45 Makeup Looks Perfect for All Your Holiday Plans This Season

Can you feel it? It’s that subtle shift in the air that says the holiday season is upon us—and with it comes the opportunity to set new goals, shake up our looks, and guarantee we glow through the next 365 days. The best way to start? By embracing the festive feel of the holiday season with makeup looks you’ve always wanted to try—whether it’s glittering lips, the perfect no-makeup makeup look, or super-sparkly eyes. So get ready to channel your celebratory vibes with lots of champagne shimmer, unexpected pops of color, velvety red lips, and so much more.

If you need a little inspo to get started, we’ve got you covered with some gorgeous, glam holiday makeup looks featuring your favorite makeup artists and beauty creators, including Angel Merino (a.k.a. @mac_daddyy), Yuri Sinata, Melissa Hernandez, Micaela Klein, and Bianca Alexa—just to name a few. Continue reading for 45 of our favorite holiday party makeup ideas to have you shining through the holidays. These looks won’t stop being in style once New Year’s Eve comes. Consider this your one-stop guide for all things festive, holiday, and wintery in the name of beauty.

1. Futuristic Glam

What better way to kick off the holiday season than with a look that’s  equal parts futuristic and red carpet glam. With a sweep of rosy shimmer, deep burgundy graphic liner, and a pop of coral-red on lips like DOUCCE Luscious Lip Stain in Holiday Getaway, it marries more than one of the year’s most buzzy beauty trends, and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you wear it. New to burgundy? Here’s an easy guide to wearing burgundy eyeshadows and more.

2. Soft Romance 

Phoebe Dynevor’s name may be synonymous with romance, but this beautiful apricot-nude monochromatic makeup look takes it to the next level. Don’t rush the skin prep for this one—hydrated skin is key for that dewy glow. Prepping with a luminizing primer like this one from DR. BRANDT should be considered a secret complexion perfecting weapon. Then, reach for a creamy blush that melts into skin (read Our Best Cream Blushes for inspo ) and tap it onto your cheeks, lips and lids for your easiest holiday party makeup ever.

3. Poppin’ Pink Lips

Our go-to party rule? When in doubt, go for pink. A pop of bright pink lipstick  will instantly brighten up your look and give you that ready-to-dance vibe. The best part? You can keep the rest of your makeup light and glowy like Jaidoesit here, so the focus is on your beaming skin and pretty lips.

4. Cosmic Chameleon

Shimmery green, a touch of orange, yellow-gold—all complemented by the glossiest lip we’ve seen this side of the galaxy. This far-out makeup look gives us so much to look forward to when it comes to showing off our bold side this year. Keep skin bare with a hint of pinky blush like PATRICK TA Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush in She’s Passionate high up on your cheekbones, blend highlighter onto your nose and brow bones, get ready to ring in 2023 absolutely stunning.

5. Metallic Red Liner

When it comes to beauty trends, to us, metallics are forever. Another reason we’re excited? We’re seeing them all over the 2023 runways. This shimmery, metallic red graphic eyeliner look is one of our favorite ways to wear it. Pair it with a super-nude lip and it’s the perfect statement eye to pair with glam dresses, sparkly pant-suits, and everything in between. (Never tried red eyeliner? Get inspired with our Guide On How to Wear Red Eyeliner.)

6. Soft Silver Shimmer

Here it is, proof that silver eyeshadow can be soft, romantic, and impactful. This flirty-meets-glam eyeshadow look will take you seamlessly from work day to happy hour holiday party. And with pinky, coral lips and blush it’s a pretty holiday party look you can use all year-round.

7. Glitter Cat Eye

For party makeup inspo, celeb makeup artist Katie Jane Hudges’ Insta is like hitting a gold mine. Think glitter eyeshadow, shimmer, bold colors, and heaps of naturally beautiful looks, too, that you can wear anywhere. This gorgeous cat eye with chunky gold glitter weaves in our fav 90s trend (that’s totally making a comeback) with a slightly mod effect that’s nothing less than eye-catching. Wanna DIY? Apply a glittery eyeshadow as a base like ELOISE BEAUTY Glitter Jewels Liquid Eyeshadow in Bronze, then top it with glittery gold and silver. If you’re seeking even more glow, top your cheeks off with the TYPOLOGY T31 Glow Drops. Not only is it the best shimmer even, it contains skincare worthy ingredients like vitamin c and aloe.

