The holiday season is the perfect excuse to have fun with makeup. Christmas isn’t just about gifts under the tree or cozy sweaters it’s also about celebrating in style.
If you’re attending a family dinner, joining a festive office party, or just taking photos by the Christmas tree, your makeup can set the mood.
During this time of year, we often see looks filled with shimmer, bold colors, frosted tones, and playful touches that feel magical. It’s not about looking perfect—it’s about feeling festive, confident, and joyful.
If you’re unsure what look to try this holiday, here are 13 Christmas makeup ideas that will help you shine bright this season.
Which Christmas Makeup Look Matches You?
Your Perfect Christmas Makeup Look Is:
1. Classic Red Lip + Winged Eyeliner
The red lip is the ultimate Christmas makeup move. Pair it with a sleek winged eyeliner, and you instantly look elegant with minimal effort. Start with a smooth base, then keep your eye shadow soft and neutral.
Draw a sharp cat-eye with liquid or gel liner, making sure both wings match. Add mascara or fluttery lashes for balance. Finally, swipe on a rich red lipstick matte for boldness, satin for a softer glow.
This combo is timeless, powerful, and instantly festive.
2. Metallic Eyes (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
If you want your eyes to sparkle like ornaments, metallic shadows are your best friend. Start with an eyeshadow primer so the shine stays in place all night.
Sweep gold, silver, or bronze across your lids, blending softly into the crease. Add a darker matte shade at the corners to create depth. Finish with eyeliner and mascara to frame your eyes.
Keep lips soft and nude so your eyes remain the star. Metallic shades reflect light beautifully, making them perfect for parties.
3. Glitter & Sparkle Eyeshadow
When in doubt, add glitter—it’s basically Christmas magic in makeup form. Start with a neutral base shadow, then apply glitter glue to your lids.
Pat on your favorite sparkly shadow, focusing on the center to create a twinkling effect. Keep your eyeliner simple so the glitter stands out. Pair with long lashes for maximum impact.
To balance the sparkle, go for a nude or rosy lip. This look is playful, fun, and instantly makes you the life of the party.
4. Smoky Holiday Glam
Smoky eyes are a holiday classic for anyone who loves drama. Blend deep shades like charcoal, chocolate brown, or burgundy into your crease and outer corners.
Layer shimmer or metallic on the lid for dimension. Smudge eyeliner along both lash lines to add sultry depth. Complete with bold mascara or false lashes for that glamorous touch.
Pair with either a nude lip for balance or a dark berry lip for maximum drama. This look is bold, moody, and perfect for Christmas nights.
5. Berry Tones All Over
Berry tones bring warmth and richness that feel perfect for winter. Use a berry-toned lipstick as your anchor, then match your blush to tie the look together.
For eyes, softly blend pinks, plums, or wine tones across your lids and crease. A little shimmer on the center of your lid makes the look pop.
This monochrome approach feels cozy but still glamorous. It gives you that “just came in from the snow” vibe, flushed and fresh.
6. Icy / Frosted Look
Not all Christmas looks have to be warm and golden icy tones give you a frosty, snow-queen glow. Think silver, pale blue, and icy white shadows blended across the lids.
Add a pearly highlight in the inner corners for brightness. Skin should look fresh and luminous, so go for dewy foundation with a touch of highlighter.
Lips can be pale pink or nude with shimmer for that frosted finish. This look feels modern, magical, and perfect for a winter wonderland vibe.
7. Sugar Plum Fairy Glow
If you want something sweet and whimsical, try pinks and purples with shimmer. Apply a soft pink or lavender shadow across your lids, then deepen the outer corners with plum.
Sweep a glowing highlight on the cheeks and nose for a fairy-like touch. Use pink blush for a fresh, rosy look. Finish with a glossy pink or plum lip for balance.
This look feels dreamy, girly, and perfect if you want a lighter, playful holiday vibe.
8. Statement Lashes with Minimal Makeup
Sometimes less is more—and Christmas is the perfect time to let your lashes do the talking. Keep your skin fresh with light foundation or BB cream. Use neutral shadows, or skip eyeshadow altogether.
Then apply dramatic false lashes or volumizing mascara to make your eyes pop. Pair with soft blush and nude lipstick so the lashes stay the focus.
This look is great if you want to look glamorous without spending hours on makeup. Simple but striking.
9. Frosted or Metallic Lips
Why should eyes have all the fun? A metallic or frosted lip makes your look instantly festive. Choose a shimmering lipstick in rose gold, silver, or bronze for a bold statement.
Line your lips first to keep everything sharp, then top with a glossy finish if you want extra shine. Keep your eyes more neutral so the lips are the star.
Add a little highlighter on your cheekbones to tie in the metallic glow. This is a daring yet stylish choice for holiday events.
10. Monochromatic Makeup
Using one main color across your face creates harmony and elegance. Pick a shade—like coral, bronze, or berry—and use it on eyes, cheeks, and lips.
For example, bronze shadow with matching bronzed blush and lipstick feels warm and glowing. Or go for rose tones for a soft, romantic effect.
The trick is blending carefully so everything looks polished. This style is chic, effortless, and makes your makeup look cohesive without being overwhelming.
11. Christmas Wreath Eye Art
If you love being creative, try festive eye art inspired by a Christmas wreath. Use green shadows to outline your crease, then add small red or gold dots with eyeliner or glitter as ornaments.
A touch of silver shimmer in the inner corners looks like snow. Keep the rest of your makeup simple to let the eyes stand out.
This is definitely a statement look—perfect for parties or Instagram-worthy holiday selfies. It’s fun, bold, and shows off your artistic side.
12. Icicle Eyeshadow
Icicle-inspired eyeshadow gives a delicate, sparkling finish. Use light shimmery shades like silver, icy blue, or lavender across the lids. Apply with a damp brush for a glossy, wet effect.
Add extra shimmer under the brow bone and inner corners to mimic frosty light. Pair with natural, glowing skin and a glossy lip. This look is subtle yet eye-catching ideal if you want festive sparkle without too much drama.
13. Bold Holiday Statement
For those who want to go all out, combine all the festive vibes into one look. Try a smoky metallic eye, glitter accents, bold lashes, and a bright red or berry lip.
Add contour and highlight to sculpt your features for a camera-ready finish. Rhinestones or face gems can add extra sparkle if you’re feeling adventurous.
This look isn’t about subtlety—it’s about being the star of the night. Perfect for holiday parties when you want to shine brighter than the Christmas tree.
Conclusion
Christmas makeup is about having fun and expressing your festive spirit. Some people love keeping it simple with glowing skin and a red lip, while others enjoy experimenting with glitter, metallics, and bold colors.
The most important thing is choosing a look that makes you feel confident and joyful. Whether you go for frosty elegance, classic glamour, or bold artistry, your makeup can be just as magical as the season itself.
