, £10 for 10 minutes, by Filthy Gorgeous at Debenhams
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20 minutes...to the perfect red lip It’s a key party look, but executing a red lip at your desk with a tiny handbag mirror is not an ideal scenario. Better pop along to a Bobbi Brown counter instead, where its always-amazing artists will get you looking like a femme fatale and give you a quick lesson in how to recreate the look. Mini lesson, complimentary, 20 minutes, by Bobbi Brown
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30 minutes...to a tan tonight You want to be bronzed but the party’s tonight and there’s no time for the whole sleep then shower debacle. Lucky then, that Sienna X’s new speedy tan takes only two hours to develop – so you can spend that time getting ready, and then walk out the door, suitably bronzed. Express Tan, from £20 for 30 minutes, by Sienna X
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40 minutes...to red carpet hair If there’s one thing that’s going to let down a well-chosen LBD it’s a flat blow-dry. So book in for a speedy ‘do: inspired by Angelina Jolie, this half-up half-down look is perfect for when you want to look like you did your own hair, but really, really well. The Tinsel-Town Tease, from £23 for 30-45 minutes, at Headmasters
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50 minutes...to fluttery lashes If you can spare up to an hour you can get real glamour factor with a set of long thick lash enhancements. It’s time well spent as they’ll last two weeks and nothing else will make you feel so pretty, so quickly. Classic lashes, £60 for up to 60 minutes, by Blink
60 minutes...to a total makeover When there’s no time to go home at all but you need a bit more than a hasty zscush in the office toilets, look to Clarins. Its Cinderella Hour includes a cleanse, a full body exfoliation, a shower, application of body lotion, professional make-up job and use of its treatment room for your quick-change – topped off with a glass of champagne. I can’t think of many better ways to start an evening out. Clarins Cinderella hour, £45 for 60 minutes at Selfridges, London