8. Red, Glam, and Blue

There’s something decidedly romantic about this deep rose lip and those powder blue lids. The unlikely pairing has a subtle hint to 80s glam, but the winged out eyes and matte-meets-pearlescent finish on lips makes it right at home at any modern-day soiree. We love BOBBI BROWN Luxe Lip Color in Uber Rose for a rich, rosey dose of color. If you’re wanting something a bit more glossy for your pout - opt for the E.L.F Glow Reviver Lip Oil in the color “Jam Session”.

9. Lip Gems

From all-out-glam looks to quick subway tutorials, makeup artist Tainá Talzi is always inspiring us to step out of our comfort zones and live boldly—and these stunning lip gems are the perfect example. Strategically placed gems on lips give you instant party vibes that are so pretty for the holiday season (or every season). 

10. Perfect Vinyl Red Lip

The runways have spoken: Vinyl-effect lips are a huge 2023 beauty trend—and we can see why. The ultra-glossy, latex-like effect these give will instantly glam up your entire look, even if you go classic and minimal with the rest of your makeup. If you don’t have a vinyl lip color on hand, reach for your glassiest, glossiest gloss, like HAUS LABORATORIES Le Riot Lip Gloss in Werk, and layer it on like crazy for shine so bright they’ll need shades.

11. Smoky Cut Crease

PSA: You don’t have to pile on dark eyeshadow to get that sultry, smoky eye effect. This gorgeous cut-crease defines, elongates, and puts all the attention on your eyes with just a few products. Use a charcoal eyeliner or eyeshadow and blend alone your lower lash line, then trace the curve of your eye just above your eye crease. Connect at the outer corner of your eye and blend to soften. A little nude shimmer eyeshadow, like ORYZA Nude Shimmer & Contour Eyeshadow, on lids and you’re good to go.

12. Gleaming Bronze and Nude

Creamy, dreamy skin,nude lips, and a softly smoked out eye—it’s the work-to-party makeup look we can’t get enough of. For a natural-looking highlight that still puts all eyes on you, place it just where the light would hit your face, like on your temples, high points of cheeks, and down your nose. Then, get ready to glow all night. Looking for your forever highlight? Our list of top 20 highlighters will help you meet your match.

13. Soft Pink Haze

Here’s another totally unique makeup look we want to wear everywhere by Katie Jane Hughes. Holiday party makeup doesn’t just mean silver, gold, and glitter. Take the opportunity to experiment with out-of-the-box shades that’ll inspire you to go confidently into the New Year. We’re loving this soft pink monochromatic look that you can create with just one or two products. Next time you find a pink makeup shade you love? Get creative and apply it on your lids, lips, and cheeks. Lately we’ve been loving this Sheer Blush from ICONIC LONDON. It enhances your skin for the dewiest wash of sheer color and stays all day. 

14. Barbie Pink

Maybe we’re secretly wishing for Margot Robbie’s skater-Barbie outfit, or maybe we’re just hyped that 90s trends are coming back full-force—but this shocking pink makeup look has us hitting save on all things pink lately. And we are not sorry. Just blend neon pink onto your lids and lower lash lines, reach for your brightest Barbie-pink lipstick, like BELLAPIERRE Mineral Lipstick in P.I.N.K., and swipe that on fearlessly. Pair it with a pink pant-suit and be the center of attention at every party. Whatever you do, channel your inner Barbie vibes and be unapologetically gorgeous. Love neon makeup? Check out our Trending Neon Makeup Looks.

15. Frosted Lids and Pearls

Delicate pearls, but make it edgy. With a few sweeps of that frosty white eyeshadow you never know what to do with, you’ll have instant Swan Lake vibes. Use eyelash glue to dot on these tiny pearls, and wait for the compliments to roll in. 

