38 Christmas Make-Up Ideas That Bring The Party No Matter Your Plans
Your one-stop guide to gild, glitz and ultimate festive glamour.
If there were ever a hall pass for everyday beauty rules, Christmas would be it. Whether you're a disco glitter fanatic or veer on the side of a classic red lip, treating yourself to a joy-inducing festive make-up look is the feel good self-care move we need during these final winter months. Forget the agonising choice between a bold lip or statement eye, or swatch testing highlighters for any exiled glitter content, there's no better time to experiment with glimmer, gold and gloss than December's array of festive events.
Whether you're curled up on the sofa or dancing 'til sunrise, our edit of Christmas make-up ideas has all the elegant and eclectic runway-ready glitz you'll need for a stunning party season (plus a few insider tips.)
Dries Van Noten
Christmas wouldn't be complete without a dash of gold and this gilded glamour is no exception. Dazzling across all eye shapes and shades, this 24-karat colour takes festive drama straight to the bank.
Jil Sander
Foiled silver eyeshadow is a festive fail safe, particularly if precision isn't your forte. A simple abstract stroke across the lids will add an instant dose of metallic glitz, without any of the tedious blending.
Philosophy
If a perfectly contoured red lip looks a little too 'done' for you, we recommend keeping this cool girl ensemble effortless and lived-in by blotting away excess product and veering away from heavy liner.
Giorgio Armani
This enchanting look requires a single stamp of glitter; let the lashes and isolated lustre do the talking. No clean up commitment, no time consuming application and absolutely no fighting off rogue shimmer until the New Year.
Vivetta
Tired of sporting a classic cat eye? Switch out sweeping inky strokes for strategic crystal placement or alternatively, cheat the look with a softer glittered liner. All the twinkle without any additional effort.
Mark Fast
Skip the sheer shine and subtle shimmers, this high voltage eyeshadow is what party season is all about. After all, when else can you wear 360° glitter?
16Arlington
Waterlines are a make-up underdog. A layer of light-reflecting colour across your lower lashes will transform smaller eye shapes, while a smouldering black liner is the key to keeping smoky eyes sexy. For Christmas, try a silver or baby blue tone beneath bare eyes for a subtle hint of snowflake shimmer.
Peter Do
After a year of bleaching, shaving and nineties style tweezing, turning to tinsel-toned glitter seems rather mundane in the current era of brow styling.
Off White
A curated boost of colour below your lash line is a sure fire shortcut to festive party make-up. With the right eyeliner (think emollient blend and striking pigment), a quick scribble-and-smudge will work every time.
Tory Burch
Mirrorball eyes are the dance floor appropriate shadow look you'll be sporting from Christmas to New Year.
David Koma
A little less Monroe and a little more mulled wine, swerve the typical festive reds with a sophisticated blackened burgundy, à la Wednesday Addams.
Atlein
From dolphins to glazed doughnuts, this year has truly marked an evolution in high-shine skin-first make-up. And while you'll never catch us saying no to glittered lids and graphic liners, there's something about that dewy glass skin finish that looks effortless and ethereal all year round. Glacé cheeks, anyone?
Botter
Forget tacky glue and gritty pigments, Botter's intergalactic pout is giving nostalgic glitter lips a much needed glow up.
Cormio
TikTok has declared the 'cold girl' December's beauty muse, and with a heavy-handed sweep of baby pink blush and all-you-can-buy lip balm behind her, we're fully onboard.
Givenchy
Goodbye blush, hello bleach. Givenchy's dialled back base and brows draw all the attention eyes front. Use a lengthening mascara to pinch lashes into clusters for adorable doll eyed finish.
Genny
Eyeshadow has transcended its rigid 'shimmer on the lid, matte in the crease' placement just in time for Christmas. Try a dusting of lavender on the temples, eyes and ears for a festive frosted finish.
Carolina Herrera
Still searching for that ever flattering Christmas lipstick but can't land on a red that suits? This glamorous hybrid hue toes the line between a classic ruby and a hot pink, complimentary across every complexion and bang on trend for 2022.
Bora Aksu
Think minimalist make-up is cool? This one-step mascara look is frosty to say the least. Winter wonderland, we're coming for you and your lashes.
Laruicci
If a classic red lip feels a little too safe, try a spectacular graphic liner in a similar letterbox shade.
Theophilio
A glistening eyeshadow placement in a ballerina-worthy shade at is delicate festive make-up at its finest.
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