I'm Deep in the Winter Party Circuit—These 5 Holiday Makeup Looks Are My Ride or Die
Want my advice? Give the glitter a break.
When it comes to holiday glam, I want you to forget about everything you thought you knew. Well, almost everything. What naturally comes to mind are the obvious silver and gold glitter accents and traditional red-and-green color combinations. And while tradition is great, I'm glad that the best 2025 holiday makeup looks are taking on a new direction. Per my investigation, we're going to be adding some edge to classic beauty moments this season.
Here's what to expect: icy metallics are stepping to the forefront, with glowy, bronzed skin shining through. "Think glowing skin, flushed winter cheeks, and rich berry lips," says Gabriella Elio, makeup artist and founder of Sweed Beauty. You can also expect bold eyeshadow moments (they're giving starry night energy) and even some throwback '90s glam.
While there are still a few more weeks until the holiday party circuit kicks off, it's never too early to start preparing your makeup mood board. Take a look at these 2025 holiday makeup looks (and expert tips!) to perfect your party vibe this season.
Minimal Metal
Makeup looks exploding with glitter and shimmer take a back seat to a cooler, more subtle metallic looks this season. Creating a sculpted appearance is key, and Isamaya Ffrench, creative director and founder of her eponymous beauty brand, has expert tips on recreating the look above.
To start, dab 5-Point Lift, an illuminating pen that hydrates and masks puffiness, on the forehead, under eyes, nose, and around mouth "to create a sculpted effect." Ffrench then goes in with a contour stick that is "slightly deeper than your skin tone to effortlessly contour the features of your face" before coating the lashes in mascara and outlining the lips. The final touch is adding the Metal Lip Balm shade that best suits you, which adds "a delicate veil of molten intensity," she says.
Lucia Light Frost
To catch everyone up to speed: Lucia is a popular figure in Swedish folklore, said to be the light bearer who illuminates the darkest winter nights with a crown of burning candles. "The Lucia Light Frost trend beautifully ties together a historical legend [of Lucia] with a modern beauty aesthetic," says Elio.
"The silver and metallic theme aligns perfectly with the story’s light symbolism, making it both poetic and fashion-forward," says Elio. "The tone feels personable and accessible, while the reference to Lucia and her candles adds cultural depth and gives meaning to the trend; it’s not just about sparkle, but about bringing light into the darkest season."
Elio explains that to achieve this look, it's best to start with smooth lips, so using a lip scrub is a must. Then, define the lips "to sculpt and ensure long wear" before adding a gloss for a glass effect. The eyes go bold with a wash of metallic shadow or silver liner, then finish with mascara and "lash clusters at the corners for definition and lift."
Starry Eyes
Keeping it simple is never a bad idea for holiday beauty, but just remember that simple isn't synonymous with boring. Sometimes it just comes down to focusing on one feature and letting the rest of the face be the supporting character. That's what this starry-eyed holiday makeup look is all about.
You'll need a light-reflecting, shimmery eyeshadow that personifies the night sky to start. Just a moderate wash of your color of choice is enough to channel a more festive feel. "This is perfect for holiday looks this year as it marries two trends: cool monotone eye looks and 'wet' shimmery looks," says Priyanka Ganjoo, Kulfi Beauty founder. Finish off with a little swipe of black eyeliner and lush lashes. Et voilà!
Cardinal Sin
It wouldn't be a holiday makeup roundup without a bold red lip. And this year? Sin is in. Start by dusting some highlighter on your forehead, under eyes, nose, and Cupid’s bow before going in with a color correcting serum on the cheeks and forehead "for a bronzing effect." Then, coat the lashes with a volumizing mascara. Now for the star of the show: the lips.
Ffrench explains that it's best to start by outlining them (don't be afraid to overline) to create a defined contour before adding a pop of red.
Nordic Glow
Jasmine Tookes at Saint Laurent RTW Spring 2025
If chestnuts roasting on an open fire were a makeup look, this would be it. "Inspired by cozy Nordic evenings and glowing candlelight, this look celebrates natural radiance with a touch of Old Hollywood glamour," says Elio.
"First, create a flawless, softly diffused complexion that gives that dreamy 'Paris filter' finish, like candlelight on the skin," says Elio. For the cheeks, pick a perfect cherry-toned blush for what Elio dubs a "just-back-from-a-snowy-walk flush." Top it off with a '90s-inspired berry-brown lip for a bit of classic glam.
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Meet the Experts
Isamaya Ffrench has spent over a decade at the forefront of the beauty industry. As a makeup artist and creative director, her innovative approach has led to collaborations with top luxury brands and avant-garde tastemakers worldwide. Her work has appeared in major fashion publications and on icons like Rihanna, Madonna, Cher, Rosalía, and Bella Hadid.
Drawing from her background in theater and performance, Isamaya’s creative direction spans beauty campaigns and broader artistic visions. She has also been the face of her own projects before being cast as talent for brands including Nike and Moncler. In 2022, she released a collaborative EP under Alto Arc, followed by Mantle, her solo album, in 2023.
In 2022, Isamaya launched her eponymous beauty brand, ISAMAYA, blending cutting-edge skincare technology with high-performance color payoff. The brand challenges beauty norms and continues to shape the future of the industry with striking packaging and innovative formulas.
With over two decades of experience as a professional makeup artist I'm happy to create vegan and clean products for our Sweed friends and professionals around the world. All our Sweed products are designed and developed by me, with years in the making. Everything from formulation to packaging is carefully chosen to reach professional performance. Sweed is the essence of professional artistry made accessible.
