To avoid nasty surprises and spoiling your evening, refrain from applying self-tanning cream, trying new makeup or doing your nails at the last minute. Here are a few alternative solutions.
Tanning – Never apply self-tanning cream the night before or a few hours before going out. As the effect can last from 4 to 6 days, you should always test the product a week in advance to see if it’s the right colour for you. To avoid blunders, don’t use self-tanners, especially if you’re in a rush. Instead try Instant Tan Gel Face & Body Without Self-Tanning by Jean D’Estrées to moisturize your skin while giving it a nice instant tan. Plus, it’s easy to remove with soap and water. Just remember to wash your hands well after using it and to let it dry completely before getting dressed so as to avoid staining your clothes.
Avoid false starts with false lashes – If you’ve never worn false lashes before, you should try them out a few days ahead of time, to make sure they’re glued on properly and that you don’t lose them during the course of the evening. To ensure you’ve applied them properly and that they’re comfortable, wear them for a full day before. First, you will need to make sure that they’re not too wide for your eye and trim them accordingly. Then apply glue to the base of the eyelash strip and wait a few seconds before positioning it as close as possible to your lash line, starting from the middle and pressing the ends down firmly. Let it dry for a minute before applying mascara and eyeliner.
StudioMakeUp has many models to choose from—from very fine to super thick.
Nail no-no – Doing your nails at the last minute is another big no-no. Ideally, you should do them the night before to avoid smudging and give them ample time to dry before your outing. You can however always touch-up your nail contour using a Personnelle brand nail contour crayon to remove smudges.
Don’t overdo it – Though the holidays are a great time to go all out, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow certain rules. For example, if you go for a smoky-eye effect, then you should tone down your lips, while a doe-eye effect can be worn with a bold shade of lipstick. Also, restrain your use of glitter. In fact, forget it altogether if you’re wearing anything sequined. Moderation is the word!
Use a good quality, hydrating shampoo. Gently massage into hair and rinse off with warm water. For untangling and smoothing your hair, finish off with a hydrating conditioner. For dry, damaged hair, try Vichy’s Nourishing and Reparative Conditioner—it restores shine and softness. 
Tame those stray strands by smoothing hair with a serum. Apply a dab of PhytoKératine Ultra-Glossing Finishing Serum onto clean, towel-dried hair, or even on dry, styled hair to smooth out static. Don’t leave home without it—the 50 ml bottle fits perfectly in any purse, so you can always be ready to fight static! 
Protect your hair against humidity and get rid of static in one fell swoop with a spritz of hairspray. Try L’Oréal’s Elnett Extra Strong Hold Satin Hairspray—it’s strong enough to protect and light enough to disappear at the stroke of a brush. 
During the cold season, skin reddens and dries up as soon as we step foot outside. The first must-have is a good hydrating cream enriched with SPF (yes, even in the winter!). Next, for a smooth complexion, use long-lasting makeup, and to help absorb excess oil, opt for a compact powder. Some top picks include, Lise Watier’s Mineral Compact Powder specially formulated with tourmaline, vitamins A and E and camomile extract for a velvety, natural finish, or Marcelle’s Quad Pressed Powder, perfect for evening out your skin tone and sculpting and defining your features thanks to its four handy shades. 
