36 Christmas Makeup Ideas To Level Up Your Festive Glam in 2023

Party season is an open invitation to step away from your everyday routine because most of us expect extra from our Christmas makeup. Whether you want sparkle-scattered lids, merlot-coloured lips, statement silver eyeliner or candlelit skin, if there were ever a time for your glam game to truly shine, it's December.

So, if you fancy showing your fave lipsticks and liners a good time, but you're not sure which look to go for, we've lined up some of our favourite Christmas makeup ideas below. They're stunning, wearable and, they make a subtle (or bold) statement, depending on your vibe.

Burgundy lip and lots of lashes

There's a way of doing lips and eyes that isn't too much. Rather than a full-on smoky eye, stick to mega lashes like Shay Mitchell, then go in on a semi-sheeny burgundy lip and keep skin looking fresh.

Pine liner

Trade out your black liner for this forest green shade for a cute nod to Christmas that's still super chic.

Fresh, windswept cheeks

We love the look a bracing winter walk give – fresh cheeks and a cute pink nose. Build it into your glam like Jodie Smith, who looks fierce and adorable at the same time.

Grunge glam

To level up your smoky eye, incorporate a wet-look finish for a more grungy look (very in rn).

Smoked out eyes

If your aim this Christmas is sexy smoky eyes, this look created by Nikki Wolff on Simone Ashley is the perfect inspiration. Be sure to pair it with fluffy, brushed-up brows and a glossy lined lip.

3D glitz

Studded crystal gems scattered across the lid can quite literally take your makeup up a level.

Red & gold

Red and gold is a classic Christmas combo, but instead of doing gold eyeshadow, drape cheeks in gold highlighter instead for a perfect glow.

All about highlighter

Sometimes highlighter is the main event in a makeup look and it can be totally breathtaking. Patrick Ta combined a black smoky eye in a winged out shape with dazzling highlighter focused on the cheek bones to create this beautiful look.

Dazzling emerald

We adore this shimmering emerald look created by Hung Vanngo on Jodie Smith. It's a festive masterpiece.

Gold & nude

Since it's Christmas, it would be rude not to shine bright like a diamond… right?

Pretty in pink

This might be a sunshine-inspired look, but we think it works perfectly for Christmas time too. It's heavy on blush and highlighter, topped off with lots of mascara and a glossy lip.

Sparkly lids

Is it Christmas without silver eyeshadow? Hmm. Do it right like MUA Ash Kholm with all-out glitz on the lid and some smoky liner along the top and bottom lash line to add definition.

Glossy lips and glowy skin

Luxe sheeny skin with glossy lips and glitz eyes is a very pretty way to go.

Floating crystal liner

Floating liner was a major 2022 trend, which we're totally obsessed with. So, for the holidays, we're taking inspiration from Patrick Ta and replacing eyeliner with crystals.

Ice queen eyeshadow

This is giving us grown-up Elsa vibes. The cool-toned icicle blue is perfect if you're not keen on the warmer golds and burgundies.

Merlot lips

If you want something a bit different, mix up your lip shade by choosing a rich merlot over classic cherry reds.

'60s lilacs

Skip trad festive colours for something a little more unusual, we love this lavender mod eye.

Chocolate cherry

If you don't fancy going full-on with your eye makeup look, this chocolate cherry lip by Jo Baker on Lucy Boynton is the perfect inspo.

Floating liner and glitz sparkle

A cool-girl way to add glitz to your Christmas makeup.

Moss green shadow

Subtle green shimmer along an ultra fluttery lash line is an understated way to nod to Christmas.

Silky pink

Don't fancy greens and golds? Go for a delicate wash of champagne pink sparkle across lids, matched with a silky pink lip.

Khaki-gold cat-eye

Skip jet black liquid liner for a pretty metallic like this khaki gold.

Twinkling pine green

There's no better time to try bold hues together than during the party season and we love this combination of green and purple shimmery inner corners of the eyes, created by Joy Adenuga for Wunmi Mosaku.

Champagne shimmer

Light, bright and beautifully festive, we love this champagne shimmer eyeshadow with peachy cheeks and a muted red lip.

Silver sparkle

Upgrade a smoky black shadow with silver glitter on the inner eye corners and along the lash line.

Disco eyes

For cosmic Studio 54 disco eyes we love this holographic blue and purple shadow. And if you want to give it a hundred percent, pair it with a red lip, too.

Beachy christmas

How to make sizzling beach vibes Christmas appropriate? This is a case study.

Smoky liner

Not into shimmer and bright shades? Try something ultra sexy and smoky like this look Nikki Wolff created on Chloe Bailey.

Cinnamon eyeshadow

This deep vampy lip shade with a sheer wash of cinnamon eyeshadow makes a statement but still feels delicate.

Holly shades

This look is serving peak Christmas, the holly berry lip and holly leaf eye is everything.

Dash liner

Want to look fancy but not really into the whole festive thing? Try this dash liner to add interest without going gimmicky.

Rebel smoke

This silver smoked shadow is toughened up with darker greys at the edges. The cherry on top? The cherry red lip.

Jewel tones

An opulent approach to Christmas party makeup is with jewel-toned shades like this amethyst and sapphire eye.

Currant floating liner

Floating liner is the perfect way to experiment with a festive hue if you're not confident in creating a smoky eye. We love this look on Melissa Barrera.

Graphic liner

This graphic eye makes a statement, but feels super modern and fresh.

Classic liner and nude lips

It's a classic for a reason.

Teal shadow

This glitz teal eye is a knock-out and paired with fresh skin it feels bang on trend.

Black and gold

Black and gold is a classic combo, but here the black kajal liner is intensified whereas the gold is a delicate barely-there wash on the lids.

Floating gold liner

Emphasise your eye shape by going in with a gold liner along the crease line – the effect will be a peekaboo look that becomes visible as you flutter your eyes.

True red lip

Sometimes Christmas calls for a sexy eye and bright red lip.

Holographic eyeshadow

Luckily Lily's makeup artist, Valeria Ferreira listed the limited edition Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner she used to create the look and there's still some left at Harvey Nichols.

Grunge glam (with added glitz)

If you want a grunge look that feels festive, opt for smoky shades that have a bit of shimmer to them.

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk

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