Welcome to the year of the Tiger. February 1 officially marks the first day of the lunar calendar, which in Chinese culture is the biggest day of the year: Chinese New Year. Call it superstition or just plain old tradition, families usually have dinner with extended relatives on the first and last day of the lunar calendar (it signifies that your family will be intact for the whole year), and dress up in red and gold, which is meant to bring you good fortune.
Here’s our round-up of the best festive beauty buys for the year of the dog so you can don a red lip, spritz on some gold glitz or even just keep a few of these in your makeup bag for the big day.
Strengthen nails with a streak-free top coat loaded with teensy gold flakes. Layer it on its own or decorate red nails by just lining the tip. Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener, 16.95
Packed with macadamia, hazelnut, borage, sweet almond, camellia and St. John’s Wort oils, this nourishing product will leave your limbs feeling super silky in under a minute. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or, $29.95
Pop the gold on eyelids after applying primer or sprinkle over lip gloss for a sparkly treat. Make Up Store Glitter in Gold and Poison, $28 each (02 9360 5885)
Go for a sharp red lip to dazzle over dinner. Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday or Eternal Flame, $19.95 each
Got frazzled locks? Spritz this rich argan oil treatment into dry ends to boost strength and shine. Tresemme Liquid Gold Restorative Complex Perfecting Treatment, $10.99
For something a little more subtle, try this sheer gloss to smooth and plump lips. Givenchy Gelee D’Interdit in Rouge Passion, $42 (Exclusively available at Sephora)
Pop this little tool in your makeup bag to smooth nails on the go. Revlon Gold Series Nail File, $9.95
Perfect your blow-dry with this cream-gel fusion – just press the ‘target’ button at the back, smooth the product onto damp hair then finish with a diffuser. L’Oreal Professionel Techni.Art Dual Styler Bouncy & Tender, $33
Peps up dull skin and leaves your complexion looking radiant all over. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Cheek in Sunburst, $40
Based on the citrine stone that the Ancient Greeks wore for its creative energy, try this gorgeous blend of citrus. jasmine and patchouli to brighten your day. Bvlgari Le Gemme Maravilla EDP $407 (02 9695 5678)
Main image courtesy of City of Sydney
How will you be celebrating Chinese New Year this year?
