Work Hard, Play Harder on a Friday Night

It’s the day everyone is always looking forward to—FRIDAY—the day to unwind, let your hair down, and simply have fun!

Working straight for five days a week can be quite physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. Fridays are usually also the most stressful of workdays because deadlines need to be met and plans for the week ahead have to be laid out. So what do you do when office hours end only seconds before the party begins? You have barely a minute to catch your breath, much less go home and change your outfit completely. No need to panic! Here are some tips that can help save you from the scramble, and just simply transition from work to play.

Makeup

Makeup is essential to both work and play. The colors you choose for your face can either connote a serious or sultry vibe. Depending on your skin tone, there is a certain palette that can go on your face perfectly, it’s just a matter of knowing how to carry it for both your meetings and your evening parties.

First, start with a good foundation to prepare your face for your makeup. Make sure that the color you use is just the right shade for your skin tone or slightly darker. Having foundation or powder that is too light can make your face light up like a ghost whenever flash photos are taken. Foundation is the key to holding your makeup in place, so make sure you choose one that also complements your skin, and doesn’t leave it oily or dry.

For a stress-free re-application, make sure to bring a small make-up kit containing what you need to revamp your image from corporate to chic. Some essentials are eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. Your lipstick’s color can make a bold and striking difference. For an instant change of look, wipe off your slightly tinted lip balm and instantly slap on some loud red color on your lips. Sure hits are MAC’s Ruby Woo and Danger Girl. You’re sure to carry a lasting impression.

Hair

Your hairstyle can be very tricky, especially if you plan to shift between work and party. Depending on your hair length, there are different styles that you can explore, but one of the simplest ways to transition from an office look to a nighttime fashion is by making the simple-yet-sophisticated hair bun.

If you sport long locks, you can tie your hair in the morning into a bun. Video tutorials for these are easily accessible. It’s such a convenient and no-frills way to instantly style your hair without having to worry about it throughout the day, especially during work hours. When it’s time to let loose, simply remove your hair tie and see your hair bounce with waves and curls. Having your hair tied in a bun adds volume and shape to your hair, making it party-ready in an instant!

Short hair isn’t much of a problem; just bring along the product you use and add it on before your party starts. For medium length hair, you can just tie it up, but in order to prevent creases, it might help to have a flat iron just in case!

Clothes

Friday is an excuse to come in to work extra snazzy, but since you’re still in the confinements of your office for a good part of the day, make sure that you know how to keep it professional. There is a lot of danger coming in to work and going to meetings wearing a flashy sequin tube top, and it could even cost you your career. Save the excitement for later since you’ll have a whole evening for that anyway.

One of the quickest ways to go from corporate attire to evening-ready is by sporting a blazer on top of your choice of party clothing. It balances out the look of being serious yet fun. Save your sparkly heels for later by keeping them under your office desk for the meantime or in your car. Remember that patience is a virtue, and you’re still wearing your corporate hat!

Another key to rocking your evening look is to mix and match your accessories. Don some sparkly earrings and pile up those bangles! Spritz some perfume, and you’re good to go and dance the night away.

Bags

The smaller the better—depending on where you’re going, of course! Intimate dinners don’t require a teeny tiny bag, but if you’re headed straight to the club to party it up, then make sure you bring a bag that’s compact enough, yet holds your belongings securely. As much as possible don’t leave your bag alone in the bar or else someone might instantly snatch it; get one that’s small enough to hang from the shoulder, but not large enough to be a hindrance to your dancing.

Another tip is to simply bring your small bag to work on Friday, but make sure you bring whatever you need to the office on Thursday. If you have any important and valuable items such as a laptop, ask if you can leave it inside your friend’s car, or maybe you can also ask the management of the place you are going to if they could keep your belongings in the meantime. There are many different ways on how to secure your items, just as long as you plan ahead and prepare for it.

Accessories

Accessories can either make or break your outfit, so if you’re in for a night of fun and play, then choose what to add on to your ensemble wisely. A little can go a long way, so if you’re looking forward to kick start the weekend with a night of play, then you might want to think twice before putting on those long earrings that can get in the way. The corporate setting may have limited room for your giant rings and sparkly diamond earrings, but that doesn’t mean that all hope is gone. In the workplace, things still have to be kept on a professional level, so if you’re planning on wearing those gigantic hoop earrings with a swaying gem in the center, think again. Accessories can either be objects of distraction or outfit enhancers, depending on how you layer them on.

If your bag doesn’t have room to hold tonight’s accessories, you can opt for earth-colored bangles with a hint of shine. Pair them with a simple necklace, and they should be good to go. Remember that it’s better to dress down than to overdo it. If you’re planning to wear extremely fancy earrings, do away with the bracelets and necklace.

It’s all a matter of balancing the number of items you have dangling around your neck, wrists, and ears. It has always been a rule of thumb that when it comes to necklaces and earrings, you shouldn’t sport extravagant ones together because instead of standing out, you will just become a fashionable mess. Stick to simplicity and maybe intensify your look through your make-up, or just wear a sparkly set of diamond earrings. Remember that your look depends on how you carry yourself, so be mindful of what you use to accessorize. Makeup, especially lipstick and eye shadow can serve as accessories also, so learn the balancing act.

So if you’re looking to instantly flick your switch from work to play, keeping these little things in mind can definitely transition with ease.