This time of year provides the perfect excuse to up your beauty game. Inspiration for new looks isn't always the easiest to find, though, especially in the hectic holiday haze of party planning and gift shopping. So, if you're on the hunt for some festive inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or more of a novice, a glitz and glam lover or a makeup minimalist, we scoured Instagram to bring you 32 holiday party makeup looks to suit all budgets and preferences.
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This article was originally published in November 2019 and has since been updated.
A Very Vampy Christmas
Ditch your red lipstick for a dark vampy colour, as Jonsie does here. Bonus points if you have a light champagne-coloured eyeshadow to pair with your look, such as Glossier Lidstar in Moon, or Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick in Integrity.
Après-Ski Flush
Look as if you are fresh from the snowy slopes — no runny nose required. Makeup artist Patrick Ta gives Gigi Hadid a faux cold-weather flush with a matching berry cheek and lip. The key here is to make the blush and lip colour you apply appear soft and blurred. Pro tip: Use your fingers to soften the pigment by gently patting your lips. For a diffused look on your cheeks, add a very slightly lighter blush around the outside of your main tint, and blur the edges using a brush or your fingers.
Cinnamon Spice Soirée
Pumpkin spice season may start in the fall, but it stretches all the way into winter sweater weather. Use pumpkin pies and cinnamon rolls as your inspiration for a delicious, smoky, bronzed eyelid, such as this example from makeup artist Rachel Tzairi on Instagram. Finish with glossy lips via Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, in Iced Coffee.
Red & Razor Sharp
If Santa were into glam eye makeup, this is what he would wear. Makeup artist Alexandra French gives Victoria Pedretti this winged red eye look that’s perfect for a holiday party. To achieve this festive eye makeup, make sure to reach for bold pigmented eye colours that are easy to diffuse and soften with a brush, like the Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Liquid Pigment in Primary Red. Want to look even edgier? Fluff up your brows with a clear brow gel like the Benefit 24-Hour Brow Setter.
Snow Angel Wings
If you’re looking for something outside of more traditional and glam makeup, consider this more abstract wintery eye look. Draw the outline of a big, oversized wing in white and leave it at that. If you want a sharper siren eye, look to this example on Ashley Park by makeup artist Vincent Oquendo and line your inner corners, as well. We love Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Snow, for easy application and ultra precision to draw the sharpest wings possible.
Velvet Eyes
‘Tis the season to wear velvet. Instead of just having it adorn your holiday party outfit, add it to your eyes, as well. Look to this sultry example on Simone Ashley as done by makeup artist Alex Babsky. Reach for a creamy and buildable eye shadow in an opulent, velvety shade, such as Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre in Midnight. To complete the look, tightline your top and bottom lids with black eyeliner (Victoria Beckham Beauty is a safe bet when it comes to eyeliner, too).
Purple Frost
Statement shimmery eyes aren't limited to just gold and silver metals. Try opting for a frosted purple metallic look, like the one here on FKA Twigs by makeup artist Raoúl Alejandre. Not only is there glitter on the eyes, but subtle sparkles all over her face, too, along with a very Y2K glittery lip. Use a soft glittery eyeshadow that can double as full-face shimmer, like Makeup by Mario Master Crystal Reflector, and a sparkly lip colour like Tom Ford Sun Spark Lip Balm.
Holly Wreath Green
Red gets a lot of the attention when it comes to makeup during the holiday season, but green is equally as festive. This example by makeup artist Allan Avendaño on Lana Condor is a great example of a bright, holly-hued eye that will shine at any festive occasion. In this look, Avendaño uses eyeshadow from Pat McGrath Labs.
Christmas Cat Eye
Avendaño gives Genneya Walton a classic black cat eye, cherry red lip, and the kind of glowing skin you can never go wrong with — no matter the time of year. The trick to achieving the glowing skin here is mixing some beauty glow drops — we love e.l.f. Cosmetics' Halo Glow Liquid Filter — in with your foundation, or even apply it solo for a festive glow that isn't from the Christmas tree.
Crimson Christmas
Unlike how we look after a sleepless night, this crimson-coloured eye look is one we actually want to be seen with everywhere. A red eyeshadow moment can feel intimidating, but don't let it be; makeup artist Amber Dreadon uses the Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V: Bronze Seduction Palette, to create this look for MUNA’s Katie Gavin.
