Our special-occasion beauty guide: skincare, makeup and fragrance

A big date in the diary calls for a more dialled-up look than everyday makeup. Whether you are heading to a wedding, a day at the races or a black-tie do, we’ve rounded up the ultimate expert-approved products that make it easy and fun to get that little bit more glam.

Special events can go on a bit – often all-day occasions roll on late into the night – so chances are you’ll need a long-lasting base. Estée Lauder's global best-selling Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation offers full-coverage and a matte finish. Meanwhile Bobbi Brown’s Weightless Skin Foundation promises up to 16 hours of flawless skin. Build up the transfer-resistant formula in layers, rather than applying a heavy amount all at once, for the most natural and photo-ready look. 

To make sure you only shine in the right places, apply Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder around your nose, chin and forehead for a matte finish. Give your base an hour to settle in before you have to leave so you can see if it needs any touching up. And, if you’ve never tried a setting spray before, one spritz of Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and you’ll never look back. Helping to guard against makeup creasing, you can enjoy an A-list finish.

It’s time to bring some life to your look with blusher or bronzer. Softly accentuating your features could not be easier with Giorgio Armani Cheek Tint’s foolproof cream formula. Prefer a powder? YSL’s new Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush is waterproof, sweat-proof and has a delicious buttery texture. Alternatively the univerally flattering shades in the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Palette blend beautifully to make you look like the healthiest version of yourself. 

An evening event is the perfect time to use highlighter, even if it’s not part of your usual routine. Beauty wonder-buy Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere Highlighter is great for newbies; simply swipe it on the high points of cheekbones, under the brow bone and along the bridge of the nose, then enjoy the flattering magic of your glowing complexion in the twinkly lights after dark.

When it comes to eye colour, you can’t go wrong starting with one of Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick shades. This cream won’t crease or crack, even after hours on the dancefloor. Swipe matte-black eyeliner along the upper lash line, winging slightly up at the side to lift the eye; we love the perfect smudgy finish of the Sculpted By Aimee Brighten & Define Eyeliner Duo. Finish with high-intensity volumising Armani Vertigo Lift Mascara to give you lashes for days, before enhancing brow definition with Clinique’s foolproof Quickliner for Eyes pencil.

Whether you’re going for barely-there or a statement lipstick, Sculpted by Aimee Lip Duo Nude is a genius product. It comes in 11 shades, and is double-ended – one offers an easy-to-feather colour, the other a slightly darker lip liner for pout perfection.

Lipstick lover? Charlotte Tilbury's Look of Love Lipstick in shade Wedding Belles is universally flattering and has a super hydrating formula – plus we love the luxurious packaging.

If you’re after a bit more late-night impact, YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss provides high shine while feeling comfortably lightweight, plus it’s low maintenance to reapply throughout the event. Meanwhile Clinique's viral 'Almost Lipstick' is the perfect hybrid – not quite lipstick, not quite gloss. It's more like a brilliant balm you can layer. 

Book an appointment at a John Lewis in-store nail bar to give your hands and feet the VIP treatment ahead of your special occasion. Choose from everything from express manicures to luxury pedicures to polish off your look. The last step before heading out to your event is to add a few sprays of your signature scent – read here if you fancy a new summer fragrance. Now, consider yourself special-occasion ready.