It's my work Christmas party tonight (yes, it is very early in the year). Whenever I've got an evening event that I want to look my best for, I like to spend the day pampering myself, so while I'm sitting here waiting for my hair to dry, I thought I'd share my routine!

First of all, get everything that needs doing out of the house, such as food shopping, out of the way. Make sure you have everything you need and you know where it is so you're not rushing about at the last minute.

Start with a face mask. I use Lush's Mask of Magnaminty. Let it dry, or leave it on for however long it says.

Next step is a nice hot bath or shower. I prefer showers, but we only have a bath here. Shampoo your hair and rinse it. Put your conditioner on, but don't rinse yet. Wash with your favourite soap or shower gel and then shave and exfoliate. I use Lush's (I like Lush) You Snap The Whip. There seems to be some debate over whether to exfoliate before or after shaving - I like to do it afterwards, because my skin never feels quite smooth post-shave and the exfoliating helps. Today, I did it before and after. Rinse your conditioner out (don't use hot water - I usually use warm water and then do a final rinse in lukewarm or cool water). When you get out, run a comb (a wide toothed comb, not a brush!) through your hair.

Eyebrows! If you're plucking them, is best to do it now while your skin is still warm and wet.

Next step is lotion. I really like scented lotion and prefer to use that and a spritz of body spray rather than perfume. I put on my lotion when I get out of the bath so I'm all moisturised, and then I put some more on just before I do my make-up to top up the scent.

You can also cleanse, tone and moisturise now, although I usually moisturise shortly before putting my make-up on because my skin dries out quickly.

At this point, you should really be relaxing in something decadent, like a silk robe, and drinking a glass of wine. I am sitting in my hairdye stained bathrobe, contemplating drinking some lemonade. Once you're dry, if you're not ready to get dressed, put something clean and comfortable on so you don't get all smelly.

You can do your nails now if you're doing them. If you're wearing fake nails, though, don't put them until you're dressed, especially if you're wearing tights or anything with fiddly bits, like necklaces or buttonholes. If you just want to paint them, though, do them now - they'll have chance to dry, and you'll be able to do another coat and any touch ups before it's time to get dressed.

Just chill for a bit until it's time to start doing your hair and make-up. I always do make-up before I get dressed, otherwise I end up with it on my clothes. If you haven't done your cleansing, toning and moisturising already, do that now.

Put some upbeat music on to dance around to and pump yourself up as you're getting ready. Do your make-up. If you're doing something drastically different with your make-up, have a trial run! Don't have your trial run on the same day unless you're doing it before your bath or shower otherwise it might be difficult to get off properly.

Do your hair/get dressed. If you're wearing something that'll mess up your hair when you put it on, get dressed first. If you're not, get dressed afterwards. I try to do most of my hair before I get dressed as my hair is very light and likes to come out a lot when I comb it, and it shows up really obviously on dark clothing.

If you're going to be up close and personal with someone, and their face is going to be near your hair (if you're getting intimate or you're just somewhere loud where they'll need to speak right into your hair), try this - put a spritz of perfume on your comb and run it through your hair. Just use a tiny bit - any more will make your hair crunchy and be overpowering.

Put a spritz of body spray or perfume on yourself, put your jewellery on, pack your party bag, and go out and enjoy yourself!