16. Galactic Silver

We love a futuristic makeup look to ring in the New Year (See: Look #1). It reminds us to look forward and embrace all the adventures that lie ahead. This metallic graphic eyeliner does just that, with perfect swoops of metallic silver we can’t take our eyes off of. To create it, trace your eyeliner with LOVE+CRAFT+BEAUTY Gel Line Eye Pencil in Piercer and then top it with a liquid metallic formula.

17. Red Smoky Smudge

Red and gold for the holidays? We know, groundbreaking. But when you sweep it onto your lower lash lines, it’s fresh and exciting all over again. You can use your favorite red eyeshadow, or an eyeliner pencil, and an eyeshadow brush to smudge it out for that slightly smoky effect. Go for a wash of gold across lids, lush lashes (If you’re not into false lashes, we love TARTE Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara), and keep the rest of your makeup minimal so your eyes pop.

18. Rhinestone Accents

We support rhinestone makeup every day of the year. But during the holidays? We beg to be graced by their beauty. A little eyelash glue is all you need to secure these babies from happy hour to well past midnight. Use an eyeliner pencil to dot on your pattern, drop a tiny dab of glue on top, then use an orange stick or tweezers to apply them where you like. It’s a perfect party detail you can add to just about any holiday makeup look.

19. Allover Orchid

Who says purple-pink shades need to be used on lips only? We’re obsessed with the one-swipe liquid shadow wonder that is ABOUT-FACE Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Dionysus. Swipe it across both lids, then blend the edges with your fingers—no brushes required. Nervous about pulling off a unique color like this on your lids? Keep the pigment below your crease, that way you’ll get just a hint of pink when your eyes are open.

20. Celestial Skin

This trend is all about an out-of-this-world glow with sparkles that can be seen from space. Using a large powder brush, dust some more highlighter on the high points of your face, like your cheekbones, brow bone, and Cupid’s bow for added glow. Finally, embellish your cheeks with a handful of star-shaped sequins and eyelash glue and pop on INC.CREDIBLE COSMETICS Crystal Rollerball Lipgloss Duo for added shine.

21. Jewel Tones

If metallic green shadow doesn’t say holiday party makeup, we don’t know what does. Pro tip straight from Melissa Hernandez: start with black. Use a rich black liner, like the Fuerte shade from this TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Intenso Liner Duo, to create your shape. Any shadow you add on top will be much more vivid. Keep scrolling to see exactly how Melissa Hernandez created this look.

22. Pretty in Pink

Never underestimate the power of a monochromatic look created entirely with a single hue. All-pink makeup looks romantic and totally effortless. Using your finger, pat LANCÔME Le Monochromatique on your lids for a poppy flush of pink. Next, using the large powder brush from the F.A.R.A.H Gold Face Brush Trio, dust a little of your pink shadow on the apples of your cheeks for a rosy wash of color. Finish your monochromatic look with a coat of a matching pink lipstick.

23. New-Age Classic

This look is all about the glitter lips, so apply your foundation and concealer as usual and skip the eyeshadow altogether. Instead, opt to contour your lids with a shade slightly darker than your skin tone blended into the crease. Apply two coats of UOMA Badass Icon Lipstick in Diana and top with a red (cosmetic-grade!) glitter for an epic lip look.

24. Under Liner

Unlike most liner looks, this cat-eye is all about the lower lash line. To get this level of drama, accentuate both the outer and inner corners when drawing on your winged liner. And remember, makeup remover and a Q-tip are your best friend when creating a graphic lid look. Here’s how @ohitsbreee crafted this holiday party makeup look.

25. Pastel Palette

Yes, you can rock pastels year round. And yes, this baby blue lid eyeshadow look is at the top of our holiday makeup Pinterest board. Starting with a white base (like a white cream shadow pencil) will really help your pastel colors pop—matching baby blue hat, nails, sweater, and sky not required.

26. Glow From Within

If you ask us, this luminous, no-makeup makeup look is as timeless as they come, which is why we love it for a no-fail holiday makeup look. In all honesty, this radiant complexion really starts with the right skincare, but once you have that base going, amp up your glow with a wash of neutral shimmer shadow across your lids (we’re obsessed with BELLE EN ARGENT Shimmer Taupe Eyeshadow Duo in Callsheet + Production) and of course a glow-boosting highlighter on all your highpoints. Try M2Ü NYC Luminizer in Futurity for a realistic, ethereal glow.

