Prepping For A Black Tie Event

I went to the Wimbledon Ball and it was my first proper black tie event since my high school formal. I did it on the cheap then and after shelling out for Wimbledon Ball ticket and dress hire, I tried to save my pennies for everything else. 

The Make Up and Nails:

I finally put my makeup and hoard of skincare products to use. Even the weird, practically useless lip Modelling Gel Pack I bought from Korea.

On the day I went in the steam room at my gym, did a hair treatment, and for my face, used microdermabrasion cream and Elemis Papaya Enzyme peel. I painted my finger and toenails with Nails Inc Alexa Cashmere. It's quick to dry and forgiving for smudges because it has a textured matt finish. 

I used Smashbox's primer for makeup longevity and for my eyeshadow I used a taupe and dark brown from my Sleek palette. I had no idea how well they work together until now! I contoured my face with the Sleek Contouring kit and put on super cheap fake eyelashes from Primark as below. It's easy to put fake lashes on once you trim them 3-4 mm shorter than you're actual lash line and wait for the glue to get gummy before sticking them on. The lashes are good value, weightless although they were over the top looking. I probably should have chosen the Natural look lashes. I also bought Seventeen's Falsifeye HD mascara in case the lashes failed.

The Accessories:

Cheap gold earrings from Primark as below, my already owned YSL Arty ring (as the blue matches my dress), and vintage watch from Favre Leuba.  I bought a jewelled hair band from Primark reduced to £1 but it wasn't worn on the night. I carried my little Miu Miu bag instead of buying a new clutch purse.

The Dress:

Dress hire cost more than the ticket to the ball. I left it to the last minute to find a dress and didn't have the space to store a fancy dress so I hired. I picked this short dress which was £150. It complements my short frame and makes a statement so I'm pleased with it.

The Hair:

The only thing I can't do with my hair is create a pouf so I had to get a half up-do at the hairdresser. Fortunately there was a half price discount at a salon which recently opened near me so the cost was only £20. Probably just as well I didn't pay full price because my curls dropped flat as soon as I walked out! By the end of the night my lengths had straightened which is a shame considering how much heat my hair endured from GHD use. The hairdresser did something creative at the end of the pouf but I can't really tell what. The pouf held up well throughout the night.

 The Shoes:

Were bought from Amazon Prime for £23. I was looking for satin slingbacks with a platform for comfort and a leg lengthening effect. Satin is fantastic for shoes because you can get away with buying cheap shoes but they don't look it.

Side view of my dress.

My hair has never been so tall before! All thanks to teasing, hairspray and bobby pins.