Holiday make-up ideas straight from the runway
How should I do my makeup from Christmas to New Year’s Eve? Here are some ideas to steal, inspired by the latest fashion shows
G-Club
December 3rd, 2024
December 3rd, 2024
December has arrived, officially kicking off the holiday season. For many of us, the coming weeks will be packed with commitments—not just year-end deadlines at the office or exams at university, but also dinners with colleagues, gift exchanges with friends, romantic dates with promises to reunite after the winter break, and parties with roommates. Things get even busier from December 24th to 31st, with family lunches, gatherings with rarely-seen relatives who somehow always make us feel awkward, hugs with grandparents, chats with siblings, and the eagerly anticipated and always high-expectation New Year's countdown. Amidst the many thoughts crowding our minds during this time, two likely stand out: "What do I wear?" and "How do I do my make-up?".
It doesn't matter if you're the type to decorate your home as early as November or if you're not a huge fan of Christmas; we all want to embrace some of this season's magic and look our best. The easiest way is to pick an outfit from your wardrobe that makes you feel good and maybe be daring with your make-up. Sometimes, all it takes is a touch of glitter freckles, a frosty eyeshadow, red lipstick, or bold eye make-up to add character and glamour to even the simplest black dress. Surprisingly, some of the most festive makeup inspirations come from the SS25 runway shows.
Christmas make-up: the Mystical Fairies of Christian Siriano
@thewallgroup Makeup keyed by #VincentOquendo for Christian Siriano SS25 runway show #NYFW #ChristianSiriano #BTA @Brennan Wilhite original sound - The Wall Group
@revlon The category is: Moonlit Smokeshow! @Christian Siriano’s SS25 show was STUNNING! MUA: @Vincent Oquendo Model: @dashulya.abdulova #nyfw Fun Vlog - FASSounds
If anything is possible at Christmas, why not transform into a captivating fairy? This idea comes from the SS25 collection by Christian Siriano, inspired by the fairycore aesthetic and the 1920s. The vibe is amplified by makeup designed by Vincent Oquendo, who described it as follows: "The soft, smoky eyes evoke a sense of mystery, while the luminous skin and delicate lips reveal a playful yet sophisticated beauty. It's a look that captures the timeless magic of a fairy tale wrapped in the elegance and audacity of the roaring twenties." The resulting look—intense and glamorous—is perfect for New Year's Eve: smudgy eyeliner, neutral gloss, and glitter-coated side waves in the hair.
How to Create the Look: Oquendo used Revlon products and detailed steps but simplified the process for recreating the "moonlit smoke show" look. Start by lining the upper and lower lash lines and the waterline with ColorStay Multiplayer Liquid-Glide Eye Pencil in "Checkmate". Set the eyeliner and blend the look using the ColorStay Day to Night Eyeshadow Quad in "Moonlit". Apply two coats of ColorStay Xtensionnaire Lengthening Mascara in "Blackest Black" on both upper and lower lashes. Finish by shaping your brows with the pencil end of the ColorStay Brow Fantasy Pencil & Gel in "Soft Brown" and setting them with gel. For lips, define the outline with ColorStay Longwear Lip Liner and fill them in with Super Glass Shine Lipstick. For the hair, hairstylist Lacy Redway created an S-wave framing the face using TRESemmé Extra Hold Gel, accented with eco-friendly glitter.
Loewe's sparkling eyes and Miu Miu's minimal glitter lips
We've already said it: the mission of the holiday season is to shine, outshining even the Christmas tree lights. How? Pat McGrath shows us on the SS25 runways of Loewe and Miu Miu, blending the trend of metallic colors with glitter, the perennial stars of this time of year. For Loewe, she played with gold, drawing large arches extending up to the brow bone, and with silver, crafting graphic wings on the upper eyelid. Dame McGrath outlined the models' lips with glittery pink, gold, and silver pigments for Miu Miu. The strokes are irregular, resembling a child's handiwork, with greater definition on the Cupid’s bow and the central lower lip.
How to Create the Look: For both styles, McGrath used the Luminous Legends: Mega Eye Shadow Palette, applying glitter pigments with a thin brush. She finished the eye make-up with a touch of Fetisheyes Mascara and highlighted the cheekbones with SkinFetish: Highlighter + Balm Duo by Pat McGrath Labs. For beginners, glitter pencils like those in the Cupid’s Holidays "Icy Moon" Set by Nabla are a good alternative.
Twiggy-Inspired Lashes from N°21
At N°21, Alessandro Dell'Acqua brought the revolutionary charm of the Swinging Sixties to the runway, paired with sophisticated eroticism. The beauty look reimagines the '60s with bouffant hairstyles, featuring face-framing locks adorned with clips, and make-up to match. For the occasion, Lucia Pica focused on the eyes, particularly the lashes, creating a dramatic effect reminiscent of Twiggy. Simple, clean, yet impactful, the Neapolitan make-up artist's work is perfect for the holiday season—for being cool without going overboard.
