FEEL FINE IN THE NEW YEAR

First up, clothes are the starting point for every occasion. For the upcoming party season one is spoilt for choice as this year's trends are incredibly fashionable as well as easy to wear. 

Dresses are the outfit of choice for exciting events. Pick dresses in luxurious, decadent materials such as lace, satin, silk and crepe that are perfect for the festive season and instantly add a glam factor. 

In terms of style, short, fitted dresses are trending right now. It could be off-shoulder, strappy or one-shouldered. The fit is paramount; you don't want to wear a dress that's too tight, too short or too loose for you. Choose according to your body shape. 

Buying dresses online is not a good idea; try a few options out in a couple of stores and pick the best one. A little black dress is perfect for most occasion and body types, but jewel tones such as emerald, ruby, amethyst and sapphire are also very stylish when it comes to party wear.

Alternately, metallics such as silver and gold are great options too. A pair of sheer stockings can be paired with the dress. When going for a strapless style, make sure you have a good inner-wear that'll provide necessary support. Jeans and tailored pants can be great as party wear when a stylish blouse is in the mix. 

Sparkling, sequined fabrics make fabulous blouses. Cowl-necks, halter and one-shouldered tops are very stylish and comfortable to wear with pants if you don't want to consider a dress. Accessories are a major part of the festive season wardrobe. Chunky cuffs and cocktail rings are very hot right now, as are oversized necklaces and earrings. Rose gold tone jewellery is very stylish and looks festive. The rule of thumb remains though, choose one accessory to focus on and not all of it together!    

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Shoes are all important if you're going to dance the night away! Heels are a perennial favorite when it comes to parties. For added support and comfort choose a platform heels that are not only easy to wear but are also stylish and trendy. 

Heels with stones, sequins and rhinestones are all the rage and would instantly add to the glamour quotient of your look. If heels are not your cup of tea then go for a pair of fashionable flat shoes. These days flat shoes are just as stylish as heels and they come in a variety of shapes and styles.

Makeup is the next all-important matter that needs major consideration. Often a great outfit goes to waste simply because of ill-thought makeup. For those magical nights of the party season makeup needs a bit of extra sparkle, which is why a good base is mandatory. 

A primer is an essential you don't want to skip as this will hold your makeup nicely as you dance the night away. Choose a lightweight, sheer foundation that will stay put all night and let the natural glow of skin shine through. 

Use a beauty blender or a foundation brush to evenly apply it all over the face. A BB cream is a good option as its lighter than foundation and also stays on much longer. For eyes, sparkling lids in shades of gold and silver are very hot for the parties. 

Alternately, a smoky eye is very appealing too. Try using different shades such as grey, charcoal, navy, deep green instead of regular black. Lashings of mascara will add drama and of course, don't leave the false lashes out! 

This year the lips are having a ball of their own! The traditional red is still going strong; orangey, sweet shades of red are a perennial favourite. However, out of the box shades such as deep chocolate brown, dark berry shades such as plum and cherry are trending very much right now. When worn properly, they look festive and how! Balance is key when it comes to makeup as well; when going for a smoky eye choose a subtle, nude shade for lips and with sparkling lids go for a darker mouth. 

The latest strobing technique is perfect for the holidays; it makes your skin sparkle with mega watt shine! Use a liquid highlighter to emphasise the high points of your face. 

Lastly, don't forget to put on some shimmer powder on your cheeks, collarbones and shoulders to put your best foot forward this party season!     

By Sabrina N Bhuiyan
Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel
Model: Riba, Zamsad
Wardrobe: Armadio
Make-up: Farzana Shakil
Location: Hotel Amari Dhaka
Photoshoot coordinator: Tabassum Anila Hridi