It can’t be just me who notices that the last four months of the year becomes party season. The cold air and the shopping sales give it away so easily.

September is the start of the fast-paced run-up to Christmas, laced with parties. Our regular routines are disrupted with the usual holidays like Halloween but also by personal occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and out-of-town getaways, to name a few. As I’m writing this, I’m struggling to pin down a night out between hosting my house party while one of my friends will be attending his grandmom’s 90th bash.

On top of that, I’ve gone to a baby shower where the thought of going to Taiwan in October popped up. My boss is planning a few trips for herself as well, including possible teambuilding abroad.

All of this merit to re-up your makeup. My regular brown eyeshadow and eyeliner look which I pull off for an every day work look needs to be switched out for something more fun, suited to where I am. The dance party is the best time to pull off a bold lip. Glitter is needed at some point too. For all-day festivities, it’s time to turn to long-wearing formulations. Skincare needs a bit of an upgrade, something which can help your skin recover from long nights.

If you’re gearing up with new shoes and outfits for the season, don’t forget these makeup and skincare picks.

Drunk Elephant The Littles Kit

I’m a big believer that the best makeup look starts with good skin. Drunk Elephant’s The Littles Kit is the best way to find the best combination to address your skin concerns among the trending brand’s products.

In a cute pouch, you get the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser and the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. There are also three different serums: T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, and the C-Firma Day Serum. To top it off there is the C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, and Protini Polypeptide Cream, and the Umbra TinteTM Physical Daily Defense SPF 30. It’s a good kit to bring on your travels these next few months.

Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer

Good skin doesn’t happen overnight. And when going for all-nighters, dark circles and spots make appearances. You need a reliable concealer. Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer is full coverage but has just the right liquid consistency that makes it easy to blend and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It works well under the eyes and also for small blemishes around the skin. Once set with a layer of powder and it won’t budge.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eye Shadow Palette

You don’t need to be a makeup expert to be able to create a variety of makeup looks with this palette. No color is too intimidating as the color story can take you from day to night.

Morning celebrations are when you can play around the matte shades like Dusty Rose (dusty lilac), Burnt Orange (deep orange), and Rustic ( deep cinnamon brown). As you change it up to stilettos, you can add on the glittery Rose Pink (rose gold), Sultry (satin metallic finish warm chocolate brown), and Fairy (multi-dimensional light gold). Smoke it out with deep red Mulberry, Cyprus Umber (dark coffee), and Noir (carbon black).

Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipstick

This is the season to splurge on Pat McGrath lipstick. This line in the brand offers 28 different shades from nudes to dark reds. You can get one that will be your signature shade. But you can also get a few that can see you through different moods until the year end.

The unique hydrating yet powder matte formula means you can go for wild colors like the lavender Faux Pas or the deep wine Full Blooded without worrying about it flaking off or sinking into your lip lines.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

When I first tried out this product, I was hesitant as I’m used to pencil brow products. It runs out that with the right slanted brush and a spooli (like the brand’s Brush 12), you will be able to get full brows which last for hours.

The trick is not to apply the product to your brows right after you dipped the brush into the pot. Work the product on the back on your hand first and then do some practice strokes until you get the right intensity and thin line. Fill in your brows in sections and keep brushing with the spooli to keep your brows looking feathery and natural.

Zoeva Caramel Melange Highlighter Duo

I’m a such a huge highlighter fan, trying out every other variant I can get my hands on.

Currently, I’ve been using this duo from Zoeva. They work well with my morena skin tone “Everything Is Coated,” which offers a pink switch while the golden “Tasting Experience” can be anything. Tip: Layer the both of them for a different twist and extra glow.

Fenty Beauty Body Lava in Brown Sugar

Speaking of highlighter, I got a little too excited when I finally got a bottle of Body Lava.

Contrary to my initial assumptions, this body highlighter isn’t sticky. It goes on to the skin smoothly, leaving it with a glistening effect that looks good on tanned skin. I like spreading it on my arms, collarbones, and decolletage with a big, dense kabuki brush so the pigment goe

so evenly. You’ll love this on your beach soirees or when you’re in a cocktail dress. The luminizer also leave a light vanilla scent on your skin, so you’re always ready to go.

Sephora Collection Lip Scrub in Kiwi

Good skincare, especially when you get busy, should include lip care. Lipstick goes on smoother on exfoliated and soft lips. Aside from using a good lip balm just on its own or underneath lipstick, do a lip scrub.

The Sephora Collection Lip Scrub comes in a classic tube packaging, so it stays clean after every use. Swipe on your lips, let it settle, maybe do your toner while your lips absorb the moisturizing properties and then rinse.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

As I mentioned, now is when you can start amping up your makeup look. To heighten the effect of blushes, try this product from Hourglass.

The Ambient Lighting Blush looks good in the pan with its marbleized effect but even better on the skin. The blend of finely milled powder brings a different glow to your skin: it’s not apparent when you put it on as it shines when the lights hit it. It amplifies the glow from within effect rather than making you look oily.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

When it comes to extending the life of your makeup, I swear by a good setting spray. After you’re finished with your makeup routine, spray the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray on and let it dry before heading out. It reduces the powdery look of your makeup and makes it settle into the skin nicely.

It also reduces the need to retouch your makeup, including mascara and liner.