Best-case scenario: you've just done a full day's work and have the bare minimum make-up with you in the office. Worst-case scenario: you just about managed to scrub off last night's make-up in the office loo this morning. Welcome to the month of December. Two Irish Times journalists reveal the beauty products they swear by to get them through the party season.
Dominique McMullan, journalist
1 A statement lip distracts from a thousand sins. A blue-toned red like Chanel's Rouge Allure Luminous Satin in Pirate (€35 Debenhams) or a bright orange like Cayenne (€15) from AndOtherStories work a treat.
2 I spritz La Roche Posay Thermal spring water (€4.49) over a freshly or not-so-freshly-painted face for a refreshing boost that leaves my skin dewy – available in most pharmacies.
3 When I'm wearing eyelash extensions, I stop wearing mascara, and most eye make-up, completely. The best place I've found to get them done is Callan & Co in Ballsbridge. They know just the right amount to apply and get them on quickly and professionally.
4 Around this time of year, my skin becomes congested (probably from all the mince pies) – the best mask I've found to treat this is Glamglow's Supermud Clearing Treatment. It's pricey at €45 for 50g (Boots).
5 Lush H'Suan Wen Hua hair moisturiser (€13.50) is made of bananas, olive oil, avocado, bay leaves, watercress, vinegar and a few other mad ingredients. It leaves hair soft and shiny for at least a week – you'll never buy another hair mask.
Perfume picks
1 Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia. It's light, autumnal and warming, develops beautifully throughout the day . The 30ml cologne bottle (€54 Brown Thomas) is small enough to fit in most handbags.
2 Iris Céladon (€210, Brown Thomas) sits within the Armani / Privé collection. For serious perfume aficionados this unisex fragrance with notes of bergamot, musk and iris is where it's at. The bottle alone is a work of art that would sit beautifully on any dressing table.
Deirdre McQuillan, fashion editor
1 Diorskin Star, a light-reflecting foundation that is light, gives good coverage and the shade I use, 010, is as close to my own sallow skin tone as possible. It costs €51 at Brown Thomas and other Dior stockists but lasts for ages. When travelling, I squeeze a little into a small container to avoid having to take the glass bottle. I hardly ever use powder.
2 Flora+Fiona facial oil (€65). This is made by Fiona Hedigan and I use it morning and evening. It contains powerful plant oils like jasmine and vetiver to which nothing has been added. You squeeze three drops into your palms, rub them together, inhale and then apply to the skin. There is also a rollerball travel oil and a new arrival is a body oil. Find the collection in Avoca stores, Granny's Bottom Drawer in Kinsale and online. floraplusfiona.com
3 Touche Éclat by Yves St Laurent (€35, Brown Thomas) is indispensable for concealing tired or panda eyes after a late night. Clinique airbrush concealer (€25) is a slighter cheaper alternative and easy to dab and smooth on.
4 Nail varnish – apart from a range of great colours, the Louboutin bottle is a spectacular presentation with its lethal looking spike – it also makes a good-looking Christmas gift. (€50, Brown Thomas).
5 Eyeshadow – I swear by Nars (€25, Brown Thomas). For nighttime sparkle and shine I use a shimmering dark brown shade, but there is also a yellow shadow for a daytime uplift.
Perfume picks
I love Bataille des Fleurs (called after the Flower Parade in Nice) with its notes of lemon leaf, bergamot, jasmine and cedar from Cloon Keen Atelier in Galway (€80 for eau de parfum). There's a body cream in the same fragrance (€50). www.cloonkeenatelier.com
Le Parfum de Therese by Edmond Roudnitska for Frederic Malle, can be found at Parfumarija in the Westbury Mall, Dublin, a haven for the most wonderful niche fragrances from all over the world (€135).
