Although I adore soaking up the sun, I do look forward to the holiday season for a few reasons – you get to wear winter coats and boots, drink eggnog lattes and also go bolder with your makeup. There are so many different festive looks you can create, and whether you have a few Christmas parties coming up in December or you’re already planning your New Year’s Eve outfit, read on for some inspiration on some super chic, modern and easy-to-wear festive looks…
Jewel tones
I’ve been seeing jewel tones everywhere, from Beautyblender’s Jewel Box, £19, and Bobbi Brown’s Luxe Eye Shadow Rich Gemstone, £27, to Herbivore and Pixi Beauty’s jewel-inspired skincare. Colours such as emerald, sapphire, amethyst, citrine and opal are fun and flattering to wear on the eyes and can create incredibly versatile looks – don’t be afraid to play with colour. If there was any time for it, it would be now!
Red & Gold
Red and gold are a classic Christmas pairing, and it looks just as good together on the face as it does on your tree and table decorations. Get Christmas party-ready by adding a wash of gold eyeshadow to the lids (I love the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Bette and Jean, both £22, to create this look). Finish your look with a bold, red pout. Line the lips first with a red lip liner such as Dior’s Lipliner Pencil in 999, £22, and then fill with a bright red lipstick of your choice.
Go for glitter
Glitter is the ultimate festive accessory, but it can get messy (and you’ll be finding specks of it everywhere for about a month afterwards). If you’re looking to add a little sparkle, try adding some subtle touches to your look instead. Transform your usual black eyeliner into something more magical by going over the top with a glitter liner, such as Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, £17, or the NYX Glitter Goals Liquid Eyeliner in Holographic Black, £8.
If you’re not brave enough to try the full-on glitter lip, try a shimmering, sparkling lipstick instead. The NARS Studio 54 Disco Dust Lipstick in Lisa, £26, is the ultimate Christmas red with specks of glitter and a high-pigmented finish. Or, for a slightly more subtle approach try Chantecaille’s Lip Cristal in Rose Quartz, £42, for a frosty, gilded mauve tint.
Frosty finishing
Of course, no party look is complete without some glow. Whatever look you go for, make sure to finish with a bit of frosting. Add highlighter to the inner corner of the eyes and along cheekbones for a beautiful, radiant finish. I’m loving the Dior Backstage Face & Body Glow, £36, which has a beautiful golden shimmer pigment that adapts to all skin tones, and can be used on the face or body. I like to mix this into foundation to create a super dewy base, or apply as a normal highlighter. For a body glow that has more coverage for an airbrushed finish, try Alleven’s Glow, £42, that’s like a luminous foundation for the body. Mist over the skin for a gorgeous iridescent finish that adds subtle glow, and it’s sweat- and water-proof which means it stays on all night and won’t transfer onto clothing, creating the ultimate winter glow.