Getting Ready For A Night Out

Get ready with me, full glam, for a night out with a step-by-step run down of what I do when I really can be bothered!

A few days to a week before the night

Step 1 - Prep

Face masks: Before baths and showers I'll use some face masks to help make sure my skin is feeling smoooth and hydrated after staying inside for so, so, so long! The Revolution Skincare ones are really fab, I've tried out some of the range with Jake Jamie and I've loved it and have been left feeling fresh! I like to apply face masks with a flat foundation brush (I just got mine from Primark) and leave it on for 15 ish minutes.

Exfoliate: I'll make sure to exfoliate whilst in the bath/ shower too, ready for the fake tan. Soap and Glory make some of my favourite bath/shower products and they smell amazing!! I also use their shower gels, they may be a bit pricier but I think they're so worth it because their scents are strong and they lasts months longer than a £1 shower gel from the supermarket, honestly, this is an investment worth making!

Moisturise: This is a must when getting ready to fake tan so it will apply smoothly! Again, I usually use Soap and Glory's moisturiser because its so thick, but I also love using Vaseline's Cocoa Butter Moisturiser is lighter, which is sometimes best too.

2 days before the night

Step 2 - Still Prepping

Continuing the exfoliating and moisturising, I will also shave a couple days before the night out.


1 day before the night

Step 3 - Time to Tan!

In the evening, probably around 10pm ish I'd have a shower, but not too hot, ideally cold - so pores don't open up. I'll cover myself in a thick layer of moisturiser (Soap and Glory one, not lighter Vaseline). This needs time to soak in before applying tan, wait 20 mins ish for this to soak in.

Now time to tan ... I usually use St Moriz in dark with a tanning mitt, a washable one is best! Remember not to rub it in too hard, just lightly buff the tan onto your body. Sometimes I add a 2nd layer 30 mins after the 1st layer.

Next, the awkward stage whilst your tan starts to soak in and dry, I hate this feeling! Once it's dry I sleep in the tan to allow it to develop. I prefer to apply my tan over night because it makes my skin so itchy so it works best for me this way.

The day of the night out!!!

Step 4 - Wash off the tan and hair washing

The next morning I'll wash my hair and wash the tan off in the shower, again, ideally in a cold/ less hot shower. Here is the shampoo and conditioner I use, it's actually Bed Head but I decanted them into old Soap & Glory bottles for ease!

After this I make sure to moisturise to help preserve the tan and keep my body hydrated. Moisturising is so important to help your tan looking good, do it everyday!

Step 5 - Makeup

I'll put on a fun playlist, have a little get ready with me drink and start my makeup!

1. Moisturiser - 

My favourite face moisturiser is Clean and Clear's dual action moisturiser, its lightweight and I've been using it for years.

2. Eye Primer - 

I use Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer in 'Eden', I've used it for a few years and find that it works really well. I'll also pack on a base layer of powder so my eyeshadow can blend well.

3. Eyeshadow - 

This will depend on what I wear, so if I haven't already already chosen my outfit, now is the time that I will. I have a few different palettes that I'll use depending how I feel. I love the Zoeva brushes though. I also may use glitter if I feel like it too, NYX Glitter is great and Collection's Glitter Eyeliner is super easy to use. I'll also probably apply a bit of black eyeliner to my tightline now.

4. Face Primer - 

I'll do this around 10 mins after moisturiser (in between my eyeshadow probably) to ensure that it's properly soaked into my skin. I use a few different ones, I do like Maybelline's Baby Skin, though, or The Ordinary's Silicone Primer.

5. Foundation - 

I really love L'oreal's Infallible Total Cover ... it does what it says, the coverage is amazing! I apply it with a damp beauty blender. I use Real Techniques. (p.s. I can't find this foundation at the moment, I'm soooo worried it's discontinued!!)

6. Concealer - 

Once my foundation is all blended in, I'll apply the matching concealer on blemishes, red areas and under my eyes (L'oreal Longwear More Than Concealer), honestly it is fab! Revolution's concealer is also really great too! 

7. Eyebrows - 

I use the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in 'Medium Brown'. I'll brush out my eyebrows and apply the product with an angled brush. I'll also finish them off by swiping over some of Maybelline's Brow Drama in 'Medium Brown'.

8. Powder - 

Before other powder products, I'll swipe some of Rimmel's Stay Matte powder over my fave, making sure to carefully press this into my forehead, under my eyes and on my chin. After this, I'll also make sure the eyeshadow that's just under my eyes looks right.

9. Bronzing and Contouring - 

I'll bronze up my face with my favourite bronzer - Hoola by Benefit and use Real Technique's Blush Brush to brush this on. On top of this I'll contour my face, I usually use Sleek's contour.

10. Blush - 

I always always use my Mac 'Sheertone Blush' in the shade 'Pinch Me', it's a lovely natural shade and isn't too bright.

11. Highlight - 

Make it pop!! I love using The Balm's Mary-Lou-manizer, Too Faced 'Blinded By The Light' or Anastasia Nicole Guerriero palette on my cheekbones, nose, cupid's brow, inner corner, below and just above my eyebrows.

12. Lips - 

First I'll line my lips, Mac and Morphe liners are really great! Then I'll most likely use one of Too Faced Melted Lipsticks, honestly, they are the best! I'd highly recommend them, the colours are fab and last all night.

13. Mascara / Lashes - 

I don't usually use lashes anymore out of laziness, but I may do for this occasion, although I was bad enough at putting them on before, but now it'll have been soooooo long!! Apply the glue, wait 45 seconds, apply it to the lash line, sound easy right?!?My fave mascara though is Benefit's Roller Lash, I always buy the mini versions because mascara is supposed to only be used for 3-6 months or something ... oops, we're all guilty I'm sure.

14. Setting Spray -

DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP!! I swear it makes sooo much difference! I always always use Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray

Step 6 - Hair

I'll probably curl it if I'm feeling fancy, I really like the Mark Hill curlers which have an interchangeable wand. Another hairstyle I like for nights out is doing half up - half down french/dutch plaits, it looks neat and keeps my hair out of my face so I'm not touching it every couple of seconds.

Step 7 - Last minute touches!

Finally time to get my outfit on, put on some deodorant, perfume, a bit of jewellery maybe too; pack my bag; put on my shoes and I'll be out the door!!

Love, Ailsa xxx