As the festive season arrives, the desire for a more glamorous beauty look becomes almost universal. Bold lips feel less intimidating, glitter seems perfectly acceptable, and we all search for an excuse to embrace a look that's a little more 'extra'. Holiday makeup is that rare indulgence where shimmering eyelids and glossy lips feel entirely appropriate, even for the office.
Moving Beyond Festive Tradition
While classic red lips and gold eyeshadow will always have their place, the standout beauty trends emerging from the 2025 runways offer a cooler, more modern approach. According to Elise Wilson, the Daily Mail's qualified makeup artist and hair stylist, this year is about pausing tradition. After extensive testing, she has identified five key beauty moments that are surprisingly easy to recreate and deserve a spot on your Christmas party mood board.
1. Sparkling, Soft-Focus Eyes
If there's ever a time to embrace a shimmering eye, it's December. This season's sparkling lids are softer, more reflective, and designed to be flattering. Taking cues from the runways, the look involves a precise layer of metallic shadow across the lid, which instantly elevates your makeup even if the rest of your face is minimal.
For New Year's Eve, jewel tones are ideal as they photograph beautifully and feel instantly festive. While blue eyeshadow has been popular, a rich violet or warm gold works just as well and feels more timeless. The application is key: tap metallic pigment on with a fingertip or a slightly damp brush to maximise shine and minimise fallout, making even budget formulas look luxurious. Finish with a slick of tubing mascara, like the Australis Emotional Support Tubing Mascara ($9.97), and a soft black liner.
2. The 'Just Kissed' Blurred Red Lip
The crisp, precise red lip is taking a back seat this year in favour of a far more relaxed and sensual effect. Wilson advocates for a cherry or cardinal red, like the Scarlett Johansson Isamaya Lip Balm in Cardinal ($51), pressed into the lips and gently blurred out. The finish should look as if the colour has been kissed under the mistletoe and left intentionally smudged.
Precision is not required; in fact, the slightly diffused edge is what makes the look feel current. The technique involves softly lining the lips, filling them in with balm or lipstick, and then using a cotton tip to soften the edges. This creates an effortlessly sultry effect without the risk of lipstick bleeding. Paired with glowy skin and minimal eye makeup, it's a festive and confident look that's less intimidating than a full matte red.
3. The Metallic Nail Renaissance
After years of neutral manicures dominating, chrome finishes are making a quiet but powerful comeback. The reason is simple: a metallic manicure elevates literally every outfit, whether you're in sequins or a simple black dress. It adds dimension and interest without being overpowering.
The beauty of chrome lies in its versatility. You can layer it over a red polish for drama, a nude for a pearly sheen, or choose a gold, like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Chrome Lustrous Gold ($6.47), for maximum holiday impact. The mirrored finish catches the light, making hands look instantly polished—a small detail with a significant payoff.
4. Strategic Glitter Eyeliner
The holiday theme is sparkle, but glitter eyeliner no longer means a full-blown disco eye. This season, the approach is more intentional. You can either opt for a creamy, shimmery eye pencil that swipes on in seconds, or trace the lash line with loose glitter and eyelash glue for precise sparkle.
Jewel tones, metallic blacks, and soft chromes add just enough drama to lift your entire look. A pro tip is to use two shades: a darker one along the lash line for definition and a lighter shimmer in the inner corners to brighten the eyes. This creates an 'eye-opening' effect without appearing overdone.
5. The Sleek, Polished Plait
For festive hair, the goal is a style that looks polished but isn't fussy. A sleek plait, whether worn low at the nape or pulled tight down the back, is inherently chic and perfectly fits the bill. It works equally well with bold makeup or barely-there skin, and holds up through long parties and humid summer weather.
Achieving the look requires just a touch of smoothing product, a dense boar-bristle brush, and clear elastics. It's a style that looks deliberate without feeling stiff and photographs incredibly well from every angle, making it a perfect choice for the party season.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of any brands or companies mentioned. This content is not sponsored or endorsed.
