Festive Makeup Looks For All Of Your Holiday Celebrations
'Tis the season to sparkle, shimmer, and shine, so we've got the perfect makeup inspirations to make this season's festive moments truly magical. Whether you're getting ready for a cozy family dinner or a glamorous work holiday party — or you simply want to add a touch of brightness and merriment to your everyday routine — there's a unique, holiday-themed makeup look for you.
From subtle and classic looks to quirky and bold statements, we compiled looks and tips that will help you step into holiday cheer in no time. After all, the beauty of the holiday season lies not only in the twinkling lights and family gatherings but also in the joy of expressing yourself through fashion and makeup. (Who could forget that it's finally ugly holiday sweater time again?) So, join us on a journey through a winter wonderland of makeup possibilities as we take inspiration from candy canes, snowflakes, and even the Grinch himself. And, no, not all of our options are the classic winter red.
A natural face with bold red lips is always a great choice
Get ready to showcase effortless beauty with a no-makeup makeup look featuring bold lips this holiday season. Embracing the trend of subtle, barely there makeup has been big all year, and we're all about keeping that trend going. Picture a beautiful complexion, lightly accentuated features, and vibrant red lips as the star of the show. The simplicity of this makeup allows your natural beauty to shine through, while the red lips make a bold statement that's simply perfect for holiday celebrations.
Gold makeup is a timeless classic
The charm of gold makeup never goes out of style, no matter the season. However, gold eyeshadow is a classic holiday look that suits every eye and hair color, so anyone can easily elevate their festive vibes with shimmering gold eyeshadow all over their eyelids. The beauty of this style lies in its simplicity — a single sweep of gold transforms your eyes into dazzling focal points of your look. Pair this radiant eyeshadow with classic, black winged eyeliner and vibrant red lips, and you're ready for any holiday party.
Goth glam is perfect for the holiday season
If you're thinking of exploring gothic-inspired makeup, the holiday season is the perfect time for a bold makeup choice. If you're unsure how to rock the '90s trend, there are updated ways to wear gothic makeup. In fact, colder weather allows for darker and more dramatic makeup looks, which means you can rock both dark eyes and lips at the same time. The key to this style is embracing a sense of magic and darkness and, with that, adding a touch of mystique to the season's festivities.
Adding stars to your eye makeup makes it way more special
For some extra holiday magic, transform your eye makeup into a celestial masterpiece by adding glitter stars. Nothing says festive like a touch of sparkle, and incorporating stars into your look adds a whimsical and glamorous element to your makeup. You can either hand-draw tiny stars across your eyelids for a personalized look or opt for the easier route of using pre-made glitter stars. Simply apply them with eyelash glue, and your celestialcore makeup will be done in a second.
Candycane makeup is bound to put you in the spotlight
Listen, this look surely isn't for everyone, but if you're in a quirky, playful, and festive mood, why not go for a candy cane makeup look? To recreate the pattern, start by applying a white eyeshadow base all over your eyelids. Then, use a red eye pencil to draw the signature stripes. For a polished finish, use a clean brush to blend the lines slightly, ensuring a seamless and even appearance. The result? Peppermint-perfect eyelids that are perfect for the most wonderful time of the year.
A rich green is a holiday classic
A timeless and rich green glitter eyeshadow look is a holiday classic that proves that achieving a dramatic and festive makeup style doesn't have to be complicated. Begin by covering your eyelids with a neutral, bronzed color. Then, use a darker tone to define your crease. Now, for the magical touch: Apply the deep, rich green eyeshadow to the center of your lid, ensuring you stay within the crease. And voilà — your festive look is ready!
Christmas tree eyebrows are perfect for the quirky ones out there
If you're looking for a way to unleash your quirky side this holiday season, we've got the perfect suggestion: Christmas tree eyebrows. It's the perfect way to stand out and add a touch of uniqueness to your holiday makeup — and achieving this look is surprisingly easy. Just brush the lower half of your brows downward and the upper half upward, creating a branching effect. To finish the look, add face jewels to mimic ornaments, and crown your tree with a star-shaped accent. Trust us, this look will undoubtedly be a show-stopper.
Icy blue makeup is perfect for the winter holidays
While we often associate the festive season with classic reds, golds, and greens, don't underestimate the allure of icy blue shades. You can easily elevate your holiday glam by adding some blue face jewels to your eye look, transforming yourself into the season's most stunning ice queen. This fun makeup choice easily adds a touch of frosty elegance to your makeup look, and it provides an easy way to take your daytime makeup to a nighttime look without needing to redo it.
Glitter eyebrows are the perfect way of adding some extra sparkle
If Christmas tree eyebrows feel a bit too quirky for your taste, but you still want to have some fun, glitter brows are here to steal the show. This easy style allows you to tailor the level of sparkle to your liking, making it suitable for any holiday occasion. The best part? You can pair glitter brows with a variety of eye makeup looks. And don't worry: Even if you have naturally dark eyebrows, the glitter will still catch the light and create a beautifully festive aesthetic.
Red, green, and gold scream holiday season
Deck the halls — and your eyelids — with the classic holiday trio of red, green, and gold. When you're in the mood for a timeless, festive look, this combination never fails to deliver. Now, depending on your makeup skills, you can create a soft ombré across your eyelid, finishing it off with a matching glittery cut crease that ends in a dramatic cat eye.