Just remember that some red pigments can stain the skin, so make sure to use an eye primer like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, or a colour-correcting concealer like NYX Professional Makeup 3C Palette, beforehand.
Embellished Inner Eyes
If you’re after something both minimal and festive, look no further than this example by makeup artist Maeng on Kazuha of K-pop group LE SSERAFIM. The main focus, of course, is the sparkly ice-blue dots of colour in the inner corners of the eyes, but the look is made complete with simple, thin winged liner and a subtle, glowy blush. For this particular look, Maeng uses the cult-favourite Lemonhead LA Spacepaste Glitter Concentrate, for the inner eye glitter and Etude Lovely Cookie Blusher in Grapefruit Jelly, for the blush.
Haute Chocolate
Not every gorgeous makeup look requires using vibrant colours and bold textures. Utilise the matte browns and taupes already in your collection to create a natural look that works for day or night, like this one on Zoe Saldaña by makeup artist Vera Steimberg. It’s perfect for going from the office Christmas party to the office Christmas after-party... and maybe even the after-after-party. Oh, and if you don’t have brown eyeshadow to hand, cheat your way to this look by using your go-to bronzer instead.
Ice Queen
Makeup artist Carly Giglio must be a Michelle Trachtenberg fan because this silvery, icy makeup look embodies the feeling of a winter blizzard. The cool-toned grey/blue shadow and brick shade of blush, such as Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush in Fox, paired with a fluffed bushy brow, is just cool enough to keep you warm at any festive event.
Pearl Princess
Makeup artist Kirin Bhatty's dreamy pearl look created for Lola Tung is a perfect winter party look. It's a little unexpected and playfully ornate, but not over-the-top. Not to mention, it’s actually pretty easy to replicate and a dream for those who may not be the most handy with a makeup brush, but still want to serve a true festive look. We adore the Half Magic Face Pearls, to create a style like this. You can use tweezers for more precision, but your hands will work fine for applying the pearls, too.
Vixen Isn't Just A Reindeer
The vixen eye, also called the fox or siren eye, in which you line the inner triangles of your eyes, has easily become one of the most popular eyeliner trends of the past few years. Nicola Peltz Beckham’s vixen eye done by Alejandre is paired with pearly white eyeshadow and a creamy pink blush using YSL Beauty NU Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint. For a similarly rosy flush, some other options are Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, and Saie Dew Blush.
Classic Christmassy Glam
When all else fails, go for the gold standard; a shimmering gold eyeshadow and red lipstick is the archetypal Christmas makeup look. As done by Avendaño, Stephanie Hsu dons an example of this festive classic with a twinkling champagne gold eye and a ruby red lip. For a similar look, try e.l.f Fine as Fleck Glitter Eyeshadow in It’s Glit, and Armani Lip Power Long Lasting Lipstick in Four Hundred.
Espresso Martini Eyes
This take on the halo eyeshadow look by makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan Fisher on Maude Apatow is perfect for getting together with friends over espresso martinis this holiday season. This old Hollywood sultry look comes from softly blending a dark brown on the outer edges of the eye with a shimmery caramel gold on the centre of the lid. The smoky look is completed with a brown eyeshadow pencil drawn and smudged in the inner and outer corners of the eyes, crease, and lower lash line.
Ethereal Disco Party
Bring the party to you à la makeup artist Linda Hallberg’s iridescent disco-ball creation. To master a similar look this festive season, try Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes, and an eye gloss like Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmic Collection Eye Gloss.
Y2K Snow Queen
This ethereal snow queen look Alejandre gives Rosalía is straight out of the early 2000s with its white and silver glitter eyeshadow and pink glossy lip. The ColourPop Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Makeup Palette in Blue Velvet, has all the colours you need to achieve this icy eye look. And for lip gloss, we love the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.
Gold Foil Eyes
We love this gentle bronzed blush look paired with a cool-brown lip and gilded eye. For a play on the classic brightening inner-corner highlight, add a golden metallic to your inner eyes. Avendaño proves this festive makeup add-on will brighten up your entire face, as shown on Isabela Merced.
