The halls are decked, the trees are topped, and it’s time for your holiday makeup to match the season’s sparkle. Whether you’re going for a polished, glamorous look for the office party or a playful, glittery vibe for a night out with friends, winter is the perfect time to experiment with bold colors, shimmery accents, and festive finishes. Below, we’ll explain how to do holiday makeup that stands out and introduce you to some of our favorite products for your holiday makeup looks. So settle in, grab a mug of cocoa, and get ready to shine at every holiday celebration.
Gold Holiday Makeup Looks
Gold is a go-to shade for holiday makeup because it’s both festive and flattering, adding warmth and luminosity to your skin even in the coldest months. It’s no surprise that gold frequently appears in holiday party makeup looks: besides being perfectly on-trend, it gives your features a radiant glow that looks stunning at any event, from cozy candle-lit dinners to festive New Year’s Eve celebrations. Here are three ways to incorporate this gilded hue into your holiday makeup.
Glamorous golden lids and red lips
Nothing says classic holiday glam like a golden smokey eye paired with a red lip. Gold and red are a festive, timeless combination—the warm shimmer of gold eyeshadow enhances your eyes, while a bold red lip adds instant drama and sophistication.
Start by priming your eyelids to ensure long-lasting color and smooth blending. Using a blending brush, sweep a medium-toned neutral shade from your lash line to just below the crease. Next, buff a darker hue into the crease from the outer corner inward, blending in circular motions for a seamless gradient. Add extra depth at the outer corner if desired. Then, apply a shimmery gold eyeshadow, such as the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Glitzy Guava, just above the crease, diffusing up toward the brow bone. For extra sparkle, dust gold in the inner corners and beneath the brow. Finish your eyes with a light mist of setting spray to lock in shimmer and ensure all-day hold.
Complement your eyes with a bold red lip. Choose a red that matches your undertones: cool reds work best for cool undertones, while warm reds flatter warm undertones beautifully. Use a tool like our Virtual Try-On to find your perfect match, then swipe on a long-lasting, pigmented formula like Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick, which comes in a range of hues from fiery orange to deep berry-browns.
Glittery gold eyeliner and bold brows
Experiment with gold eyeliner for a more minimalist approach to your holiday party makeup. This look is perfect if you want something understated yet festive—subtle shimmer on the eyes draws attention without feeling overdone. It’s simple to create but still makes a sparkling impact, giving your holiday makeup a polished, celebratory vibe.
For an easy, festive pop of sparkle, glide a gold eyeliner pencil, such as the Holiday Candy Swirl Eyeliner in Spice Spice Baby, along your upper lash line. Keep it simple for a subtle holiday shimmer, or extend the line past your outer corners, creating a dramatic wing for extra impact.
To balance the shimmer and pull the look together, define your brows with a tinted gel. A few swipes can fill, shape, and sculpt your arches for a polished finish. Our The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler is perfect for crafting lush, enviable brows that complement the understated sparkle of your eyes—and the long-wearing formula delivers up to 16 hours of non-sticky, flake-free hold.
Shimmery gold lips
Perk up your pout with metallic gold lipstick, which is surprisingly wearable in shades like yellow gold and rose gold. To let your gilded lips truly shine, keep your eye makeup minimal—subtle shadows and soft liner ensure that the focus stays on your lips, preventing the overall look from feeling too heavy or competing for attention. This approach creates a balanced, modern holiday makeup statement that’s festive yet wearable.
If an all-over metallic lip feels a bit bold, you can ease into the trend with just a touch of shimmer. Try swapping your lipstick for a shimmery gold gloss, such as the Jelly Job Full-Bodied High Shine Gloss in Glow Job, or simply highlight your Cupid’s bow with a gold highlighter (we love the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick in Apple Pie).
Psst: Reflective shimmer placed on the Cupid’s bow is one of our favorite tricks to give the illusion of fuller lips.
Wintry Makeup Looks
Blue and silver shades are perfect for holiday makeup inspired by snowy landscapes, evoking frosty, ethereal vibes that feel distinctly wintry. While anyone can wear whatever makeup they choose, these cool-toned hues tend to be most flattering on those with cooler complexions, bringing out natural brightness and contrast. This palette offers a fresh alternative to warm golds and bronzes, letting you create looks that feel icy, magical, and perfect for the season.
Frosty blue eyeshadow
Light, frosty blue eyeshadow evokes the magic of softly falling snow, making it perfect for an easy, wintry holiday makeup look. To recreate this effect, try the Ultimate Glow Shots in Blueberry Baller, applying the buildable color to your lids and blending it out with your finger for a soft, luminous finish. If you prefer powder eyeshadows, there are several blue shades to choose from in our Ultimate Shadow Palette in Vintage Jean Baby.