Silver eye makeup is gold's cool sister
Or, you can ditch the traditional gold and let silver steal the spotlight this holiday season. Silver eye makeup brings an edgy, modern twist to your festive look, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves having fun with makeup. Swipe a bold silver eyeshadow across your eyelid and extend it toward your temple for an effortlessly fun and eye-catching look. Whether you're attending a glamorous holiday party or aiming for a cool and contemporary daytime look, silver eye makeup will ensure that you stand out.
Wine lips work with any outfit
One '90s trend making a strong comeback is wine lips. The rich, deep shade of red complements any skin tone, offering a touch of gothic drama to your winter glam. The colder months provide the perfect time to explore this trend, letting you channel your inner vamp in style. And if you're feeling bold, take this trend a step further by pairing your wine lips with matching eyeshadow for a dramatic and perfectly coordinated look.
If you love reindeer, why not go for a reindeer-inspired look
Another quirky way to embrace the holiday look is a fun reindeer-inspired look featuring antler-shaped eyeliner. With this style, you're moving away from the conventional winged end and going for whimsical reindeer antlers instead. What's more, the beauty of this look lies in its creativity; there's no right or wrong, and each antler can have its own unique charm, meaning that they don't have to resemble each other. This takes all the stress out of your look.
Christmas lights look great as part of your eye makeup
For those who have a steady hand and plenty of patience, we suggest this gorgeous Christmas lights eye makeup look. Yes, it will be time-consuming, and you might need to fix a mistake here and there, but the end result is worth it. Just picture delicate strings of lights decorating your eyelids, creating a festive and colorful vibe. (Yes, it's a little "Stranger Things" in vibe, but who doesn't love that show?)
Red glitter eyeliner is a Christmas must
While incorporating red into eye makeup can be challenging because it can be overpowering, opting for a sparkly red eyeliner is a foolproof way to infuse a festive spirit into your look. This holiday season, take your go-to eye makeup to the next level by adding a touch of glittery red. The bold liner effortlessly brings a festive look to your eyes, creating a season-appropriate vibe.
A cut crease is perfect for New Year's celebrations
Why not welcome the new year with a touch of drama by embracing the classic black and silver cut crease? This eye makeup look is perfect for those seeking a glamorous and classy appearance as the clock strikes midnight. The contrast between the dark black shades and the shimmering silver creates a bold aesthetic, setting you apart from the typical Christmas color palette. Of course, if you prefer a combination of other colors, you do you — this cut crease is amenable to any colors.
Snowflake makeup is a great way to celebrate the season
No holiday makeup list is complete without a whimsical snowflake look — aka the most perfect way to embrace the beauty of the holidays. To achieve a makeup look that captures the magic of winter, start with a blue eyeshadow base, creating the perfect backdrop for the white snowflakes. The design is up to you, whether you opt for a single snowflake on each eye or a cascade of smaller ones that mimic the fall of snow.
Graphic eyeliner provides an edgy take on holiday glam
If classic black makeup is your comfort zone, you can still stand out by spicing it up ever so slightly — and, no, we don't mean adding too-bold colors. Opt for a gritty graphic liner instead, replacing your go-to wing with intricate lines that make your makeup extra special. This unconventional approach allows you to infuse an edgy vibe into your festive look without straying too far from your typical look.
Red eyeshadow is perfect for holiday looks
When aiming for a red smokey eye, the key lies in plenty of blending. Remember, with red, you can always build up the intensity, but removing excess red pigment can be challenging, so start slow and add layers until you achieve the perfect look. And if you feel like red eyeshadow looks weird on you no matter how hard you blend it, try adding a classic black winged eyeliner — aka the makeup move that always saves our looks.
A dramatic smokey eye with face jewels is perfect for fun holiday parties
A lived-in smokey eye will never go out of style, and for the holiday season, we have an easy tip for spicing it up: Simply add fun face jewels to it. With this trick, you can go as colorful or subtle as you'd like — and you get brownie points if you use holiday-themed face jewels like Christmas trees, stars, or snowflakes. This festive twist on a classic look will ensure that you stand out at every holiday gathering.
Santa's hat looks great on your eyelids
Another fun way to get into the holiday spirit is by turning your eyelids into adorable Santa hats. Utilize the natural shape of your eyelids as the perfect canvas for this look. To create the hats, grab some vibrant red eyeshadow, white eyeliner, and, optionally, sparkles for some extra twinkle. Don't forget the finishing touch: Add a round puff at the end of each hat to capture that iconic Santa-hat charm.
Shimmery eyes + bold lips are always in style
There's nothing wrong with sticking to a classic and timeless combination for the season. Of course, we mean shimmery eyes paired with bold lips. Simply pick your favorite shimmery eyeshadow — gold or champagne hues work wonders. Then, complement the sparkly eyes with a bold lip color, such as classic red or deep wine. This sophisticated pairing effortlessly captures the spirit of the season, and it's endlessly reliable.
Cold girl makeup is a fun look for those who like a natural look
Cold girl makeup is all about enhancing that frosty look you naturally get from spending time outdoors during winter. The key to this look is plenty of blush — and when we say plenty, we mean it. Apply your favorite rosy shade to your cheeks and cheekbones, and don't forget the tip of your nose; it will bring the whole look together. For extra longevity, start with a cream or liquid blush, and then set it with a powder blush.
Channel your inner Grinch with bright green eyeliner
Spice up your holiday makeup with the bold and vibrant touch of bright, Grinch-green eyeliner. This unexpected twist on seasonal glam instantly adds a fresh and playful element to your look, giving you a modern interpretation of festive makeup. All you need is bright green eyeliner, and you're ready to step out the door and enjoy any and all festive activities.