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The holidays are officially upon us! Now is a great time to make bold makeup choices and to try out styles that you’ve admired but felt you lacked a proper occasion for. Be prepared for the merrymaking ahead with fierce, festive looks, achieved through highly rated products. Ahead, find glittery eyeshadows, hydrating lipsticks and gleamy highlighters to feel your best throughout the celebrations.
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1. This holiday-red lipstick from Yves Saint Laurent
Red lipstick is, without a doubt, a classic for any holiday season festivities. Whether you prefer a fiery orange-red shade, a deeper berry-toned hue or something in the middle, you can find it within Yves Saint Laurent’s line of Rouge Pur Couture The Bold High Pigment Lipsticks. The lipstick claims to have a satin finish (not too matte or shiny) and a full-coverage formula that’ll look plenty opaque in one swipe.
2. This moisturizing makeup base from Laneige
If you’re in a cold climate or traveling to one, using moisturizing products under your makeup is a must. Laneige’s Glowy Makeup Serum claims to keep oil in check—yes, those with oily skin need moisture, too—while helping makeup go on smoothly. The cold can make skin feel more dry and flaky than usual, making makeup appear dry or cakey. To solve those issues, this serum contains ceramide hydration gel to moisturize the skin and diamond mineral powder to create a smooth appearance.
3. This glittery eyeshadow from Natasha Denona
Anything goes at holiday parties: You can sport a glam smokey eye or opt for a subtle one-shadow look. The Glam Eyeshadow Palette from Natasha Denona lends itself to either with its array of 15 matte and metallic neutral shades. The pigmented neutrals will work well for deeper and lighter skin tones, and the shades can be layered for even more dimension and variety.
4. This cheek-flushing blush from NYX
While you may think of bronzer as the go-to product for warming up the skin, instead try a blush that’ll achieve the “I’m cold” makeup look that’s all over TikTok. Reach for the NYX Wonder Stick, which is dual-ended to include a lighter and darker hue in one product, catering to a variety of skin tones and makeup preferences. Swipe the cream stick on the apples of your cheeks or up the cheekbones for ultra-rosy cheeks. Be sure to put a tiny dot on the tip of your nose to play up the “baby, it’s cold outside” look.
5. This highlighter that shines under candlelight from Becca X Smashbox
What could be more festive than an icy, gleaming highlighter? It can be the finishing touch on a full-glam face or a subtle glow on a “no-makeup makeup” look. The beloved Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, now owned by makeup brand Smashbox, catches the light and can be built up for a shine that’s as bright as the stars. You have your choice of five shades: “Rose Quartz” (light rose gold), “Chocolate Geode” (bronze), “Moonstone” (light gold), “Opal” (medium pink-gold) and “Champagne Pop” (peachy gold).
6. This shimmering lip gloss from Fenty Beauty
Glosses are back and better than ever. This season, opt for Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer that’ll leave your lips feeling moisturized with shea butter and looking fuller with a glossy sheen. Opt for the shade “Hot Chocolit” for a brown tone or choose “Diamond Slipper” if you want to add clear shimmer atop any lipstick you’re wearing this season.
7. This photo-ready foundation from Giorgio Armani
Face it: There will always be one relative that insists on using flash for photos, so just be prepared with a look that captures well in the light. The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation offers medium coverage that can be layered for even more opacity and a glowy finish that’ll leave the skin looking healthy. The best part: Reviews claim it looks just as flawless in photographs with zero flashback. You’ll find the foundation in 40 shades ranging from very light to very deep in neutral, cool and warm undertones.
8. This tear-proof mascara from Tetyana Naturals
You never know if your family gathering will turn into a screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. Be prepared for tear-inducing films or windy weather with a durable mascara. Reviewed put more than a dozen waterproof mascaras to the test, and the Tetyana Naturals 4D Silk Fiber Lash Mascara is the best out there, as it adds volume and length and won’t budge in the face of water.
9. This bold eyeliner from Urban Decay
Whether you’re into full-on graphic eyeliner or enjoy smudging a color on the lash line for extra flair, you should check out Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. Within the line, you’ll find matte, satin, glitter, metallic and shimmer shades across 38 colors, from a Christmas-wreath green to an icy silver. Pop the color(s) of your choosing onto the lash lines, all over the lids or draw shapes or lines with them for even more drama.
10. This makeup-preserving setting spray from Benefit Cosmetics
This step is probably most skipped, but it is also the one that’ll keep your makeup looking sharp until after the ball drops. Spritz the skin with a makeup setting spray, like the Reviewed-approved Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Super Setter, after applying all of your complexion products. During our testing, we found that this spray actually kept makeup from creasing and its ultra-fine mister made it easy to coat the skin evenly without causing makeup smudges.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.