For extra impact, lightly line your lower lash line and add a touch of color to the inner corners to brighten your eyes. For all-night wear, we suggest using a waterproof eyeliner pencil, such as the Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Silver Lining.
Icy highlighter and glossy lips
Highlighter is a holiday makeup must-have because it instantly adds luminosity and dimension, making it perfect for festive occasions, from cozy family gatherings to glitzy holiday parties. Its versatility means you can go subtle for daytime events or layer it for a radiant evening glow. And because it’s the festive season, you can get away with going a little heavier-handed than you normally would.
Start by prepping your skin with a moisturizer and a hydrating primer (steps that are always important, but especially crucial during the dry winter months). Then, enhance the high points of your face with an icy white highlighter, like the Buttermelt Highlighter in Bright & Butta. If you have dry skin or prefer cream highlighters, we suggest the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick in Vanilla Ice Cream. Blend along the tops of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and under your brow bone. For an extra wintry touch, you can also sweep it onto your collarbone and décolletage.
Complete the look with bold, glossy lips in a soft rose or shimmery pink hue. Right now, we’re big fans of the Butter Lip Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in She Got Money, a bold—but wearable—sparkly hot pink shade.
Rhinestone accents
Stand out in a sea of partygoers by adding adhesive rhinestones or crystals to your holiday party makeup. There are countless ways to rock these glam stick-ons, but our favorite is accenting the corners of your eyes or tracing the natural curve of your brows for an extra sparkle. Feel free to get creative—placement is totally up to you, and the holidays are the perfect time to experiment.
We especially love pairing rhinestones with bold, colorful eyeshadow. Try our holiday-exclusive Holiday Gingerbread Palette, which features 10 pigment-packed shades, from rich, warm matte browns to shimmery plums and vivid golds.
How to apply adhesive accents safely:
- Prep the skin by cleaning and lightly drying the area.
- Use a small amount of lash glue or specialized face glue to secure each rhinestone.
- Avoid sensitive areas like directly on the eyelid or waterline.
Red and Green Christmas Makeup Looks
You didn’t think we’d skip over the quintessential Christmas duo, did you? Red and green are iconic holiday shades, and, when done thoughtfully, can feel festive and elevated rather than over-the-top. To keep your look polished, balance the color intensity—try pairing one bold element with a softer complement, like a striking red lip with a subtle green shimmer on the eyes, or a vibrant green cut crease with a more neutral lip. These combinations will have you jingling through every holiday event in style. Keep scrolling for some inspiration.
Red and green Christmas glam
Typically, we recommend focusing on one feature at a time, but for the holiday season, we can make an exception. Green lids paired with red lips create a festive, show-stopping combination that doesn’t require an elaborate technique—the colors do all the work.
Start by choosing your most flattering red lip based on your undertones: cool reds for cool or neutral complexions, warm reds for warmer skin tones. Then, emphasize your eyes with a festive green eyeshadow, such as the Ultimate Glow Shot Liquid Eyeshadow in Kiwi Killa or Watermelon Wealth.
For a subtler take on the trend, try using the green just as an eyeliner while keeping the rest of the eye neutral. We love the Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil in It’s Giving Jade—the rich, dimensional olive hue has a subtle hint of golden shimmer for a festive twist.
Red and green cut crease
A red and green cut crease is one of our favorite ways to amp up makeup for a holiday party. A cut crease involves applying one eyeshadow to your eyelid and a contrasting shade to “cut” across the crease, creating a bold, defined look that’s easier to master than it seems.
Start by applying an eyeshadow primer, then choose whether green or red will be your base—both are available in the Ultimate Shadow Palette in I Know That’s Bright. Use a soft, flat brush to sweep the base shade across your lid. Next, take a flat, angled brush and apply the contrasting color along your natural crease. Blend the color upward and outward, keeping the bottom of the cut crease line sharp for definition. If you need help creating a clean line, hold a spoon over your eyelid to guide your placement.
For extra holiday glam, line your lashes with the classic matte black Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner and add a set of fluttery falsies using our Jumbo Lash! Longwear False Lash System. Finish with a long-lasting lip color, such as the Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain in Red-y. Set. Wet. and get ready to turn heads.
Editor’s tip: Try pairing a bold green lid with a neutral crease and sheer red lip gloss for a less dramatic, more approachable take on the cut crease trend.
Sparkly red lids and green liner
Here’s another fun way to play with Christmas-inspired color in your holiday makeup. Apply red glitter to your eyelids and define your lash line with green liner for a sparkling, playful look that comes together in just a few minutes.
