The biggest party night of the year is nearly upon us; it’s time to go all out to stand out.

Here are the products beauty experts say you should have on hand if you want to go from average to amazing in no time.

• Oil-free foundation (to perfect skin tone)

• Rosy blush with a touch of shimmer (to brighten up your face)

• Lengthening mascara (to make your eyes pop)

• Sheer or red lip gloss (to go glam in seconds)

• Gold shimmer (for sexy shoulders and decolletage)

• Blue, purple or dark green eyeliner (for evening sophistication)

• Hair-styling cream or spray (to banish frizz and add shine)

• Sequined barrettes and bobby pins (to create an instant up-do or accessorize the one you have)

What’s new in beauty for 2010?
Out with the old, and in with the new. It’s time to take a look in the beauty crystal ball to see what will be on store shelves in 2010.

Consumer marketing and consulting firm Mintel has identified key trends that will help you put your best face forward in the coming months. I can’t wait to try some of them; others sound like they’re from another planet.

The good news? “Austerity chic,” which saw many of us cutting back on costlier cosmetics, will make way for mood-enhancing makeup designed to make you feel as good as you look.

This “mood beauty trend” goes beyond aromatherapy and scents, Mintel says; some beauty products will include ingredients that act on neurotransmitters in the brain.

Manufacturers also will use textures, temperatures and sounds that affect mood, and makeup that “switches on and off.”

Cosmetics that claim to improve sleep quality and a contemporary take on holistic healing also are part of this trend.

Other trends
• Although the popularity of organic products has been on the rise, the “Nu Natural” trend is less focused on certification and more focused on results, efficiency and safety, as producers try to please eco-conscious consumers. Mintel expects to see claims such as “free form” and “sustainable” appear on product labels.

• The “Pro-Tech’t” trend brings a renewed emphasis on protection: Beauty products will continue to include powerful shields against UV rays, but also against manmade factors. Mintel also expects to see more immune-boosting and enhancing skin defense claims.

• Consumers will see more advances in biochemistry, leading to higher-tech beauty products and more “mix-it-yourself” solutions, including at-home kits, cures and gadgets that offer alternatives to cosmetic surgery.

Cloe Cabrera is a writer with Media General News Service in Tampa, Florida