How to Create the Look: Using Kiko Milano products, start with the Skin Hybrid Blurring Skin Tint Foundation for a natural demi-matte base. Apply 24h Panoramic Volume Mascara in multiple layers, clumping lashes together with tweezers for a Spider Lashes effect. Enhance the eyes with a fine line of black eyeliner along the upper waterline and a bold flick on the lower lash line extending to the temples.
Sequined Eyeliner by Chanel
@mariajherrerabeauty Replying to @Jen Car Look From The Runway | Spring Summer 2025 Makeup Recreation | #CHANEL @ChanelOfficial @chanel.beauty Product Deatails: •Stylo Sourcils Haute Precision Brow Pencil 158 •Les Beiges Water Fresh Complexion Touch B40 + B60 •Le Correcteur de Chanel in Peche & B40 •Le Liner de Chanel No 512 Noir Profond •Joues Contraste Intense In Rose Ardent •Rouge Coco Flash in 54 Boy •Le Volume Mascara in 10 Noir •Baume Essentiel in Transparent #mariajherrerabeauty #mariaatchanel #chaneltiktok #welovecoco #chanelbeauty #chanelcosmetics #chanelmakeup #chanelinsider #chanelmua #chanelbeautyadvisor #chanellover #luxurybeauty #makeuptiktok #chanelspringsummer2025 #runwaymakeuplook #makeupmusthaves #mexicana #vogue I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos
@cheygren Ive actually been dreaming about this look at night @chanel.beauty @ChanelOfficial @welovecoco @MAC Cosmetics USA @maccosmetics #makeup #beauty #eyeliner #chanel Her Eyes - Charlie Jeer
If you want to impress your relatives at Christmas dinner a small, almost unnoticeable detail is enough to make your look stand out. The perfect inspiration comes from Chanel's SS25 runway, where models showcased a subtle and chic sequined eyeliner. The glossy make-up was paired with a flawless, dewy complexion, highlighted by soft accents of pale pink on the eyes and cheeks, created using Chanel Joues Contraste Intense in the shade "Rose Ardent".
How to Create the Look: If you want to recreate this look at home, you can easily achieve the same effect using dazzle dots or adhesive sequins applied over your eyeliner. The method used by the Chanel Beauty team isn't much different. Apply Stylo Yeaux Waterproof in "88 Noir" on the upper waterline and trace a fine line along the lash line with Le Liner de Chanel Noir Profond. Stick adhesive sequins above the liner for a touch of sparkle. Finish with Le Volume De Chanel Waterproof Mascara in "Noir" on the upper lashes to enhance the eyes and Rouge Coco Flash Lipstick in "Boy" for glossy lips.
Simone Rocha's two-tone lips
Red lipstick is a winter holiday must-have, and this year, with the rise of the Berry make-up trend and the popularity of burgundy and bordeaux in fashion and beauty, it's more essential than ever. While the outfits celebrated ballet with tulle, flowers, bows, and pink hues perfectly capturing the balletcore and coquette aesthetics, the beauty looks had a darker twist. For the show, Thomas de Kluyver created three looks: a winged eyeliner reminiscent of Black Swan, a whimsical floral mask made of carnation petals, and a blurred, two-tone lip. The latter is perfect for those looking to add a touch of sensuality to their festive makeup, creating a just-kissed effect.
How to Create the Look: After prepping the skin with Dr. Barbara Sturm products, Thomas de Kluyver focused on the lips. He started by creating a base with neon red lipstick, Byredo Matte Lipstick in "Eperdu", lightly dabbing it onto the lips for an undefined look. Next, he applied a deep bordeaux shade, Byredo Matte Lipstick in "Marriage", concentrating the color in the center of the lips. For beginners, instead of using just your fingers, you can use a cotton swab to help blend the edges for a softer finish.
Metallic nails from Rabanne and Libertine, or Mugler's pearl accents?
Should we stick to the classic holiday manicure in red and green tones, or go bold with something more impactful? Embrace the Y3K style with a chrome effect, inspired by the metallic silver nails seen on the runways of Rabanne and Libertine. Rabanne's look stood out with a futuristic vibe, featuring silver claws created by Sylvie Macmillan. Libertine, on the other hand, turned to Julie Kandalec, who added a pop of color using CND polishes, showcasing elegant reverse French manicures adorned with yellow half-moons. Too daring for you? For the romantics, Mugler offers an enchanting reference, also designed by Sylvie Macmillan, with pearls peeking out from beneath the nails.
How to create this look: The simplest style to try at home is Rabanne's. You can purchase press-on nails, like OPI Liquid Metal Press-On Nails, or opt for a chrome-effect polish such as Olive & June's "Cosmic Silver".