We recommend the Ultimate Glow Shots in $trawberry $tacked for the glittery lid and the Vivid Brights Colored Liquid Eyeliner in Ghosted Green for the bold green liner—together, they’re a festive match made in holiday heaven. For a flattering finishing touch, add a cold-air flush to your cheeks with a dewy liquid blush, such as the Fat Cheeks Juicy Liquid Blush in Dragon Fruit Drip.
New Year’s Eve Makeup Looks
For New Year’s Eve, the stakes are high—glamour, sparkle, and staying power all matter. Late-night celebrations call for makeup that can withstand hours of dancing, champagne toasts, and photos under bright lights, all while fitting easily in a small clutch for touch-ups if needed. Ring in the new dawn with eye makeup that rivals the brilliant kaleidoscope of the iconic ball drop.
Chunky glitter lids
Our unofficial motto for New Year’s Eve: the more bling, the better! Start by applying a vivid matte eyeshadow such as the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Blueberry Pop or Eggplant to your eyelids, then layer on loose glitter for maximum sparkle. The matte base helps the glitter appear more saturated and prevents it from settling into your crease. To help your glitter stay put, apply a thin layer of our Glitter Primer over your shadow before patting on the loose glitter.
If you prefer shimmer over chunky glitter, reach for the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow. The lineup includes 21 shimmer-packed shades that provide up to 12 hours of flake- and fallout-free wear—perfect for late-night celebrations.
Sparkly eyeliner and defined lips
For show-stopping holiday party makeup looks, sometimes all you need is a pop of sparkle and a bold lip. Start by lining your upper lash line with a glittery eyeliner, such as the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Flashy Flare, extending slightly at the outer corners for a subtle wing. Add a touch of highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes to make them appear brighter and more festive.
Keep your eye makeup otherwise simple to let the liner shine, then define your lips with a long-lasting lip liner that’ll hold up throughout the night. We recommend the Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain, which provides all-day (or all-night) smudge-proof, transfer-proof, and waterproof wear. Use it to define your natural lip shape or overline slightly to make your pout look a touch plumper. Finally, fill in your lips with a lipstick slightly lighter than your chosen liner—the contrast creates a contoured effect that helps enhance your lip shape. For all-night wear that won’t budge (even if you sneak in a kiss at midnight), try the Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick. For a glossy look, the Duck Plump High-Pigment Lip Gloss is great—just keep in mind that glosses will typically need to be touched up as the night goes on.
Tips for Long-Lasting Holiday Makeup
Whether you dash to your bed at 12:01 AM or party well into the night, here are some ways to midnight-proof your holiday makeup for extended wear.
Holiday makeup looks are only as good as the foundation they’re built on. Priming your skin—and eyes—is key to long-lasting makeup, especially if you’ll be dancing the night away. Primers create a smooth canvas and help products adhere, and you can choose formulas tailored to your skin concerns, from plumping and smoothing to hydrating. For extra longevity, finish with setting powder and setting spray so your makeup stays in place for hours.
Before you start: Prep checklist
To ensure your makeup applies smoothly and evenly, follow these tips:
- Cleanse and moisturize your skin thoroughly.
- Apply a face primer, like The Face Glue Gripping Primer, and use an eye primer if you plan to wear eyeshadow.
- Ensure your makeup brushes and sponges are clean for a seamless application.
Emergency touch-up kit
If you plan to be out for an extended period, stash a mini holiday makeup set in your bag for touch-ups throughout the night. If you don’t have a set, then pack your bag with the following:
- Blotting papers to absorb excess oil.
- Lipstick or lip gloss for quick top-ups.
- Mini setting spray to refresh your look and help prevent smudging or transferring.
When it comes time for touch-ups, use a makeup sponge rather than a brush to reapply powder—it absorbs oil without disturbing your existing makeup. Keeping these essentials on hand ensures your holiday party makeup stays flawless well past midnight.
Next Up: 8 Graphic Eyeliner Looks To Make Your Eyes Pop
Have you perfected your holiday makeup look? We’d love to see it! Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
PRODUCTS USED
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JUMBO MULTI-USE HIGHLIGHTER STICK
Ultra-smooth, pearl finish stick highlighter
Jelly Job Full-Bodied High Shine Gloss
Hyper-glossy, cherry-scented lip gloss offering smooth, juicy shine in 16 shades
THE FACE GLUE GRIPPING PRIMER
Up to 24h hydrating and gripping makeup prepping glue
Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss
Plumping gloss with spicy ginger in 18 shades
Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick
16H Full-Bodied Matte Liquid Lipstick
Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain
Ballpoint felt tip lip liner for precise, no-bleed nude perfection in twelve shades
