Going from desk to dance floor this party season? Here are your handbag essentials

The festive season is a flurry of seasonal get-togethers, so we’ve created a guide to the best products to help you achieve an effortless day-to-night transformation. 

The work Christmas party, the catch-up drinks with someone you haven’t seen in ages, the night out with your best friends – the evenings in December quickly start to fill up. This often means that you’re going straight from work, and it can be tricky to nail your desired glamorous make-up look with limited kit.

However, a few essentials will serve you well, so we’ve made a list of our favourites, as well as our top must-have product.

The hardworking palette

Rather than throwing various items from your make-up bag into your handbag, only to open it later to find you’ve forgotten something essential, a good palette ensures you have everything you need to hand, no stress involved. Ideally you want one that includes eye shadow shades – nudes are always a winner whatever the occasion – and blush tones for your cheeks. An all-in-one palette that will work hard for you night out on the town.

A bold lipstick 

Honestly, even if you didn’t reapply any make-up since your 8am top-up, a bold lip will instantly make you look ‘done up’. Our favourite at IMAGE HQ to stand out from the crowd is a deep red, and what’s more festive that a red lip? Just watch out for the mistletoe…

Face powder 

A neat compact that will slip into your handbag is essential for a glam night out on the town. Get one that includes a powder puff to save even more room! You’ll thank us when you don’t have a shiny face in those late-night Instagrams.

WaterWipes 

Finally, our ultimate day to night make-up product has to be Irish brand WaterWipes facial wipes. Whether you want to refresh your skin after a day in a stuffy office, correct any smudges when you’re applying lipstick, or to take off your eyeshadow to start again with a bolder look, keeping a packet in your handbag or your desk drawer is always a great idea.

These wipes are also perfect for when you get home, gently removing make-up and impurities with all-natural ingredients, leaving even sensitive skin cleansed without irritation.

With no alcohol, fragrances or preservatives, and just three ingredients: 99.9% water, grapefruit seed extract and dead sea minerals, these wipes are exceptionally gentle on the most sensitive skin. All WaterWipes water undergoes seven stages of purification resulting in an ultra-pure solution. This patented purifying technology results in a unique product that effectively cleanses the skin, without the need for several additional cleansing ingredients. The wipes instantly cleanse and hydrate, with no sting and zero residue.

WaterWipes will also have a fully biodegradable solution in 2020, having gone through a process to ensure that the pureness of the product is not compromised. As with all wipes, biodegradable or not, it is important not to flush them after use, and to dispose correctly as part of your normal household waste.

Read more: 5 luxury gifts for the beauty lover who has everything

Read more: WATCH: Get this Christmas party make-up look created by top artist Sue Brophy

Read more: How she does it: Carol Byrne’s party-prep beauty tips