From Sugarplum Eyes to Berry Glam Lips, Holiday 2023’s Makeup Trends Are All About the Drama

The pros fill us in.

What’s on your holiday agenda this year? Is your planner packed with parties and events or are you looking forward to some much-deserved downtime? Perhaps you’re throwing a gift exchange with your besties or hosting the family for the first time. Maybe you’re heading out of town for New Year’s Eve and want to know which makeup products to pack for the ball drop celebration or want to pump up the glam for a low-key party at home. Whatever your plans may be, you’ll want your makeup to suit the occasion. After all, the holidays are a time for celebration and togetherness, and you can easily convey that via your choice of eye shadow and lipstick. 

If there was ever a time to let your love of tinsel-like glimmer and megawatt sparkle shine, it’s the holidays. “Holiday makeup is usually the time of year [when] people experiment with looks that are a little more fun and glamorous than the rest of the year,” says Sarah Tanno, Global Artistry Director for Haus Labs. “The possibilities are endless, and it’s always fun to see people enjoying new makeup looks with confidence.”

“Who doesn’t love a little sparkle and glitz?” agrees Celebrity Makeup Artist Vincent Oquendo. “I think it’s an excellent reason to have fun with your makeup and experiment with colors and textures you normally shy away from in your everyday makeup routine.”

“Generally, I think of holiday makeup as an exciting opportunity to just add a hint of glamour to your look that you usually wouldn’t,” adds Vanessa Eckels, Hourglass Cosmetics Director of Global Artistry and Training. “It’s such a celebratory time of year with so many gatherings, so why not elevate your makeup to match the festive feel?”

Holiday Disco

When in doubt, a metallic finish will instantly upgrade your makeup, even if you’re running from the office to dinner. “This year, I’m seeing people pumping up the volume on their makeup,” says Tanno. One simple way to do so is with a glitter or chrome shadow popped on the center of your lid or your brow bone. “It’s a quick way to glamorize your look in under a minute,” says Tanno, who likes Haus Labs’ Eye Library Eyeshadow Palettes ($49) for their plush matte neutrals combined with three chromes. “Take any of the shiny chrome shades and pat into the center of your lid or under the brow bone with a fingertip.”

Simple Seduction

You know what they say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Celebrity Makeup Artist Jillian Dempsey loves the contrast between a subtle, minimal base and eye with a vibrant jolt of holiday-ready red lipstick—a timeless, sophisticated vibe that always feels relevant. Her red lip of choice for your work party or cocktail celebration is Chanel Rouge Allure L’Extract($58) in 857 Midnight Red, which she calls “a real beauty for this look.” Dempsey advises pairing it with her line’s Lid Tint ($28) in Shell all over the lid and a coat of FLYK Trick Mascara ($26). Give your face a hint of definition with contour; Dempsey likes Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Contour Powder ($48), which comes in three shades.

This look sounds fast and simple, but it’s not totally foolproof; that red lip requires a little concentration. “If you want an incredibly accurate application for a red lipstick, use the Smith Cosmetics 302 Lip Brush ($21),” says Dempsey. “The precision on this brush shape delivers the perfect angles in hard-to-draw areas on your mouth.”

Cabernet Eyes

Take your beauty inspiration from the bar cart this year. “During the holidays, you often see mulled wine. I personally like to cozy up with a nice glass of rich red wine,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “For holiday, I feel like it’s all about being high impact but still elegant. I’ve been loving a burgundy or red winged liner with a wash of a sparkly shimmer shadow.”

Red is having a major moment, and it works equally well on your eyes as it does on your lips. Take a baby step into the trend with a burgundy mascara; Spickard’s picks are from Charlotte Tilbury, Lancôme, and Dior. “They all have gorgeous burgundy mascaras that you could wear alone or layer on top of black mascara on the ends for an ombré look,” he explains.

Another easy way to experiment with darker red shades is with eyeliner. “With a winged liner, you can go with a more subtle flick if you want to keep it classy or go super dramatic if you want to take it over the top,” says Spickard, saying Charlotte Tilbury’s Walk of No Shame Eyeliner ($29) is a go-to. “For eye shadow, do a wash of your favorite glitter eye topper like the shades in the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette ($68).” Depending on how dramatic you want the final look to be, pair your wine eye with a matching burgundy lip or a soft glossy nude.

Eckels is also a fan of the berry or burgundy eye. “I think of rubies and gemstones as inspiration–a glittery elegance that’s also timeless and modern,” she says. “Shimmery, alluring eye makeup or a bold lip come to mind first.” To get the look, Eckels recommends prepping lids with Hourglass Veil Eye Primer ($30), and then tight-lining lashes with a deep black gel liner before topping with a brown shade like Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner ($28) in Chestnut. Then, top with a shimmering garnet shade like the brand’s Curator Eyeshadow Refill ($29) in Pow.

