EVERYTHING you need to turn up the glamour a notch or two over the festive season is in your make-up bag.

For some shortcuts to dazzling party looks, you don't have to invest bags of time or money to look a million dollars.

According to a survey by Lambrini, two-fifths of women spend up to two hours preening before a big festive night. But there are cracking shortcuts if you play up your best feature, whether it's tinsel-inspired eyes or Santa-red lips.

Give yourself the gift of glam this party season. If your pout is your party showpiece, look to matte, red lips that take mistletoe kisses and canapes in their stride. Blot your lips and reapply colour to make it last longer. Take the shade up a notch with a gloss in the same colour as lipstick, or pop a metallic gloss just to the centre of your pout to give lips an instant plumping boost.

Like Christmas pudding on December 25, metallic and glitter eyes are a tradition. Play up molten metallic eyeshadow by making it the focus of your look and toning down blush and lips.

"To nail the metallic trend, use two shimmering shades," advises Una Tynan, founder of Blank Canvas Brushes.

"Sweep a deeper metallic shadow on the lids, blending into the socket line and stay below the brow bones to create a halo effect on lids. Apply a lighter metallic shadow on the inner corners to complete the look."

For extra razzle dazzle, adorn eyes with a sweep of sparkling eyeliner as a finishing touch.

Strategically placed highlighter can lift cheekbones to rival supermodel Kate Moss.

Make-up artist Rae Morris says: "The golden rule of highlighting is that the colour you choose must be the same as your skin tone or lighter, and must always have a shiny or shimmery finish."

Use a gold metallic cream or pencil in the inner corners of your eye, under brows and on cheekbones to illuminate your face under the disco ball.

Fluttery false eyelashes are ideal if you want an instant glam transformation. Think showgirl eyes, with dazzling accents of bold colour.

"Popping on a pair of false lashes can instantly transform tired eyes and make them look brighter and sexier," says Amanda Elias, facial therapist and Bravura London founder.

"If you've never applied lashes then practise, practise, practise - five minutes before you are due to leave the house is not the time to try false eyelashes for the first time."

Aim for the best dressed hands on the dancefloor. Forget your party shoes and clutch, matching colours is big in beauty too.

"Matching your lipstick to your nail lacquer is a hot make-up trend," says Pat McGrath, Dolce & Gabbana creative adviser. "Jewel-like colours are a perfect complement to any Christmas or New Year outfit, just like jewellery."

A top coat of shimmering gold glitter polish is perfect for the ultimate festive mani.

Ditch the mono-chromatics and take your eyes up a notch with a show-stopping colour; the perfect accessory for a LBD.

"Swap the traditional take on the grey smoky eye with a sultry yet subtle blend of purple and blue," Kay Montano, make-up artist for M&S Beauty. "These shades really enhance the colour of the iris so play with different shades this party season."

For a subtle look, avoid an eyelid wash and try a fine line close to the lash line or concentrate your party piece colour on the inner corners of the eye.