This year consisted of loungewear, home hobbies, and makeup-free days—except for the occasional lipstick to spice up a Zoom call. Now that the holiday season is upon us, though, it’s the perfect time to show off the fabulous looks we’ve seen all over social media and are dying to try. From creative, colorful eyeliner to natural, dewy skin, there’s a trend for everyone this season. If you’re attending a virtual or socially distanced get-together, showcase a full-face of makeup. If your party attire includes a stylish face mask, you’ll need a look that brings all the attention to your eyes.
Below, we’ll give you all the details on this year’s top winter beauty trends, how to achieve them, and who to consult if makeup isn’t exactly your forte.
Natural Glow
Makeup by: @nikki_makeup, @brittsully, & @isabelamerced
The warmer months aren’t the only times to rock warm, glowing skin. This winter, opt for fresh, simple makeup. Start by cleansing your face and using a moisturizer with SPF 30. Then grab a few essentials—mascara, neutral or nude eyeshadow, warm blush, bronzer, liquid highlighter, natural lipstick (or lipgloss for a dewy finish), and a dewy setting spray. Whether you’re staying in or going out, this look is perfect for any occasion.
Bold Winter Hues
Makeup by: @sirjohn, @kiirrajones, & @thescottedit
Be bold this season and test out bright, vibrant colors—even if you’re staying in for the night. Try a daring blue smokey eye with warm neutrals for your face and lips. For a more romantic feel, try the purple eyeshadow trend. Layer different purple shades for dimension and extra drama, or blend it all out for a soft, smokey eye. For those with darker skin tones, channel your inner ice queen with a striking white eyeliner and eyeshadow combo. This will make your eyes pop and complement your skin tone.
Dramatic Eyeliner
Makeup by: @freshlengths, @erineliopulos, & @sarah.feingold
The bigger and brighter the eyeliner, the better! Use colorful eyeliner to match your favorite holiday outfit. This trick is not only unique, but it will also brighten your face. If you want a bolder look, incorporate a glitter eyeliner, a second color, or a design to match your holiday attire. When playing with graphic eyeliner, it’s important to have fun; mix and match colors and shapes. If you appreciate the classics, try your hand at ultra-winged liner or a fierce cat-eye. For a trick that gives you the best of both worlds, try floating liner by applying black liner to the top lid and waterline, then a colorful liner to the lower waterline.
‘90s Revamp
Makeup by: @nikki_makeup, @hungvanngo, & @freshlengths
The ‘90s are making a comeback. Go bold and rock a thick silver eyeshadow with black liner, thick lashes, and a nude lip, or keep it subtle with a neutral smokey eye and a ’90s-inspired lip that pairs a neutral lip shade with a darker lip liner for ultra drama.
Shade Matching
Make-up by: @yana_panfilovskaya, @beautyisboring, & @nikk_makeup
Stand out in the crowd with shade matching or monochromatic makeup. Whether it’s pinky pastels, a velvety red, or light neutrals, you’ll look completely coordinated and ready for the holiday season. To accomplish this beauty trend, match your eyeshadow, blush, and lips, then top it off with mascara, eyeliner, or some sparkle. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to makeup; “too bold” isn’t in the beauty vocabulary.
Holiday Glitter
Makeup by: @missjobaker, @fairy.freak, & @etienneortega
Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like glitter. This trend can be played big or kept subtle. If you’re trying to turn heads, add sparkle, shimmer, or chunky glitter to your eyes, cheeks, lips, or even your brows. The possibilities are truly endless. If you prefer to stay simple, complete your everyday glam with a glitter liner or a pop of shimmer on your lids and inner corners.
Fluffy Brows
Makeup by: @brittsully, @merton_muaremi_makeup, @patrickta
Tamed soap brows are a thing of the past; big, fluffy brows are here to stay. These natural, full brows are all the rage and perfect for bringing attention to your eyes this winter. To get the look, use a tinted or clear brow gel (or brow wax) to brush the hairs up, then use a brow pencil to fill in any empty spaces to create volume.
Eye-Catching Lipstick
Makeup by: @patrickta, @kilprity, & @katiejanehughes
The ultimate holiday trend to try this year is a dark, vampy lip. While a dark lipstick may seem intense, it’s actually super wearable and gives off a romantic, mysterious look—if you get the right shade, that is. Go for an ultra-dark, matte shade with a touch of red or purple (think plum). If the dark matte lip isn’t your style, go for a classic red lipstick and top it with a hydrating lip gloss for a bit of shine.
A Professional Touch Never Hurt…
While these trends may be easy to accomplish for some people, seeing an experienced cosmetologist or makeup artist ensures your look will come out perfectly! Not only can a cosmetologist help you achieve these looks, but they can also walk through application techniques and help you choose the best products for your skin. Contact us to book an appointment with one of our cosmetologists today.
Want more winter beauty tips like these? Check out our other articles!