27. Shimmery Wings

Fact: We love shimmer. And this romantic, shimmery cat eye by Sinata proves that a little sparkle goes a long way. It’s soft enough to wear day or night, and lights up your whole face when your eyes catch the light. To create it, sweep a mix of matte shades from COMPLEX CULTURE Full Time Eyeshadow Palette: The Party Edit all over your lids and shimmer shades onto the inner corners and center of your lids. Then, use an angled eyeliner brush dipped in deep brown eyeshadow to create soft wings. For a step-by-step tutorial from the artist herself, check this out:

28. Blue Velvet

Stand out in a crowd of winter whites with this super-pigmented, single-hue eyeshadow look. To amp up the pigment power of your SMITH & CULT Book Of Eyes Palette, spritz the shadow with your favorite makeup setting spray and, using your finger, pat color onto your lid. For a holiday-ready look, apply the brightest color in your palette from your lash line past your crease. For a smoky finish, use a thin eyeshadow brush to smudge the same color along your lower lash line. Skip the blush and lipstick, opt for a clear gloss on your lips instead and let your eyes do all the talking.

29. Shades of Pink

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it a million times: We’re suckers for pink, which is why we’re in love with this pink-on-pink look. Start with a magenta across your lids (use a cream shadow or wet your eyeshadow brush before dipping into a powder to get this full-on pigmented look), then finish with a coat of deep pink liquid lipstick.

30. All That Glitters

New Year’s Eve may be different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sparkle—(finally!) welcome 2022 with a gorgeous beauty look that says you’re ready to wow all year long. Hernandez created this plum halo eye with a glittery spotlight in the center for a show-stopping look. Start by adding eyeshadow (Hernandez used the Redwood shade from COMPLEX CULTURE Full Time Eyeshadow Palette: The Party Edit) on the inner and outer corner of your eye, leaving the center bare. Repeat on the lower lash line. Using a fluffy blending brush, diffuse the edges using windshield wiper motions, then add shimmery shadow in the center of your lids. Finish off with mascara. Watch Hernandez’ full sparkly eye tutorial here:

31. Golden Glow

We’re all about the glossy, wet-look trend—but have you tried a molten golden glow? This look by Merino is basically wet-shine makeup’s ultra-glam sister—and it’s perfect for bringing the sparkle to this holiday season. To create it, Merino blended a matte peachy-nude eyeshadow into his eye crease, then used his super pigmented ARTIST COUTURE Diamond Lights Finisher in Golden Hour all over his lids (it’s made of loose pearl pigments wrapped in silicone that literally melt onto your skin when warmed up). Finish with mascara and lots of highlighter—and baby, you are golden.

32. Copper Cat Eye

Give your cat-eye a seasonal twist with a rusty metallic color instead of your usual jet black. On your bottom lid, tight-line with shimmery gold pencil, like TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Intenso Liner in Grounded. Keep your face matte, cap it off with a soft brick lip, and you're good to go. To bump up this metallic liner look, use an angled eyeshadow brush and a richly pigmented eyeshadow (like IL MAKIAGE Color Boss Multi-Dimensional Eye Color in News Flash). Spritz your brush with a makeup setting spray before application for the cleanest, ultra-precise line.

33. Negative Space Liner

If there’s one beauty lesson we’ve learned for Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, taking a risk with your look always pays off. Exhibit A: this negative space winged eyeliner that has us leaping with excitement. Using an eyeliner pencil, trace out the shape of your regular cat-eye, then extend the end of the wing up and in toward the crease of your eye, connecting both ends at your inner corners. Buff over those lines with a small shadow brush to blur the harsh edges. Finish with a pop of pink on your cheeks (try DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY Vision Flush in Bread-N-Butter), and you’re ready for a gold medal.

34. Royal Flush

This burgundy metallic eye and matching rich blush (brought to you by DANESSA MYRICS BEAUTY Vision Flush in Tiara) has us swooning and searching out closets for the perfect red velvet holiday dress to match. Here’s how she got her glow:

35. Icy Fuchsia

This bright fuchsia eye look will make your eyes pop thanks to the highlighter and iridescent powder on the center of your upper eyelid. Combined, you get an overall cool, icy vibe. It’s not too over-the-top for your office Zoom holiday party, but it’s still plenty sparkly enough to awaken your holiday spirit. To get this look, try the hot pink shade from TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Divine Diosa Shadow Quad.

