Pre-Party Beauty

By Bio Sculpture

Price: From £35

Stockist: Bio Sculpture

Best for: Party-proof nails

Don’t spoil your party perfect look with not-so-neat nails. For a manicure that will last the duration, from the pre-Christmas period and through to New Year, ask for a Bio Sculpture manicure.
Bio Sculpture nail paint is in UV gel form. In between each coat of polish your hands are placed under a UV light to set the gel. After three coats the polish is set, rock-hard and super-resistant with a nice glossy finish. Like acrylic nails – but possibly kinder – it will grow out with your natural nails, rather than chip or flake off.
Depending on the speed at which you nails grow you can expect the manicure to last from two to four weeks. If you like to change your nail colour often, you can even paint over Bio Sculpture nails and when you then remove the colour with non-acetone remover, your Bio Sculpture colour will be unscathed underneath. To remove the gel polish you can either revisit the salon or soak nails in a remover with acetone.

By Hershesons Blow Dry Bar

Price: £24

Stockist: Hershesons Blow Dry Bar

Best for: Off the catwalk hair looks.

If you’re heading to a party where you need to impress then pay Hersheson’s Blow Dry Bar a visit. This is the easiest way to transform your every day hair for one night only, without making drastic changes to your cut or colour. Simply choose from their eight signature hair styles that include something for everyone, from the sexy Wavy Gravy to the backcombed beehive-esque B52, and within half an hour your hair will be party ready. Try the now well established blow-dry bar in the basement of Topshop’s Oxford Street store, or follow in our footsteps and visit the newly opened branch at the Westfield centre in Shepherd’s Bush - a bright and sparkly salon that delivers speedy beauty fixers in luxe surroundings. Here, huge images of the hairstyles on the menu are mounted on the walls, but it’s worth noting that the stylists are flexible – you can discuss what looks will suit your hair-type and personality and the stylists can create a mix of looks or something a bit different to suit your needs. They also sell Clip In Hair Extensions, £22 for a packet of 6, your stylist can cut and fit them while you're there. The extensions can add length, volume or colour to your hair. Your blow-dry can take a little time to settle and to get used to, so make sure you visit the blow-dry bar a couple of hours before you plan to make your entrance at a party. Post party your style should stay put until you wash your hair again.

By Lashes by Sue Marsh

Price: £45

Best for: Something a bit different

Eyelash extensions are one of the most striking looks you can try before a big event and will last longer than the strip lashes you can apply at home. While natural eyelash extensions are the perfect choice for a wedding, for a party you can experiment with ‘couture’ lashes which involves jewels, feathers and coloured individual lashes.
Expert Sue Marsh will advise you on which extensions will suit your face shape, she will also discuss with you what your plans are for the next few days and what colours you usually wear. You can go for something super dramatic, but for a striking yet still sophisticated look, opt for subtle monochrome feathers and a scattering of coloured and natural lashes applied in clusters. The effect is stunning but not overdone. The lashes are also surprisingly comfortable and last up to three days, guaranteeing you party proof lashes for a whole weekend.

By L'Oreal Professionnel

Price: £45

Stockist: L'Oreal Professionnel

Best for: An easy and enjoyable way to get ready.

The idea of heading to one place to have your hair and nails prepped for a party is most people's idea of heaven, not only is it time saving but it means you will get a professional look. At the Trevor Sorbie salon in Brighton (01273 220 007) this is exactly the service on offer in the run up to Christmas. The Party Package includes a blow dry, manicure and a glass of champagne to get you into the party mood. The great thing about the L'Oreal Professionnel blow-dry at Trevor Sorbie is that you don't choose from a structured menu, but instead you have a consultation with the stylist who gives you the options of styles that will suit your hair length, texture and the party you are off to. They follow this up with a manicure using LCN products, you can choose from a selection of four nail colours - red, dark berry, nude and pearlescent - and on the way out you are given a complimentary bottle of the shade you chose to touch up any chips that may occur after a few days.
Various blow-dry packages are available at L'Oreal Professionnel salons nationwide.