The holiday season is the perfect time to experiment with makeup looks that are fun, bold, and full of festive spirit. Whether you’re attending Christmas parties, family gatherings, or virtual events, your makeup can be a creative outlet to celebrate the season. From classic red lips to intricate designs inspired by holiday symbols, there’s no shortage of festive ideas to try.
In this post, we’ve gathered 11 creative Christmas makeup looks that will inspire you to elevate your beauty game this holiday season. From simple and elegant to dazzling and playful, these looks will help you stand out and make your Christmas celebration even more magical.
So grab your favorite makeup products, and let’s dive into these festive looks that will surely bring out the holiday cheer in you!
1. Classic Red Lip and Winged Liner
Nothing says Christmas quite like a classic red lip paired with a sleek winged liner. This timeless look exudes elegance and glamour, perfect for any festive occasion. The bold red lip serves as the focal point, while the winged liner adds a touch of sophistication and drama.
To achieve this look, start by selecting the right shade of red lipstick. For a traditional holiday vibe, opt for a true red with blue undertones, which complements most skin tones and makes your teeth appear whiter. Use a lip liner in a matching shade to outline your lips and prevent feathering. For the winged liner, precision is key. Use a fine-tipped liquid liner to create a crisp line that extends outward into a perfect flick.
Finish the look with flawless skin and minimal eye makeup to let your lips and liner shine. A little mascara and a touch of highlighter will complete this classic, yet festive, makeup style that works for both day and night events.
2. Glitter Eyes and Nude Lips
If you’re looking to make a statement without going overboard, glitter eyes paired with nude lips is the way to go. This look brings sparkle and glam to your eyes while keeping the rest of your makeup subtle and balanced. Perfect for evening parties or New Year’s Eve celebrations, glitter eyes are always a hit.
To create this look, start by applying a neutral eyeshadow as a base. Then, use glitter eyeshadow or loose glitter on your eyelids for that festive sparkle. To ensure the glitter stays in place, use a glitter adhesive or primer before applying the glitter. Blend the edges of your glitter with a soft brush to avoid harsh lines. You can keep the rest of your eye makeup minimal with just a hint of eyeliner and mascara.
Pair your sparkling eyes with a nude lipstick to balance the look. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone—whether it’s a warm beige, pinky nude, or taupe. This combination allows your eyes to take center stage while maintaining a chic, polished appearance.
3. Frosted Ice Queen Look
For those who want to embrace the winter wonderland theme, the Frosted Ice Queen makeup look is a perfect choice. This ethereal look features icy blue hues, frosted highlighter, and metallic lips, evoking images of snowflakes and frost-kissed skin.
To achieve this look, focus on cool tones like icy blues, silvers, and whites. Start by applying a shimmery blue eyeshadow to your lids, blending it with a silver or white shade toward the inner corners for a frosted effect. To make your eyes pop, consider adding a touch of silver or metallic eyeliner. Finish off the eyes with false lashes for a dramatic, queenly appearance.
For the skin, opt for a luminous, dewy base with a frosted highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bones, and the tip of your nose. The key to this look is to give your skin a radiant, glowing finish, as if it’s been kissed by winter frost. To complete the look, choose a metallic lipstick in a frosty pink or silver shade to tie everything together. This magical makeup is perfect for winter events or themed holiday parties.
4. Candy Cane Liner
For a playful and festive twist, try a candy cane-inspired eyeliner look. This fun design features red and white striped eyeliner that mimics the beloved holiday treat. It’s the perfect way to add a whimsical touch to your makeup while still keeping things stylish and creative.
To create the candy cane liner, start with a basic black or nude eyeshadow as the base to keep the focus on the liner. Then, using a fine-tipped red liquid eyeliner, draw a winged line as you normally would. Once the red line is in place, take a white liquid liner or face paint and carefully add thin stripes along the red line to create the candy cane effect. Make sure to keep your lines clean and evenly spaced for the best result.
This eye-catching look pairs well with neutral lips and a glowing complexion, allowing the liner to be the star of your makeup. You can even add a touch of sparkle to your inner corners or under the brow to enhance the festive theme. It’s a fun and creative look that’s perfect for holiday gatherings, office parties, or even Christmas Eve dinner.
5. Gold and Green Christmas Glam
Nothing screams Christmas more than the combination of gold and green. This luxurious, regal makeup look is perfect for holiday parties or special occasions where you want to channel the classic colors of the season with a glamorous twist. The gold adds warmth and opulence, while the green brings in the Christmas spirit.
To create this look, start by applying a rich green eyeshadow to your lids, blending it into the crease. Use a golden shimmer or metallic eyeshadow in the inner corners of your eyes and across the center of the lid to create a glowing effect. You can also use a gold highlighter on your brow bone and inner corners for added luminosity. If you’re feeling bold, line your lower lash line with a metallic green eyeliner for extra drama.
Pair this bold eye look with soft, glowing skin and a warm nude or peachy lip. Use a light dusting of bronzer and a golden highlighter to add warmth to your face. This combination of rich, festive colors will leave you looking sophisticated and ready to celebrate in style.
6. Rudolph Nose and Glowing Skin
Bring out your playful side with a Rudolph-inspired look that features a cute red nose and glowing skin. This whimsical makeup idea is perfect for casual holiday gatherings, especially if you want to add a touch of humor while still looking radiant.
