Lynsey Alexander, senior make-up artist for M.A.C UK, has done catwalk shows for designers such as Chloe, Balenciaga, Matthew Williamson and Versace. We got her take on the party season's key make-up trends as well as some top tips on how to achieve them

The trends

Now you've chosen your look, it's time to discover how to pull off the perfect transformation in the office loos after a hard day's work.

Build on what you've got
After work, there's always the temptation to wipe off your make-up and start again, but often there just isn't the time or space. Lynsey says: 'Forget about taking off all your make-up. The key is freshening up and building on what you're already wearing rather than starting from scratch.'

Don't go overboard!
'A lot of people get a bit heavy handed when they're doing their make-up at night,' explains Lynsey. 'Remember, you still want to look like yourself, just a bit fresher, not harder or stronger. A quick spritz of freshening spray will hydrate and give a real glow to the skin.'

Lynsey uses M.A.C's Fix+ on her celebrity clients, who include Teri Hatcher and Sienna Miller. Sensitive skin sufferers should try Avene's Eau Thermale, a soothing, anti-irritating, hydrating mist which contains thermal spring water. Decleor's Fresh Hydrating Mist with essential oils is also great for de-stressing and perking up tired, after-work skin.

Get the light right
Put on your make-up somewhere with lots of light, preferably natural, so you don't step out overloaded with bronzer or blusher.

Creating a base
It's likely that your foundation and concealer will have worn off during the day, so touch them up using a brush or your fingertips. Be sparing, as slathering on a thick new layer of foundation on top of what's already there will look cakey and unnatural, which is not your aim.

Smoky eyes
Linsey explains how to create instant Kate Moss-esque, rock'n'roll party eyes in just a few minutes. She says: 'Simply take a black eyeliner and line the rim of the eye.' Linsey uses M.A.C's graph black waterproof pencil for this look. For a cheaper alternative that works a treat, try Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil in black.

'Next, gently pat a creamy shadow, like M.A.C's cream colour base in dusk - a muddy dark brown which gives a shimmer and sheen to the eyes - around the edge of the lower and upper lids, using your fingertips. This is a look that's meant to appear a little worn in and smoky so you don't have to be too precise. Finish off with a couple of coats of brown or black mascara.'

Cheeks
Add a little colour to the cheeks with your favourite bronzer or peachy powder.

Understated lips
Since the eyes are prominent with this look, it's best to keep the lips muted. Lynsey's quick alternative to nude lips only takes a few seconds and looks really effective. 'Just dab a little of your concealer over your lips and then slick some clear lip gloss over the top.'

Daring and dramatic lips
If you don't think you can pull off the smoky-eye trend, opt instead for strong, dramatic lips. This look particularly suits those with very pale complexions - think Charmed actress Rose McGowan.

'The easiest way to do this is to tone down everything else on your face,' says Linsey. 'Run some clear mascara over the lashes and go for a gorgeous, killer red lipstick, like M.A.C's Russian Red which we used at loads of the catwalk shows last year.'

Other bold and effective shades of red include Guerlain's Divinora Deep and Matt Lipstick No. 420 and Clinique's Colour Surge Lipstick in Red Drama.

Try a hot pink like Bourjois's new Docteur Glamour Intensive moisturising lipstick in Fuchsia 0 bobo 15 for a more modern, edgy look.

Touch-ups
Keep your hydrating spray at hand to fix your make-up and give your skin a lift through the evening.