Celeb-Inspired Glam: Holiday Makeup Looks for 2025

Achieve red-carpet-worthy holiday beauty with festive, celebrity-inspired makeup looks crafted for every celebration.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
Created on

Holiday Glamour: Celeb-Inspired Makeup Looks for Every Festivity

Embrace the season’s most dazzling moments with expertly-crafted, celebrity-inspired holiday makeup looks that capture festive energy and elegant glamour. From bold lips and shimmering eyes to subtle skin finishes, these beauty ideas are designed to make you feel like a star at every holiday party, dinner, or cozy get-together.

Table of Contents

Classic Red Lips and Metallics

Nothing says holiday glamour like bold red lips paired with metallic accents. This timeless duo creates drama and sophistication, channeling stars such as Taylor Swift and Dita Von Teese.

  • Red Lipstick: Choose a rich, saturated red that flatters your undertone (cool, warm, or neutral).
  • Metallic Eyes: Sweep gold, silver, or bronze shadows across your lids for a hint of sparkle. Layer for added intensity.
  • Pro Tip: Use a matching lip liner to prevent feathering and ensure longevity, and blend metallic shadow from the lash line up towards the crease for multidimensional shine.

Product ideas: MAC Ruby Woo, Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat.

Smoky Eyes with Glitter Accents

The smoky eye never fades from fashion, especially during festive nights. Celebs like Zendaya and Kylie Jenner elevate this classic with splashes of glitter and dramatic lashes.

  • Layer Deep Tones: Start with a base of charcoal or plum eyeshadow. Blend towards the outer corner for a sultry effect.
  • Add Shimmer: Press glitter or shimmery pigment into the center of the lid or inner corner to catch the light at every angle.
  • Bold Lashes: Finish with volumizing mascara or false lashes for ultimate drama.
  • Tip: For a modern edge, try navy, emerald, or burgundy instead of traditional black.

Product ideas: Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Palette, Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara.

Soft-Focus, Airbrushed Skin

This season’s red carpet stars are swapping glass skin for soft-focus, blurred complexions, prioritizing natural radiance and minimizing imperfections. Experts like Ash K Holm craft faces for the Kardashians and Ariana Grande using barely-there foundation and strategic concealing.

  • Prep: Hydrate skin with a lightweight moisturizer. Proper prep prevents cakiness, especially for dry skin.
  • Foundation: Use light-coverage products or skip foundation entirely, applying concealer only where needed (under eyes, blemishes, redness).
  • Finishing: Dust a light, blurring powder over areas prone to oiliness. Set with a hydrating mist for longevity and glow.
  • Blush & Highlighter: Choose creamy formulas for a dewy, youthful effect.

Product ideas: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush.

Rosy Radiance and Dewy Cheeks

A TikTok-fueled trend inspired by Hailey Bieber’s signature look, rosy and soft pink makeup brings an airy, luminous finish perfect for cozy winter days or festive evenings.

  • Pinks for Cheeks: Dust or tap soft pink blush onto the apples and up towards the temples.
  • Glowing Skin: Finish with a liquid highlighter for a radiant, dewy complexion.
  • Eyes: Wash lids with shimmering rose or petal tones; add brown or plum liner for subtle depth.
  • Lips: Opt for pink gloss or balm for youthful fullness.

Product ideas: Glossier Cloud Paint, Dior Rosy Glow Blush, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb.

90s Glam Revival

This year, 90s-inspired glam is sweeping the beauty scene, as seen on Gabbriette and the runway of legendary designers. It is all about matte shadows, fluffy lashes, sculpted brows, and icy highlights.

  • Matte Neutrals: Blend taupe, brown, and beige across the lid for depth without shimmer.
  • Lash Focus: Generously apply mascara or use wispy falsies.
  • Nude Lips: Outline lips with a brown-nude liner; fill in with a matte nude lipstick or gloss.
  • Icy Highlights: Add pearlescent highlighter to cheekbones, brow bone, and down the nose.

Product ideas: MAC Velvet Teddy, Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter, Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift.

Berry & Cherry Lips: Bold Holiday Statement

Deep, sultry lips in shades of berry, Bordeaux, or cherry cola are some of 2025’s most luxurious holiday trends, inspired by celebrities and TikTok favorites. Makeup artists recommend these for both sophistication and festive drama.

  • Choose Your Hue: Find the shade that best suits your skin tone—cool berries, warm cherries, or deep wine reds.
  • Prep & Line: Exfoliate lips and use a matching liner to prevent color bleed.
  • Top with Gloss: Layer with tinted gloss for high-shine or keep matte for classic elegance.

Product ideas: MAC Lip Liner in Vino, Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Underdawg, Pat McGrath Labs BlitzTrance Lipstick.

Pro Tips for Long-Lasting, Flawless Holiday Makeup

  • Primer Matters: Start with a silicone-based primer for grip and longevity for foundation and shadows.
  • Layering: Build color slowly in thin layers—especially with bold and metallic pigments—for a seamless finish.
  • Setting Spray: Finish your makeup with a hydrating or mattifying setting spray to keep your look intact all night.
  • Hydrate: Drink water and prep skin to avoid dryness, flaking, or settling makeup.
  • Lighting: Always check your makeup in multiple lighting conditions to ensure you’re photo-ready.

Celebrity Holiday Makeup Inspirations: Quick Reference Table

CelebritySignature Holiday LookKey Products
Taylor SwiftRed lips with gold shimmer eyesMAC Ruby Woo, Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow
ZendayaSmoky eye with dramatic lashesAnastasia Beverly Hills Palette, Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara
Hailey BieberRosy cheeks, dewy glowing skinGlossier Cloud Paint, Dior Rosy Glow Blush
Dita Von TeeseMatte red lips, winged linerCharlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat, Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What’s the easiest way to make makeup last through a holiday party?

A: Use primer, layer color thinly, and finish with a setting spray. Opt for waterproof formulas for eyes and bold lips.

Q: How can I adapt bold holiday looks for a daytime event?

A: Use softer shades (rosy pinks, taupe, subtle metallics) and keep lips shiny but light—pick glosses or balms over intense colors.

Q: I have textured skin—how do I get the soft-focus finish seen on celebrities?

A: Prime with blurring products, use light-coverage foundation, and set only where needed. Embrace natural radiance and avoid heavy layers.

Q: Which red lipstick shade suits all skin tones?

A: Blue-based reds provide a universally flattering pop—classic picks include MAC Ruby Woo or Fenty Stunna Lip Paint “Uncensored”.

Q: What’s the trending color for holiday lips in 2025?

A: Berry tones and cherry cola hues are trending for a bold, festive vibe.

  • Search volumes for “holiday eyeshadow palette” spiked in November and December, signaling festive demand for bold and shimmer palettes.
  • “Smokey eyes” and “latte makeup” are TikTok holiday favorites, aligning with rising trends in glittery eyes and sultry undertones.
  • Material quality concerns remain for affordable palettes, but strong color payoff and trendy packaging keep them best-sellers.

Expert Takeaways

  • Berry lips and smokey eyes are dominating holiday makeup looks this year, often seen on influencers and the runway.
  • Softly blurred, radiant skin is universally flattering, recommended by top makeup artists for a modern twist.
  • Don’t be afraid to borrow from multiple trends—pair metallic lids and berry lips, or add rosy highlights for a custom festive look.

With these expert tips, trending looks, and product recommendations, you’ll be ready to create festive makeup looks that sparkle and shine—just like your favorite celebrities.

Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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