By Alison McGill
‘Tis the season of glitter, sugarplum-kissed skin, and statement lip shades. Holiday beauty looks are always our favourite because they bring the drama and the glamour. Truth be told, we love to carry the joyful beauty vibe well into the new year because that’s exactly the time you need to be a little more playful with your makeup to help beat the winter blues.
Here’s three bright and shiny holiday makeup trends to wear through the festive season and beyond, plus the products you need to create them.
STARRY EYES
Celebrity Inspo: Beyoncé
A wash of twinkling eyeshadow on your lids paired with a jewel kohl eyeliner looks fresh and fabulous. Gold, silver, and iridescent copper shadow shades are a classic pick, but consider more unexpected shades like aqua, lilac and pink that are soft shimmers for modern twist on the iconic frosty shades of the ‘80s. For liner we love rich olive and navy metallics smudged along the lower lash line and rimming the water line (a look that’s so very Princess Diana).
TRY: Charlotte Tilbury Beautyverse Palette, $95, charlottetilbury.com
The limited-edition eye shadow palette is one of the makeup maestro’s best yet. Featuring a mix of nine metallic and matte shades to mix and match, you can create disco fabulous looks that shine bright, or shimmer softly depending on your mood.
TRY: Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Sequin Green, $42, victoriabeckhambeauty.com
These luxury eye pencils are the star of VB’s beauty line, and they are one of the smoothest, creamiest, and longest lasting liners ever (the liners are available in shimmer, matte, and jewel finishes). The colour range is also unmatched with rich blues, verdant greens and smokey plums being signature shades.
SUGARPLUM SKIN
Celebrity Inspo: Hailey Bieber
Rosy, radiant skin is in this holiday and winter season. Think the ‘cold girl’ makeup trend, but slightly warmer and with more glow. The cheeks are the focus of this look, and the trick is to highlight and blush to create a perfect pink flush that looks like it was created by the wave of a fairy wand.
TRY: e.l.f. Putty Blush in Caribbean, $8, elfcosmetics.com
This viral sensation is available in eight shades and is one of the most luxe, buildable cream blushers imaginable. Magically transforms from putty to powder to create the perfect tint which you can build to your preferred level of intensity.
TRY: MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream, $48, maccosmetics.ca
This is one of the OG illuminating creams and still one of the best. Apply all over skin as a moisturizer, or just on those spots you want a little more bounce (cheeks, brow bone, tip of the nose). Now available in three shades to compliment every skin tone.
SATIN RED LIPS
Celebrity Inspo: Taylor Swift
We’re always a fan of the statement lip, and red is the ultimate shade. This season, the freshest reds are cool and have a soft, satiny matte finish. The best thing about a red lip is that you can dress it up or down depending on the rest of your makeup. We love the idea of pairing it with twinkly eyes and lit skin, but we also love keeping things simple and having your lipstick shine as the star of an otherwise minimalist makeup look.
TRY: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Pirate, $56, chanel.com
This is one of the icons of red lipstick and for good reason. The colour is clear and crisp and the finish is intense and creamy, with just a hint of natural glossiness to it.
TRY: Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Lip Liner in Blood Lust, $40, patmcgrathlabs.com
These are the holy grail of lip pencils, beloved for their bold hues, creamy full coverage, and non-transferrable finish. The perfect red lip demands precision and that starts with a killer liner to sculpt and shape lips.