Nude Drama

Channel Twiggy and other ’60s icons with a flirty and fun taupe eye and clumpy, chunky lashes. “This look features nude hues that add a cozy feeling to your makeup during the colder months,” says Dempsey. “It involves a round-shaped eye with a soft taupe definition under lower lashes and in the crease while leaving the rest of the eye minimal without much else.” Dempsey recommends using a taupe shade on the crease of the eyelid and under the lower lashes.

For the retro-chic lash look, Dempsey recommends using her line’s FLYK Trick Mascara and pinching your lashes together using the stamp tool for the clumpy effect. “The stamp allows you to pinch lashes together and helps them appear fuller and longer,” she explains. Keep your brows simple and brushed up with a touch of gel and add a delicate pale lip; Dempsey loves Chantecaille’s Lip Veil($52) in Rock Rose. “This look is perfect for hosting or more intimate holiday plans.”

Berry Glam Lips

One of Tanno’s favorite trends is also super easy to do without the help of a celebrity makeup artist. The shiny bold lip is made to party, not fade away after your first glass of cocoa or champagne. “It’s an easy focus feature that anyone can achieve,” she explains, citing Haus Labs’ Atomic Shake Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick Duo($39) in Burgundy Shine as her must-try reco. “It’s a deep, rich burgundy that has transferproof shine, which means it’s partyproof and kissproof.” To use the Lip Lacquer, shake it for 10 seconds to activate the formula. Then apply one coat to dry lips and don’t touch them or rub them together for 30 seconds to let the color set. After the party, remove with an oil-based makeup remover.

Bold Lips & Frosted Eyes

Oquendo likes the combo of a vampy red lip and frosted eyeliner to mimic the colors and textures of the season. “A red lip is always a holiday favorite because it has a way of brightening up your complexion, and a frosted eyeliner has a way of bringing out your eyes,” he explains.

Oquendo recommends pairing these two statement elements with “supple, radiant” skin; his pick is Tula Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint Sunscreen ($42), applied with a damp Beautyblender sponge. For a classic red lip, Oquendo likes Victoria Beckham’s Posh Lipstick ($38); not only are the colors gorgeous and long-lasting, but the packaging is extra chic for holiday events, so consider it a gift to yourself. To frost your eyes in shimmery color, he recommends starting with Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($24) in black or brown for structure, and then lining over top with Stay All Day Smudge Stick ($22) in Vivid Smoky Quartz.

Sparkly Siren Eyes

The shimmery, wet-look siren eye trend shows zero signs of slowing down and was practically tailor-made for New Year’s Eve. Eckels advises taking the TikTok trend up a notch by combining it with a traditional smoky eye. To get the look, prep lids with primer, and then tightline lashes with a black gel line and smudge it out. “After smudging the top of the lid, take the excess and smudge the bottom of the lash line,” advises Eckels. Apply Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow ($29) in Ash, a smoky gray, all over the lid and atop your liner, and then apply a transitional shade to the crease and blend. Layer a sparkly, shimmery glitter shadow like Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow ($30) in Smoke to the top and finish with mascara.

Sugarplum Beauty

Visions of sugarplums will be dancing in everyone’s heads after they see you looking this gorgeous. “It’s all about embracing the enchanting allure of plum-inspired shades with frosted shine finishes,” explains J. Brandon Correa, National Makeup Artist for YSL Beauté. “It captures the essence of winter magic and adds a touch of whimsy to your look.”

To start, apply a thin layer of YSL Beauté’s Nu Halo Tint ($28) in Rosy Quartz to the eyes, lips, and cheekbones, and then layer Nu Lip and Cheek Balmy Tint ($28) in Chills, a soft plum, to the lips and cheeks for a natural flush. Correa recommends topping the lip with Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick ($39) in shade 2, a baby pink, for a multidimensional finish.

On your eyes, Correa likes the Babylon Roses Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette ($68) for that frosted enchanted ballerina look. Apply atop the Halo Tint base, applying the soft plum shade to your crease and outer corners and blending them to enhance your eye shape. Define the eye with a black liner and blend it into the plum shadow for a smoky effect. Once you’re done, Correa recommends tapping a shimmer shadow on the center of your lid, and then topping the entire eye with a sparkly topper shade for extra twinkle. “When it comes to brushes, I recommend using synthetic brushes, as they will lay down the shimmers with precision,” says Correa. “Feel free to use your fingertips to tap on the shimmers as well for a fuller pigment placement with no fallout.” Finish with mascara like Lash Clash Extreme Volumizing Mascara ($29) in Noir and grab your dancing shoes (wooden Nutcracker toy sold separately).

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