36. Next-Level Neutral

Subtle taupe and shimmer eyeshadow shades take this no-makeup makeup into holiday look territory (find everything you need in TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Vibrant Sol Shadow Quad). Swipe the shimmer eyeshadow across your eyelids, work the matte shade into your crease, and blend everything together with a fluffy shadow brush. The trick to getting the definition we all love even with a minimal look like this is to play up your lashes. A few coats of TARTE surfer curl™ volumizing mascara should do the trick.

37. Mulled Wine

This sultry, glossy lip captures all the warmth and spice of cozying up with a glass in front of the fireplace—just more glam. Layer a dark cherry red lip lacquer across your lips, and all you need to finish this look is a ORYZA Royalty Shimmer Palette and a few coats of mascara for an easy smoky eye.

38. Smoky Gold

You can't do a holiday makeup guide and not include the universally-flattering glittery gold eyeshadow. Not only does this gold eye makeup look super flattering on a variety of skin tones, but it’s also great for hiding dark circles around your eyes by catching the light and illuminating your entire eye area. No need to be precise: swipe this shadow all over your eyelid, up into and slightly past your eye crease, and onto your lower lash line, add a coat of volumizing mascara, and you’re ready to rock a glittery holiday makeup look.

39. Frosty Lids

You know the happiness you feel during the season’s first snow? This look is that experience in makeup form. It's a gorgeous contrast for those with darker skin tones, but it also complements cooler-toned light skin tones, too, making it a stylish choice for ringing in the New Year. Let the focus be on your eyes, and keep your lips simple with just some balm (you can define the shape first with a neutral lip pencil, like VINTAGE BY JESSICA LIEBESKIND Cashmere Lip Pencil in Mocha).

40. Berry Wash

This look holds onto that glow you get from laughing until your cheeks hurt with the people you love most. With shimmery berry blush (try COMPLEX CULTURE Good Glow Blush Duo in Spiced Up + Be Content) on your lids and cheeks, and rosy shades on your lips (we love SERAPHINE BOTANICALS Cranberry + Dew - Dewy Lip Remedy), this sheer, your-skin-but-better look is perfect for any time of day or occasion. It's also a fast look to pull together for pics before the mad dash to open presents.

41. Opal Lids

Our favorite part of this opalescent, iridescent lid look: depending on how the light hits your face, you’ll see a different color. It shifts from blue to purple to silver in the more stunning optical illusion that will have all eyes on you during your holiday party.

42. Snatchural Glam

Take it from Khloé Kardashian’s makeup artist Ash K Holm, snatchural glam is where it’s at. It falls right in that sweet spot between no-makeup makeup and full-on glam. Create a soft smoky eye using neutral shades in matte finishes, sculpt your cheeks with gorgeous blush and highlight, then finish with a swipe of your favorite lip gloss.

43. Ombré Red

Stop sleeping on lip art! From blurred, French-inspired red lips to siren lips and even an ombré effect, like the above, let your lips do all the talking during your holiday parties this year. To get the look, start with a lip liner a few shades deeper than your lipstick, then outline your entire lip line and fill in the corners. Then, pop your lighter lipstick just in the center of your lips. Use a clean brush or your finger to lightly blend out the edges to create a gradient effect.

44. All About Mattes

The glittery, metallic, shiny makeup looks are in abundance this time of year (exhibit A: 90 percent of our roundup!), but an allover matte makeup look for the holidays can be just as beautiful. Stick to a latte-like color palette and look for matte or satin finishes to tie everything together.

45. Graphic Green

Who says red and green need to remind you of your great aunt’s Christas sweater?! This modern take on a classic holiday color combo feels fresh and youthful, making it the perfect vibe for any festive party. Create a graphic, stacked-liner look using your favorite green eyeshadow and a damp liner brush to create a liquid-like formula, then top it all off with a pinky-red glossy lip. 

Looking for more holiday inspiration and color cosmetics that match? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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