12 Holiday Makeup Looks to Rock at This Year's Parties

The best part about the cooler season isn’t spiced lattes or warm knits, it’s all the holiday makeup looks we’re planning (and wearing). Unlike everyday makeup or even your typical night-out glam, festive makeup calls for something with a little extra oomph—think colorful eyeliner or shimmery lipgloss. There’s lots of room to experiment with new eyeshadow shades, lip combinations you wouldn’t normally reach for, or seasonal beauty trends piquing your interest. In short, makeup looks for the holidays is all about drama, glitz, glamour, sparkle, and best of all, coming up with a creative look that makes you feel confident. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a handful of easy holiday makeup looks to re-create all season long.

12 Makeup Looks For The Holidays

1. Dark Cherry Lips

A red lipstick never fails, but this year, trendy moody hues of red call for the perfect statement lip look. For a glamorous yet simple holiday makeup look, tie everything together using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick, which comes in 22 shades ranging from classic reds to pinky nudes. Le Plum Dominant is a perfect dark berry hue, and since the formula claims to have a 16-hour wear time, you won’t have to re-apply throughout the night. Before applying, prep your lips with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner to emphasize the color.

2. Champagne Shadow

If you want to try on a bold lip color but aren’t sure what to do for the rest of your makeup, adding glitter eyeshadow creates a pretty festive makeup look. A sparkly eyeshadow can feel daunting, but when paired with bright lipstick, it doesn’t feel as big of a statement. The L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow has a velvety texture that's easy to swipe on, and the Little Beige Dress and Petite Pearle are perfect neutral pearlescent shades.

3. Smokey Eyeliner

Holiday makeup doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply smoking out your eyeliner creates a sophisticated holiday eye makeup look that elevates your outfit with ease. Start by lining your upper and lower lash line with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Eyeliner in the color of your choice. Take a fluffy brush and blend it into the outer corner of your eye. To finish the look, top off the lashes with a swipe of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara.

4. Gemstone Details

Picture this: You’re heading out of the house in a rush but your festive eye makeup look is missing something and you just can’t put your finger on what it is. It’s likely a touch of sparkle, and adding stick-on gemstones can be an easy way to add texture and shine to any holiday party eye makeup look. For a quick look, draw on shadow using the L’Oréal Paris Le Shadow Stick in a shade of your choice and top with rhinestones around the lash line and outer corner.

5. Extra Blushed Cheeks

There’s no such thing as blush blindness when creating a festive makeup look. A strong foundation before adding blush is key—we recommend priming with the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up To 24H Pore Minimizer before adding any complexion products. After blending in your foundation, tap on the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush for a reflective glow that’ll make your holiday makeup look stand out.

6. Soft Bronzy Eyeshadow

Soft bronzy eyeshadow is a simple holiday makeup look that works for every occasion, and once you try it, it’ll become a staple in your glam routine. Best of all, it’s really simple to re-create. All you need is a matte brown eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eyeshadow Monos Eyeshadow in Matte-ison Avenue, and apply it all over your eyelid. Then, you can add personal flair with eyeliner (we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner), and mascara.

7. Cranberry Glowy Glam

If cranberry sauce is your favorite seasonal dish, you’ll love the look inspired by the moody berry tone. A glowy complexion is key to re-creating this holiday glam makeup look, so start by mixing your foundation (the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation is a great option) with the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, Face and Body for a dewy complexion. Then, add a berry eyeshadow of your choice and pair it with a similar color on the lips using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick.

8. A Classic Red Lip

You can’t go wrong with a classic red lip. The style has been a staple for festive makeup looks for decades and always looks polished. While a matte red lipstick is usually what you think of when it comes to red lipstick, a jelly sheer tint or a red lip liner and clear gloss can create a similar put-together effect. Lucky for us L’Oréal Paris has a handful of red lip products, including the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le-Rouge Avant Garde.

9. No-Makeup Makeup

Although holiday makeup calls for experimenting with shimmers and color, for an easy holiday makeup look, a no-makeup makeup look is essential for low-key get-togethers and casual outings. Instead of a full-coverage foundation, opt for a lightweight instead using the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Concealer all-over. Brush up your brows with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up To 24H Brow Lamination gel for effortlessly fluffy brows and finish the look with a brown mascara for a more natural finish, such as the L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Washable Mascara.

10. Colorful Mascara

If you aren’t a fan of bright eyeshadows and bold eyeliner looks colored mascara is a great option. Using a mascara other than black or brown adds an unexpected pop of color to any festive eye makeup look. For example, instead of topping your smoky eye with black mascara, try a blue or purple color. The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara makes their signature formula in cool Cobalt Blue and Deep Violet shades.

11. Nude Overlined Lips

Every soft glam lover knows the power of a nude overlined lip. There’s something about a full pout that is a major confidence booster that even makeup minimalists can get behind. What’s more, doing so in a nude palette creates an easygoing your-lips-but-better look that can complement a bolder holiday eyeshadow look. Gently overline right about the lip line using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner and fill in your lips with lipstick, gloss, or stain of your choosing.

12. Holiday Pastels and Matte Skin

The matte makeup renaissance is here, and when paired with a matte pastel shadow, you have a simple yet stunning holiday makeup look. Start with a matte foundation such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up To 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder and set it with your favorite powder. Cover your entire lid with a bright eyeshadow, like a frosty blue or sugarplum pink, using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eyeshadow Monos Eyeshadow. Set it all in using the L’Oréal Infallible 3-Second Micro Fine Setting Mist.

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Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris