Whether you've saved up all the products from your beauty advent calendar or you’ve treated yourself (or been gifted) a fancy new make-up palette, the holiday season is all about putting on the glitz – with a dusting of extra pizazz.
But the funny thing about Christmas is that unless you’re visiting family or going to a nice country pub, you’re essentially getting all dolled up to tinker around the house opening presents and feasting endless on mince pies.
However, that’s not an excuse to make no effort at all, after all it IS Christmas – and cocktails by the fireplace deserve a little something special, surely? As make-up artist Caroline Barnes puts it, Christmas is about “comfort with a bit of glamour”.
So, whether you prefer to keep it simple by elevating your usual everyday look, or really want to go for it with glitter and sparkle, we’ve got the inspiration to help you celebrate the festive season in all its frivolous glory.
But before we get on to the "decorating" bit, your face needs a little prep first. (And we mean a little – we realise that the priority lies with unwrapping presents!
Prep
Re energise your skin and prep for makeup with a 30-second facial massage. “This is a step I never skip,” says make-up artist Suzy Gerstein. “It makes your make-up go on like a dream and really gets the circulation going, which helps de-puff and decongest after perhaps overindulging.” Massage in Boots Glow Essence Serum, £4 here, to hydrate as you go.
Prime
A primer creates a smooth, poreless base for your makeup to cling to, and it also helps your face and eye make-up stay put. e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, £8 here, is a gel-based ingredient-driven face primer that smoothes and blurs your complexion while gripping your makeup to help it last longer.
Set
The last thing you want to think about is your makeup slipping, whether that’s caused by humidity in the kitchen or the over-excitement of winning Pictionary Air. A good setting spray will keep your make-up on all day, without the need for touch ups. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, £27 here, is simply the best we’ve tried.
Now, here are six of our favourite Christmas Day-ready looks for you to try out this weekend…
Glowy base on Karlie Kloss
Classy, elegant and timeless, what’s more special than a complexion that glows and twinkles under the Christmas tree lights. To copy this look from @nikki_makeup, start with a dewy foundation like Maybelline’s new Instant Anti Age Perfector 4-In-1 Glow, £12.99 here and dust a highlighter like Revolution Glow Splendour Highlighter So Glazed, £8 here, to the high points of your face and over lids.
Fluttery lashes on Holly Willoughby
Perfect if you like to keep your eyes the main focus – full, fluttering lashes enhanced using ARDELL Wispies 601, £5.49 here which have been used by make-up artist Patsy O'Neill to heighten Holly’s golden eyeshadow and blue eyes.
Dramatic cut-crease on Jodie Smith
You’ve probably heard the term ‘cut-crease’ but what is it? Well, it’s basically combining a light shade of eyeshadow, followed up by a line or "cut" placed in the crease to enhance definition. Jodie dials up the drama with gold and black tones in this look from make-up artist Allan Avendano.
Copy it with this pigmented Viseart Paris Petits Fours Eyeshadow palette in Bullion, £23 here. If you want wow for an evening candlelit festive dinner, it's one to try.
Sultry smoke for Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan’s makeup artist Kristofer Buckle chose a smokey eye, using gold and reddish tones as eyeshadows. We love Morphe’s holiday palette, No Silent Nights Artistry Palette, £25 here, 35 shades of mattes and shimmers.
Eye jewels on Gigi Hadid
Gigi ups the ante on what would be a classic red lip look by donning perfectly placed eye diamantes to compliment the soft peachy tones of her eyeshadow. We love We love ADRAMATA Face Jewels, £6.99 here, which comes with a clever application tool.
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