Bejeweled Wings
We think gems and crystals can be worn for non-editorial, casual makeup looks, and we're obsessed with this sharp bejewelled vibe on Gabbriette by makeup artist Kali Kennedy. Place the gems on top of an exaggerated cat eye and add some below your brows for extra effect. We love using dynamic styles and shapes of crystals like Half Magic Iridescent Sparkle Self-Adhesive Face Gems.
A Burgundy Moment
We're still undecided on what we love more from this look by makeup artist Ash K Holm: Shay Mitchell's sultry taupe eyes or her creamy (and right on trend) burgundy-coloured lipstick. While we try to make up our minds, you can achieve a similar wine-coloured lip with Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick in Your Majesty, or Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Night Crimson.
Glittery Graphic Eyes
Want a more graphic eye look this Christmas? Use your glittery outfit as inspiration when you're in a makeup rut and extend a shimmery colour out towards your temples in a wing-like shape. Finish with a smaller black wing and lashings of mascara — look to this photo of Dove Cameron for inspiration.
Rose Gold Champagne
Move over gold and silver. Katie Jane Hughes pairs this gentle rose gold shimmery shadow with a bright, true red lip, and it screams Christmas without feeling like you belong in a Hallmark movie. What really makes this look stand out is the mascara. We love YSL Lash Clash Mascara, or ILIA Fullest Volumizing Mascara.
Cozy Caramel
This caramel-coloured makeup on Indya Moore by Emily Cheng is almost better than a cup of warm hot chocolate. We said almost. To achieve a similar matte eyeshadow look in one product, a liquid eyeshadow is your best friend. ILIA Liquid Powder Eye Shadow Tint in Tannin, and Lisa Eldridge Liquid Silk Eyeshadow in Gaia, will give you everything you need.
A Very Camo Christmas
Camo-coloured clothes are here to stay, and this olive-toned shadow look on Alexa Demie by makeup artist Kale Teter will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. Add a juicy lip oil, like Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss, to really make your eyes pop.
Oxblood Red Holiday
When you're getting ready for a holiday party, consider a deep oxblood lip colour. It’s just different enough from the standard red. Babsky uses Serge Lutens Matte Lipstick in M3, on Taylor Russel, but we also love Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Festival Magic.
Silver Meets Gold
If you can't choose between a gold eye or a silver look this holiday season, why not have a little bit of both? Gunmetal shadow is instantly more interesting when paired with a copper-coloured liner like the one worn by Jackie Aina. That gentle pop of brown really elevates the look as a whole.
Lively Lavender
We're not gonna lie — we've already started tucking away our vivid pastel colours from summer, but this lavender liner Babsky uses on Ruth Negga is proof that pastel is still in, even in the wintertime. It's topped off with the perfect nude shimmery lip.
Neon Hot Winter
A bright neon pink might feel off-season when it comes to our wardrobes, but this look on Dove Cameron by makeup artist Kale Teter is proof that it works on eyelids all season long — especially when using negative space. Glisten Cosmetics Wet Liner, is easy to use when recreating this look at home.
Cranberry Wine
It's officially time to pull out your vampy purples and make a huge statement at your New Year's Eve party. MonicaStyleMuse makes a strong case for the vampy, plum wine lip with this look, which you can try for yourself using Gucci Rouge a Levres Satin in Virginia Fleur de Lis.
Festive Smoke
Upgrade your basic smoky eye to a sultry one by adding a pop of color in your lower lash line, similar to Raye Boyce's. Under eyeliner has become a huge trend, especially for those with hooded eyes. Some of our favorite colored liners include NYX Retractable Long-Lasting Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil and about-face Line Artist.
Neon Hot Winter
A bright neon pink might feel off-season when it comes to our closets, but Lily Aldridge is proof that it works for our eyelids, all season long — especially when smudged with champagne-colored shadow. Make Up Forever's Aqua Resist Color Ink 24HR Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Pink Blaze and Suya Beauty's Hydra FX Liner in Neon UV Pink are two sides of the pink eyeliner spectrum, whether you want something more subtle, or a full neon sign on your face.
