Break out of your routine with some fun holiday makeup looks that you’ll be able to sport at cocktail parties, family gatherings and other festivities. The holidays are perfect for experimenting with your makeup, giving you a chance to brighten up your look in a new way.
Holiday Eyes
Eyes are often the focus of holiday makeup look because they are one of the easiest features to play up.
Green or Red Eye Makeup
Green and red are classic holiday colors, but just choose one to dress up your eyes for a festive look that isn’t cliché. Choose jewel tones or shimmer formulas. Highly pigmented shadows and liners work well to really make the eyes pop.
Use a rich green eyeliner along the top lash line in a thick, dramatic line that wings out slightly at the end of the eye. This is a change from the standard black or brown liner, but still looks elegant. Pair it with a champagne eye shadow and black mascara.
Maroon, brown-red, or deep berry colors can work for a unique smoky eye, and are especially great colors for blue-eyed gals. If the red color seems to be too much, temper it by blending grey eye shadow and adding grey liner for a look that’s still bold, but also dramatic and sexy.
Use a sheer wash of either a red-based or green-based eye shadow along the top lid only, sweeping the shadow out to extend to a slight “V” at the corner of each eye. Finish with black or brown mascara.
Metallic Eye Makeup
Metallic and glitter eye makeup looks can really spice up your look in a festive and fun way.
Try glittery, pearl or metallic-shimmer eye shadow. These will offer sparkle without looking garishly glitzy.
Add gold or silver eyeliner to any makeup look. Make sure to wear mascara if you use this eyeliner alone to keep the eyes from looking washed out and to add definition.
Work a metallic smoky eye. Simply use your choice of silver, gold, bronze, copper or other metallic color to create a smoky eye, but line the top eye with black eyeliner for definition and drama.
Snow Angel Eyes
White eye shadow, or off-white colors like cream or champagne, can look lovely and romantic. You can make white eye shadow the basis of the eye makeup, by using a high-pigment shimmer white shade on the top eyelid, or just use it to add a bit more ethereal appeal with small touches. Used at the inner corner, it can highlight and brighten. Used to highlight the brow bone, it can help make the eyes appear larger.
Baked Beauty
Consider rich, warm, colors to accentuate your eyes, such as: Gingerbread, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Spice and Chocolate brown.
An advantage to these slightly spicy neutrals is that they look naturally beautiful and work well for holiday events where less drama is called for.
Bright Blush
Pink and rose tones work well for most skin tones and a light application is probably all you need if you’re planning on highlighting either your eyes or mouth. A cream-based blush can help your skin look fresh and dewy.
Classic Red
There is a flattering shade of red lipstick for every woman; just make sure the base color is right for your skin tone. If your skin tone is cool, you ‘ll most likely need a red lipstick with a blue undertone. If your skin is warm-toned, you’ll need an orange-based red lipstick.
To keep red lips looking vibrant all night, use a lip primer and line the lips with a coordinate lip liner prior to applying your lipstick.
Gorgeous Gloss
Even if the rest of your makeup is on the simple side, a quick swipe of gloss instantly adds glamour. Wear clear or light-colored gloss if you have heavier eye makeup. If your eyes are on the lighter side, you can choose a more colorful gloss. Berry shades, purple-based hues and candy pinks are all fun colors to try.
More Holiday Looks
24 karat gold lips: Give your mouth a flirty finish with translucent gold lipstick, worn alone or over your everyday lip color to give it added shimmer.
Luminescent skin: Apply a face gloss anywhere you want extra sheen, such as cheeks, lips and down your nose.
False eyelashes: For an added touch of glamour, try individual or strips of false eyelashes for a lush, fun look.
Three Last Tips
Never play up both the eyes and the lips; pick one or the other.
Do not be afraid of bold makeup colors.
Exfoliate your lips by applying an eye cream and following up with a light scrub using a toothbrush or washcloth.
