Here in Australia, our Christmas and holiday season is hot.
This means there’s less time spent sipping eggnog and singing carols around a fire, and more time spent at poolside soirees, sipping a spritz and celebrating silly season and the start of summer (time to crack out the summer skin care, if you haven’t already).
And with holiday parties, comes holiday glam, which calls for glitter, a good red lippie and a Christmas makeup moodboard to turn to for event makeup inspo.
So we’ve curated a smorgasbord of the best party season makeup looks that’ll see you from end-of-year work drinks to Christmas Eve and right through to New Year’s Day. Scroll on for our favourite beauty looks that’ll inspire your holiday glam…
The best holiday makeup looks
Something Blue
Last year we embraced the Christmas palette with green eyeshadow and a wash of coral on the cheeks. But this year, it’s all about the blue. Whether you’re opting for a subtle pop of blue on the water line or inner corner, or perhaps going all out with a blue chrome eye look, the hue is sure to add some ’70s flair to any party glam.
Try a blue eyeliner such as the Revolution Streamline Waterline Eyeliner Pencil in ‘Light Blue’ ($10 at Priceline) for a subtle splash of blue.
Ombré Lips
Ditch the monochrome lippie and liner duo, and instead opt for an ombre lip look. To nail the trend, you’ll need two or more hues of lipstick and deeper shade of lip liner. It does take a while to blend for a seamless ombré finish, but the result is well worth it. The best part? It works with any colour palette, from nudes to red and everything in between!
Want to recreate this look? We recommend the M.A.C Cosmetics Lip Pencil in ‘Plum’ ($37 at M.A.C) paired with Revlon’s Super Lustrous Luscious Mattes Lipstick in ‘Pick Me Up’ ($15.39 at Chemist Warehouse) for a velvety, almost-nude ombré lip.
’70s Liner
The ’70s resurgence is well and truly in full swing. And sticking with the theme, it’s time to sharpen up your eyeliner skills and recreate the Cher and Twiggy-inspired looks of your dreams. Double-winged liner is easier than it looks – especially when you have the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner ($37 at Sephora) on hand.
Classic Red
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is making a serious case for rebranding party season ‘red lip season’ (with a touch of gold shimmer, of course). First things first – you’ll need to perfect your red lipstick technique to ensure your pout remains kiss-proof all evening long.
We reach for the M.A.C Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in ‘Ruby Woo’ ($37 at M.A.C) for a flawless wash of red in just one coat.
Pop Of Shimmer
Because who doesn’t like a touch of sparkle? And, quite frankly, a Christmas makeup look without a little glitter is boring. Add a subtle shimmer above the crease like Jodie Comer using the E.L.F Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow in ‘Bling Bling’ ($5.30 at iHerb) or opt for a full metallic eye look with the Makeup By Mario Master Metallics™ Eyeshadow Palette.
And in case you’re wondering, this palette makes for the perfect Christmas gift for the girl who has everything…
Soft & Smokey
Don’t worry, the not-so-humble smokey eye isn’t going anywhere this silly season. It has, however, had a glow-up. Stick with softer hues such as taupes and mauves to create a more sultry, smoked-out look.
We love the Covergirl Clean Colour Eyeshadow Quad in ‘Mellow Mauve’ ($13.39 at Chemist Warehouse) paired with the Rare Beauty All Of The Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick in ‘Contentment’ ($39 at Sephora) for a subtly glowy smokey eye.
Main image credit: @nikki_makeup & @sydneyjharper
Which of these beauty looks would you most like to try?!
Look the cheekbones on all these models
stunning aren’t they Rinny
I love metallic lids. Bit of a sheen but hate formulas with glitter particles. I think this just tipped me over to buy the liner from Rare Beauty!
the overdone blush just makes me laugh
It reminds me of Bridget Jones!
Can’t go wrong with a classic red lip
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Not too keen on the exaggerated blush look. Maybe for a model or runway but I’m not sure it would work in practice (although a very subtle hint of blush might be okay).
It reminds me of that scene from Bridget Jones where she applied too much blush and people were staring at her, not in a good way.
The exaggerated blush, reminds me of that scene from the movie.
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yes I blush easily too so not for me
Id love to try the cream shadow, interesting colours i wonder how it will turn out on me
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yes you can !!
We’re going to have a quiet Christmas, so I’m only going to need a very subtle, minimal look… that said, many of these look great.
I love a subtle, minimal look!
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Not a fan of any of these looks
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I just started learning makeup but I seem to be very clumsy. Where can I start studying this course.
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Wow, another Nicki Minaj!
Hang on, what is this link?
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I can pull off the class red lip.
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yes you can !!
I like Dewy Metallic Lids.It looks fantastic.
ahah same here
very classy
I wanna be in bed. haha
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I love the Lancome Blush Subtil, such a great product.
Those Bobbi Brown cream eyeshadows look fab 🙂
Oh my goodness Something Blue is so beautiful. But most of these women are beautiful as well.
I agree they all are the bees knees
it is stunning
Classic red lipstick, so gorgeous
They all look stunning !!
I love the classic red lip
Lots of pretty options
I like pop of shimmer, so fun!
All really pretty
Love those Ombré Lips
I like the way the makeup looks on the models.
The blue eyeliner looks strangely affective.
The Touch of Blue is so me. I love my blue eyeliner
Not too keen on glitter. I prefer the natural look. I wouldn’t feel comfortable made up like these models. I wouldn’t mind their “perfect” figure though 🙂
I love the smokey look but I just can’t pull it off
I don’t think I’m a red lip or blue eyeliner kind of girl. Nice on others though.
So beautiful inspo here forsure
THese are mostly bold looks – they look great, but I’m not sure I could wear them.
My favourite is the soft and smokey look.
Nothing beats a classic red
Ombre lips!
Good time to experiment with a new look and these are all lovely
I know this is about eyes, most are nice but the lips..classic red is too much for me; I prefer the muted colours the first, second and last
Some cute looks here.
I think these lovely ladies would look fantastic whatever look they decided on
I’ve noticed a lot of ombre lips looks. I’ve been doing a double wing lately.