Glittery Wings
Bored with your basic wing? Avendaño adds some glitter in the middle of Olivia Rodrigo's cat eye to dress it up. This is a gorgeous, refreshing take on the negative space eyeliner trend that never seems to go away. We love Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Glitter Eyeliner and Half Magic Glitterpill Eye Paint + Eyeliner to make this look shine.
Winter Mermaid
Pack on a shimmery blue shadow in the center of your onyx smoky eye, like Avendaño does for Isabela Merced, to give it a mermaid vibe. Our favorite shimmery blues for a look like this include Sephora Collection Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow in Astral Blue, Iconic London Glaze Dual Ended Eyeshadow Crayon in After Hours and the shades in Juvia's Place Afrogalactic Eyeshadow Palette.
Simple Festivities
Keep a brick-colored lipstick (similar to this one Cheng used on Yara Shahidi for the 2018 SAG Awards) in your purse or desk for when you need to quickly vamp up your look before a date. Our go-tos are Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Lipstick in Girl Crush, Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick in Disorderly, Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte Slim Lipstick Makeup in More Rust, and The Lip Bar Nonstop Liquid Matte in, of course, Brickhouse.
Exaggerated Graphic Lines
If you wear this striking eye makeup look to an end-of-year soirée all eyes are going to be on your eyes. In addition to a standard eyeliner wing, continue adding graphic lines above and below your lids in a way that accentuates your natural eye shape. This look can be done with any number of colors, but we especially love the gunmetal lines and subtle neutral shimmer that makeup artist Allan Avendaño gives Cara Jade Myers.
Subtle Shimmer
Glitter doesn't have to be plastered all over your face to make a statement (but if that's what you're into, we also love that). Makeup artist Jenna Kristina gives Zoey Deutch this soft rosy brown glam that has the smallest hint of shimmer to make her face glow. To get the look, try Glossier Monochromes eyeshadow trio in Almond.
Winter Smoky Winds
When all else fails, you can never go wrong with a classic smoky eye, chiseled cheekbones, and pearlescent lip gloss like this glowy look done by pro artist Mali Magic. It's a go-to for a reason — we recommend a light, easy to wear gloss like Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb.
Aperol Spritz Eyes
The holiday season is a time for cocktails and festivities, and Aperol spritzes aren't just a summertime cocktail. This gorgeous orange and pink sunset eye paired with a magenta lip color on The Daily Show's Dulcé Sloan will still bring the summer even during the winter solstice.
Silver Sparkling Snow
Megan Fox has nailed looking like a snow angel thanks to an abundance of silver glitter and fluffy lashes. Try the Lemonhead LA Spacejam in Interstellar.
Golden Creases
We love this gentle bronzed blush look paired with a super bold eye. A play on the classic brightening inner-corner highlight, this look will completely up your game by adding an eye-catching yellow gold arch that extends from the inner corner of the eye along your crease. Makeup artist Lilly Keys Westbrook proves this festive makeup add-on will brighten up your entire face, as shown on Melissa Barrera. To achieve this look, start with a layer of sunny yellow eyeshadow, such as Victoria Beckham EyeWear in Sunflower, and top it with a warm gold, such as MAC Eye Shadow in If It Ain’t Baroque or NYX Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Lemon Slayed.
Glam And Gorgeous
Want to be the extra cousin at the family party? Just show up in deep purple lipstick and a bold cut crease look like Arshia Moorjani. Add a tiny bit of sparkle using a glitter shadow from Bodyography or TooD Beauty and dazzle everyone in your sights.
Magenta Magic
Pair a line of hot-pink liner, such as Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Ink Liquid Eyeliner like Mali Magic did on Ashley Blaine Featherson with a matching magenta lip color, such as Petal Bouche Matte Liquid Red Lipstick from Violette_FR to make your face the center of attention at Christmas dinner. We're dreaming of a pink Christmas, indeed.
Grunge Glitter
Not into clean-cut eye makeup looks? No problem. This festive look by makeup artist Alex Babsky for Lucy Boynton brings grunge and glitter. Start with a smudged smokey eye (the more unkempt, the better) and top it with some glitter in the center of the eye on both the upper and lower lids. Opt for either a less precise splash of sparkles or a more deliberate vertical line of glitter — think chic clown makeup.
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