If you've been scrolling endlessly through festive makeup inspirations for the holiday season, you can stop now. We've got you covered! Whether you're hoping to steal a sneaky mistletoe kiss from your crush at the company party or just want a low-key look for sipping Christmas cocktails by the fire, the perfect makeup will help you feel ready for whatever the holidays bring. Best of all, these looks are easy to achieve and can match any mood and attitude. Who said you had to sacrifice your personal style for a little holiday spirit?
When it comes to Christmas makeup, what could be more iconic than classic crimson lipstick? It's no surprise that everyone's go-to holiday lip color is this timeless shade. If you normally shy away from such a bold lip, let this finally be your moment to put your best face forward. Studies have shown that wearing red lipstick projects an air of sexy confidence more than any other color.
Don't think you can pull it off? That's probably because you haven't found right red for your skin tone. There's a perfect shade for everyone, so keep looking. Your holy grail is out there somewhere!
Getting-ready song suggestion: All I Want For Christmas Is You
Smoldering, smokey eyes take your Christmas party look from nice to just the right amount of naughty. With your fingertips, blend long-wear color stick or cream eye shadow from the roots of your eyelashes up to your eye socket, then add mascara and a swipe of pencil eyeliner for the perfect fuss-free finish. If you want to look more glam than goth, skip black and stick to richly pigmented shades of navy, mahogany, forest green, and gunmetal gray.
Getting-ready song suggestion: Santa Tell Me
If you want your outfit to take center stage this season, a neutral makeup palette of nudes and champagnes will leave you feeling gorgeous but won’t steal the show. Add a touch of bronzer to your cheekbones for some sunkissed radiance, and play up your peepers with a little black mascara.
Getting-ready song suggestion: You Make It Feel Like Christmas
What could be more festive than gilded lids? Liquid gold glitter eyeshadow goes on easy and dries quickly without the mess. If you love the festive opulence of metallics this time of year, the good news is you don't have to limit yourself to your eyelids. Golden ronzers, highlighters and even lipsticks are in on the trend these days. Talk about a gold rush!
Getting ready song suggestion: Silent Night
Prep your skin by gently exfoliating, then apply serum and moisturizer and allowing it to fully absorb. Then, blend highlighter around your eyes in a C-shape to enhance your features, and add a drop or two to your favorite foundation for a dewy all-over finish. The result? Radiant skin that will light up the room, and keep you glowing all night long.
Getting-ready song suggestion: One More Sleep
You know that one dazzling eyeshadow pot in your palette that you’ve never quite dared to wear? Well, ‘tis the season to make a statement, and there's no better excuse than the holidays to make things merry and bright — right? Adding saturated pops of vermilion, royal blue, plum, and jade is the fastest way to inject instant festive cheer into your image. Consider keeping the rest of your face neutral to ensure the look stays fun, not funhouse.
Getting-ready song suggestion: Underneath the Tree
If glitzy eyeshadow and loud lips aren't your thing, vamp it up with rich cocoas, plums, and blacks. This sultry look calls for heavy emphasis on the lips and eyes, with long dark lashes and deep, velvety pigments. Keep the rest of the look matte and minimal.
Getting-ready song suggestion: Santa Baby
If all those reds and greens everywhere are leaving you cold, opt for arctic shades of frosty pastels instead. Ultra-pale pinks, powder blues and icy lavenders perfectly complement the silvery metallics and sparkly whites of the winter season. A frosted lip completes the look.
Getting-ready song suggestion: Let It Go
A classic, mid century-inspired holiday party look will have you rockin’ around the Christmas tree in no time. A thick swipe of black winged eyeliner, creamy skin, and a flush of peaches-and-cream color on the cheeks and lips is just enough to evoke a cool retro mood without looking too costumey.
Getting-ready song suggestion: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
This prismatic late-night party look will see you through the holiday season straight into the New Year. Apply holographic body glitter to your face the areas you would normally add highlighter to for a cosmic shimmer that would make a unicorn jealous. Top off your lids with a sparkly eye shadow, and add an iridescent eyeliner to the inner corners of your eyes for maximum impact. For a more subtle effect, a thin topcoat of holographic lip gloss over nude lipstick adds drama without looking too out-of-this world.
Getting-ready song suggestion: Santa Gets Lit