Start by creating a flawless, glowing complexion. Use a dewy foundation and a liquid highlighter to add luminosity to your skin, focusing on the high points of your face like your cheekbones, brow bones, and nose. For the Rudolph nose, use a red cream blush or face paint to create a soft, circular shape at the tip of your nose. Keep it subtle and cute, ensuring it’s not too overpowering.
Pair this playful look with minimal eye makeup and a nude lip, allowing your glowing skin and adorable red nose to be the main focus. This look is perfect for family gatherings or themed holiday parties where you want to embrace the spirit of fun and joy.
7. Bold Holly Berry Lips
If you’re a fan of bold lips, then a deep berry lipstick inspired by holly berries is the way to go. This striking color is a beautiful alternative to the classic red, offering a richer, moodier vibe that’s perfect for winter.
To pull off this look, start by prepping your lips with a hydrating balm, as darker colors can emphasize any dryness or cracks. Use a lip liner in a matching berry shade to outline your lips, ensuring a crisp, defined edge. Then, apply a rich, matte or satin-finish berry lipstick. For extra dimension, you can add a touch of gloss in the center of your lips.
Keep the rest of your makeup simple to let your lips shine. A subtle eyeshadow in neutral tones, paired with mascara, is all you need. Add a light dusting of highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones to complement the bold lip. This look is perfect for evening events and adds an elegant, festive touch to your overall appearance.
8. Snowflake Eyeliner
Bring a touch of winter wonder to your makeup with delicate snowflake eyeliner designs. This intricate and detailed look is ideal for those who love a creative challenge and want to incorporate holiday motifs into their makeup.
To create this look, use a fine-tipped white liquid eyeliner to draw tiny snowflakes around your eyes. You can place them at the outer corners or along the lower lash line for a subtle, whimsical effect. If freehand drawing seems daunting, you can use stencils or stamps to achieve perfect snowflakes. Pair the snowflake designs with soft, frosty blue or silver eyeshadow to enhance the winter theme.
This look pairs beautifully with a nude lip or even a light pink gloss to keep the focus on your eyes. It’s a fun, artistic makeup idea that’s perfect for holiday photoshoots or themed parties where you want to embrace the spirit of the season in a unique way.
9. Bold Red and Green Eyeshadow Look
For those who love vibrant, dramatic makeup, a bold red and green eyeshadow look is the ultimate festive statement. This makeup idea takes inspiration from traditional Christmas colors and turns them into a daring, fashion-forward eye look.
Start by applying a red eyeshadow to the outer corners of your eyelids and blend it toward the middle. Then, apply a green eyeshadow to the inner corners and blend it into the red to create a seamless gradient. To avoid the colors mixing into a muddy hue, use clean brushes and blend carefully at the transition points. You can add a touch of gold shimmer to the center of the lid for extra festivity.
Pair this bold eye look with a soft nude or pink lip to avoid overpowering your face. For the skin, stick with a matte finish to balance the vibrant colors on your eyes. This look is perfect for those who love to make a bold statement and aren’t afraid to play with color.
10. Christmas Tree Lashes
For a truly creative and festive look, why not turn your lashes into mini Christmas trees? This fun and quirky makeup idea involves decorating false lashes to resemble Christmas trees, complete with tiny ornaments and glitter.
To DIY this look, start with a pair of thick, dramatic false lashes. Using small beads, glitter, or tiny rhinestones, carefully glue them onto the lashes to mimic ornaments. You can even add a touch of green eyeshadow to the lashes themselves to give them a tree-like appearance. For extra sparkle, dust some glitter along your lash line or apply a shimmery eyeliner.
This playful look is best paired with minimal eye makeup and a neutral lip to keep the focus on your decorated lashes. It’s a perfect choice for fun holiday events where you want to show off your creative, festive side.
11. Festive Face Gems
Face gems are an easy way to add some sparkle and holiday cheer to your makeup look. Whether you opt for rhinestones arranged in snowflake patterns or glittery gems along your cheekbones, this is a glamorous way to stand out at any Christmas event.
To apply face gems, start with a clean, well-moisturized face. Use cosmetic glue to adhere the gems to your skin, placing them strategically around your eyes, on your temples, or along your cheekbones. For a holiday twist, arrange the gems in festive shapes like snowflakes, stars, or holly leaves. Pair the gems with glittery eyeshadow or a metallic highlighter to enhance the sparkle.
This look works well with a simple, dewy complexion and a soft lip color, allowing the face gems to be the star of the show. It’s a glamorous, festive choice for Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or even winter weddings.
Tips for Long-Lasting Holiday Makeup
To ensure your festive makeup lasts through all the holiday celebrations, it’s important to use the right products and techniques. Start with a good primer to create a smooth base for your makeup and help it stay in place. A setting spray is essential for locking in your look, especially if you’re wearing glitter or bold colors.
For glitter, use a specific glitter glue or adhesive to prevent fallout, and consider using waterproof products to avoid smudging during long events. If you’re going for bold eyes or lips, balance the look by keeping the rest of your makeup simple and refined. Finally, don’t forget to bring touch-up products like a compact mirror, setting powder, and lipstick for quick fixes during the night.
Conclusion
Christmas is the perfect time to have fun with your makeup and experiment with new, festive looks. Whether you prefer classic elegance, bold colors, or playful designs, there’s a Christmas makeup idea here for everyone. Don’t be afraid to get creative, and remember to share your holiday looks on social media!
Happy holidays, and may your makeup be as festive as the season itself!
