’Tis the season to get creative with your festive makeup! Discover four trends that leading makeup artists predict will be everywhere this year…
From shimmering eyes to a festive glow, we asked top makeup artists to reveal the four trends set to dominate for winter 2025 – plus their favourite tips, tricks, and products to make them easy to achieve.
So, whether you’re heading to a small, cosy affair or a full-on holiday party this year, these expert-approved looks promise a fun, polished finish for every festive occasion.
Frosty smoky eye
The trend:
Smokey eye looks used to be created with predominantly black tones, which made a statement, but had the potential problem of being quite heavy and making small eyes look smaller. Luckily, the 2025 (and beyond) take on the trend is a lot softer and more wearable, using soft greys and blues instead of the traditional noir. The look is particularly great for your festive parties, with a nod to the icy cold of winter that makes you want to stay cosy via one more cup of mulled wine in the pub.
How to achieve it
“I’d use Chanel’s Les 4 Ombres Nuit Astrale – the perfect palette for a modern smoky eye,” reveals the Chanel MUA ambassador, Ninni Nummela. “Inside you’ll find soft greys paired with a touch of shimmery aqua blue to give the look a modern edge. I like blending the deeper shades to sculpt along the lash line and socket, and applying the lavender or blue across the lids to bring brightness and dimension. A deep blue-grey mascara completes the look beautifully — softer than black, it gives depth while allowing the eyeshadow to remain the focus.”
In fact, expect coloured mascaras to make a bit of a comeback, helping “subtly enhance your eye colour and make the look feel fresh and modern,” says Nummela.
Fairy light glow
The trend:
“Glowy ‘glassy’ skin is going to be big this season; luminous, hydrated, and effortless,” reveals Dior Beauty international backstage makeup artist, Jamie Coombes. It’s the sort of skin finish that looks flawless under the soft glow of Christmas lights – and disguises any wintry skin dryness, caused by the harsher wind, cold and rain. It also helps you ‘shine’ without wearing a lot of products – perfect for anyone who prefers a minimalist makeup bag.
How to achieve it
“To achieve a ‘glassy’ base, I love to mix foundation with a serum for a dewy finish and to enhance the glow,” reveals Coombes. “I also recommend layering a cream or powder highlighter over your blush, as well as applying it to the inner corner of the eye, and the cupid’s bow. That always looks beautiful for the festive season. For a natural highlighted look, I like to use the Dior Forever Glow Maximizer in 001 Abracadadior to catch the light.”
Glitter flicks
The trend:
Glitter eyeshadow is the perfect way to add extra dazzle and glitz to your party makeup,” says the makeup artist Sascha Jackson, and this season it is all about using it to define your eyes via a flick along your upper lash line. Creativity is designed to abound here, so the colour doesn’t matter too much, just don’t make it your traditional black or brown – pinks, greens and other glossy candy coloured shades add the festive touch that will delight your fellow partygoers.
How to achieve it
Look for liquid eyeshadows or metallic eyeliners with narrow tips to make applying to your lash line a little simpler. You can’t go wrong with your favourite shade of Stila’s Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, which really captures even the limited light on wintry evenings, or the brand’s new Inkwear Eyeliners for first-timers, both of which Jackson recommends.
Here’s another makeup artist tip from Jackson: always prep your eyelids first with a little bit of matte eyeshadow (or eyelid primer). This helps grip the glitter so your look lasts as long as you do at the Christmas party, instead of gliding down your face.
Sparkle smiles
The trend:
“Rich, bold lips in hues of berry, deep wines, and reds always look beautiful for the festive season, but for real party glamour, choose a formula with a metallic, glittery, or glossed effect this year,” says Coombes. Think of lips that catch the light from every angle, with a wet-look sheen and a high-pigmented finish that’s equal parts modern and nostalgic to the power of red lipstick throughout time.”It’s basically a continuation of this winter’s Glass Glow lip trend in terms of a super high-shine finish, but with the added attention grab when you find the perfect shade of festive red…
How to achieve it
We really are spoilt for choice this festive season for gorgeous new red lipsticks, and best of all, our favourites are really easy to apply and long-lasting so application is a breeze. Chantecaille’s new Lip Crème in limited-edition festive Barberry is a rich red berry hue for a really glamorous lip moment. The narrow point also makes it perfect for defining your cupid’s bow. Add a high-shine gloss over the top for the on-trend glossy finish.
Or try Dior’s Rouge Dior Liquid Sequin Duo – a double-ended liquid lipstick with a glittery topper that transforms into a flattering, pout-enhancing sparkle when you press your lips together. It’s available in 10 limited edition shades, although Flame is the perfect ’Santa’ red.
Lead image: Chantecaille
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