Holiday Makeup Inspiration: Must-Try Festive Makeup Tips

As the holiday season approaches, many of us begin looking forward to spending quality time with family and friends, while also wanting to present our most radiant selves with a flawless makeup look. Whether it’s a Christmas dinner, a New Year’s Eve party, holiday shopping, or travel, holiday makeup is an essential part of the experience. During this special time of the year, why not experiment with makeup styles that are different from our everyday looks, creating something unique and festive?

Today, I’m excited to share some holiday makeup inspiration that you can definitely try this season. Whether you love a subtle, elegant look or a bold, glamorous style, there’s something for everyone! Let’s dive into how to create the perfect holiday makeup look and make this winter even more enchanting.

1. Base Makeup — Perfecting the Foundation is Key

Regardless of the style of makeup, perfecting your base is the foundation of a successful makeup look. During the fall and winter, skin tends to become drier and duller, so achieving a hydrated and glowing base is extremely important. Before applying makeup, it’s essential to take care of your skincare routine. Using a moisturizing primer will give your skin the perfect base for makeup application.

Personally, I prefer primers that contain hyaluronic acid or vitamin C, as these ingredients hydrate the skin and brighten the complexion. After applying the primer, I use a foundation that matches my skin tone to create an even and smooth finish. For the colder months, I gravitate toward moisturizing foundations rather than those that are overly mattifying. This ensures my skin retains a natural, healthy glow.

The method of applying foundation is also important. I typically use a makeup sponge, a brush, or my fingers to blend foundation into my skin. The sponge gives a more seamless, natural finish, while a brush provides a more airbrushed look.

Additionally, concealer is a crucial step in creating a flawless base. For dark circles, blemishes, or redness, concealer helps to hide imperfections. Choose a concealer that’s close to your skin tone, and blend it in with your ring finger for a gentle touch. This prevents tugging on delicate skin and gives a more natural finish.

2. Exquisite Eye Makeup — The Highlight of Festive Glam

Eye makeup is often the star of holiday looks, and it’s the part where you can experiment with some dazzling colors and textures. Whether it’s a dinner party, a night out, or a special holiday gathering, festive eye makeup is your chance to shine.

1. Shimmery Eyeshadow

For holiday makeup, shimmery eyeshadow can really make your eyes pop. Shades like gold, silver, rose gold, and deep copper are perfect for the season and enhance the festive mood. For instance, a finely milled gold eyeshadow can give your eyes a warm, luminous glow.

I prefer using an eyeshadow palette that contains both matte and shimmer shades. Start by applying a light base color all over your lid, then add a shimmer shade like gold or silver in the center of the eyelid to create depth. Finally, use a darker shade in the outer corners to add dimension to your eyes.

2. Bold Lashes and Precise Eyeliner

Bold lashes and precise eyeliner can instantly elevate your eye makeup. I love long, voluminous lashes for parties, as they add drama and make my eyes appear larger. I always choose a mascara that provides both length and volume for a dramatic look.

For eyeliner, I lean towards either a classic winged eyeliner or a thin, precise line. Winged eyeliner creates a more sultry, cat-eye effect, while a thin line is perfect for a more subtle, sophisticated look. Whether you use liquid or pencil eyeliner, the key is to keep the line smooth and defined.

3. Festive Blush — Adding a Healthy Glow to Your Cheeks

Blush is an essential part of any holiday makeup look, giving your face a fresh, healthy appearance. For fall and winter, warm tones like peach, coral, or rosy pink are perfect choices. These shades can add a lovely flush of color that complements the cooler weather.

For application, I prefer cream or powder blushes. Cream blushes tend to be more hydrating, which is ideal for dry skin in the winter, while powder blushes offer a natural, soft finish. Apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend it outward for a soft, youthful glow.

If you want to add a little extra sparkle to your holiday look, opt for a blush with subtle shimmer or pair it with highlighter to give your skin a radiant finish. A touch of highlighter on the top of your cheekbones, brow bone, and down the bridge of your nose can truly enhance the glow of your makeup.

4. Lip Makeup — The Final Touch for a Festive Vibe

Lip makeup is a great way to make a statement during the holidays, and bold lips are particularly popular during this time of year. Classic red, deep berry, and plum shades are all ideal for the fall and winter months and can instantly elevate any look.

I usually go for a long-wearing liquid lipstick that stays on throughout the day or evening. I line my lips first with a lip liner to define the shape, then fill in with my lipstick. If you prefer a more plump look, you can use a glossy lip product for extra shine.

For those who want to experiment, adding a touch of shimmer to your lips with a gloss or sparkly lip topper can bring some extra festive flair. Metallic shades like gold or silver are perfect for holiday parties and special occasions.

5. Extra Holiday Touches — Highlighter and Glitter

To really take your holiday makeup to the next level, don’t forget about extra touches like highlighter and glitter. Highlighting the high points of your face with a shimmering highlighter can add a beautiful glow to your skin. Apply it to your cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow, and down the bridge of your nose for an ethereal glow.

If you’re attending a bigger event or party, adding a bit of glitter to your eyes or lips can make your makeup truly festive. Just a little sparkle can enhance your overall look, making you stand out and add a fun element to your holiday makeup.

Recommended Brands:

1. Too Faced: Too Faced is well-known for its luxurious and pigmented makeup products that are perfect for creating festive looks. Their “Born This Way” foundation offers a beautiful, natural finish, while their eyeshadow palettes, such as “Sweet Peach” and “Chocolate Bar,” feature a mix of matte and shimmery shades perfect for holiday eye makeup. Their products are also long-lasting and highly rated for their performance.
2. Urban Decay: Urban Decay is another fantastic brand for creating bold and beautiful holiday makeup looks. Their “Naked” eyeshadow palettes offer a wide range of shades, from shimmering golds to matte neutrals, ideal for festive eye makeup. They also offer highly-pigmented lipsticks and long-wear setting sprays that help keep your makeup in place throughout the night, ensuring you look flawless during all your holiday celebrations.

Holiday makeup is not only a way to enhance the festive atmosphere but also a great opportunity to showcase your unique style and charm. From perfecting the base makeup to adding that glimmering final touch, each step plays an important role in creating a dazzling holiday look. Whether you prefer a natural elegance or a bold, glamorous statement, you can experiment with different elements to make your holiday makeup truly stand out. I hope these makeup tips inspire you to create your own stunning look for the holidays!