Let’s be real: Getting ready for a holiday event is an event all on its own. The hours spent deliberating over the perfect outfit, styling your hair and mastering your glam are all part of the fun. For most of us, this time of year serves as the perfect excuse to go all out and get dressed up. It’s when we feel emboldened to step out of our beauty comfort zones and try to recreate our favorite, most daring holiday makeup looks.
In truth, the holidays are a time to show up and show out. And there’s no better way to do just that than by rocking some glam that will make everyone envy you on the ‘gram and in real life.
Regardless of what your plans are, become the star of the show at any holiday gathering by recreating one of these 10 viral holiday makeup looks. From timeless red lips to smokey eyes, eye jewels, and everything in-between, these looks will help you shine bright throughout the rest of the year and into the next. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Holiday Makeup Looks To Recreate This Year:
1. Red Lips
Red lips are practically synonymous with the holidays, and this year, they’re trending for fall and winter. To master this look, pair your red lip with sleek eye makeup, like black eyeliner. After all, your lips should be the focal point. Also, be sure to opt for a shade that compliments your skin tone or outfit.
GEE BEAUTY
Color Pop Luxury Matte Lipstick
GEE BEAUTY
Red Hot Creamy Lip Define Pencil
2. Sultry Smoky Eye
This holiday season, bring all the smoke with a stunning smoky eye look. The key to mastering this glam is to remember that your eyes should stand out without being too jarring, and to blend, blend, blend! Likewise, using an eyeshadow primer and smudge brush can help make blending easier. Finish with more neutral, nude glam on the rest of your face to really make your eyes pop.
BEAUTY PIE
Smoky Eye Classics Eyeshadow Quad
3. 90’s Brown Lips
The 90’s are back and better than ever, baby. In juxtaposition to the brick brown liners and lipsticks of the past, the current trend is all about a brown liner and brown or clear gloss. Admittedly, the dark color can be intimidating, but don’t fret—brown is known to be universally flattering, and can warm up virtually every skin tone. To wear this trend, slightly overline your lips with a brown liner, then gently pat into the skin to blend the product out. Then, finish off with some brown or clear gloss in the center.
TOWER 28
Draw Me OneLiner Lip Liner
TOWER 28
Almond ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly
4. Shimmer, Glitter, & Sparkles
I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of holiday glam, glittering eyeshadow always comes to mind. After all, metallic lids—regardless of color—are perfect for the holidays. No matter if you opt for a bronzed coppery look, allover gold or silver, or experiment with colors, you’re guaranteed to stand out. Apply with your ring finger or eyeshadow brush and pair with matte face makeup and glossy lips or fresh, dewy skin. To really pigment the eyeshadow, apply using a brush misted with setting spray or a wet ring finger.
R.E.M BEAUTY
Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow
5. Blue Eyes
Thanks to the resurgence of all things Y2K, blue eyes are trending for fall and winter, and they’re the perfect way to get some frosty glam. Go for an all-over eyeshadow look with blue everywhere, similar to the one above, or opt for a strong, blue winged eyeliner. You can also simply sprinkle pops of blue throughout. To top it off and really get into the trend, pair with a blue outfit for monochromatic look.
COLOURPOP
Blue Velvet Pressed Eyeshadow Palette
6. Classic Winged Eyeliner
One look you can never go wrong with? A classic winged eyeliner. Whether you opt for a sharp and dramatic wing or low-key one doesn’t matter—all that matters is that it complements the rest of your look. Likewise, winged liners are also great because they’re so versatile; they give you more freedom to play around with the rest of your makeup. So, don’t be afraid to play around and have fun!
KYLIE COSMETICS
Kyliner Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner Pen
7. Soft Glam
If you want a toned down, angelic look, then soft glam is the way to go. The key to mastering this glam is to prep the skin with a good moisturizer that’ll leave it dewy and plump. Then, follow up with barely-there base makeup (think: sheer, lightweight formulas and cream products). Finish with minimal eyeshadow and false lashes or your favorite mascara.
GEE BEAUTY
Prime Skin Hybrid Skin Tint
Naked Lashes – Pack of 4
8. Berry Merry Pout
Another bold lip for the holidays?! Yes, please. The cold weather is the perfect time to rock darker lip colors, and berry is a color that can be played up or down, depending on the vibe you’re going for. For a softer holiday look, stick with a berry lip and mascara with barely-there base makeup. For a more daring look, pair with a purple or red eyeshadow for a festive sugarplum moment.
E.L.F COSMETICS
Untamed O FACE Satin Lipstick
9. Pink Blush
We spent this past summer applying blush all over our faces to make it look like we’d just spent a day in the sun, and this winter, we’re doing the same thing to mimic a day spent out in the cold. Apply on the apples of your cheeks for a classic moment, or get creative and apply in place of contour or across the bridge and tip of your nose and under your eyes for that ballerinacore makeup look.
MAKE BEAUTY
Cosmic Skin Mimetic Microsuede Blush
10. Glittering Bronze and Nude
If you want a slightly more toned-down look that doesn’t skimp on glitz and glam, look no further. With a glittering bronze and nude makeup look, you’ll effortlessly accentuate all your best features. The key here is to give the skin a soft glow with a soft matte base, light blush, and low-key highlight. For the eyes, stick to neutral colors, and finish off the look with a nude lip liner and high-shine gloss.
BEAUTY PIE
Awesome Bronze™ Gradual Self-Tanning Drops
RARE BEAUTY
Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter
