The Anti-Holiday Makeup Guide To Holiday Makeup

Can’t decide on your holiday beauty vibe this year? Yeah, we couldn’t either. That’s why we decided to reinvent the classics by turning them up a notch.

We started with five typical (dare we say, basic?) looks—the smoky eye, the cat eye, the bold lip, dewy skin, and, of course, GLITTER—and amped them up. You know, just enough to piss off the relatives.

Whether it’s a bold, red smoky eye or a vampy, almost-black lip, we broke all of the rules of holiday party makeup. So if you've got family festivities or a New Year’s Eve soiree on the horizon, we’ve got you covered (that is, if you’re trying to stand out).

And even better, we show you how to make each look your own, courtesy of advice from makeup artist Tony Tulve, who reminds us, “It’s not about who should be wearing what, it’s about wearing what you want. Color, makeup, and self-expression are genderless, just like the true spirit of the season.” Cheers to that.

Below, your guide to no-fail anti-holiday makeup holiday makeup that packs quite the punch—so you can be the loudest one at the party, without having to say a word.

CREDITS

Photographer: Savanna Ruedy

Makeup: Tony Tulve

Makeup Assistant: Clara Rae

Hair: Kiyonori Sudo

Stylist: Heather Newberger

Casting: Amber Bek

Models: Sofia Sanoh at Muse, Amelia Milne at MSA, Wyatt Cooper at Major, Danielle Rendall at Wilhelmina, Ocean Waring at Red.

The only red-eye you’ll wanna takeThere’s no doubt that red eye makeup is having a major moment, so kick your holiday look up a notch with a smoldering smoky eye.

Sofia’s look: Tap a glossy red pigment across the lid and the lower lash line, working it into the crease. Apply a reddish-brown cream shadow to the center of the lid and pull the color toward the inner and outer corners. Repeat on the lower lash line. Add a bit of sheen to the look using an iridescent cream shadow, from the upper lash line up to the brow bone. Tap the same red pigment onto the cheeks for a slight flush and apply a bit of cream highlighter over it. Finish off the look by applying an iridescent highlighter to the high points of the cheek and cupid’s bow and a creamy nude lipstick to the lips, diffusing the edges with a fluffy shadow brush.

Use: Rituel De Fille, Inner Glow Crème Pigment in 'Frenzy,' $29, available at Rituel De Fille;  Chelsea Wolfe x Rituel De Fille, Ash And Amber Eye Soot in ‘Exuviate,’ $38, available at Rituel De Fille; Rituel De Fille, Celestial Sphere Eye Soot in ‘Ara,’ $38, available at Rituel De Fille; Glossier, Haloscope in ‘Topaz,’ $22, available at Glossier; Milk Makeup, Holographic Highlighting Powder in ‘Mars,’ $30, available at Milk Makeup; M.A.C, Amplified Lipstick in ‘Half ‘N Half,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C.

Sofia is wearing a Christian Cowan blouse and Urban Outfitters earrings.

The undereye red eyeFor a subtler—yet just as edgy—version of the prior look, keep it to just the lower lid.

Wyatt’s look: Buff a reddish-brown cream shadow over the tear duct and lower lash line, blending the color down and out. Elevate it even more by lining the lower lash with a deep red pencil liner, waterline optional. Tap a cream highlighter onto the lids, cheekbones, cupid’s bow, or “anywhere you see fit,” says Tulve, to complete the look.

Use: Chelsea Wolfe x Rituel De Fille, Ash And Amber Eye Soot in ‘Exuviate,’ $38, available at Rituel De Fille; Urban Decay, Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Alkaline,' $20, available at Urban Decay; Glossier, Haloscope in ‘Moonstone,’ $22, available at Glossier.

Wyatt is wearing an Alexander McQueen jacket.

North Pole glowWho doesn’t want dewy, glowy summer skin in the middle of the winter? This look is all about natural skin, but an otherworldly highlight gives it more of a cold-weather feel.

Amelia’s look: After cleansing, prep the skin with a liberal spritz of an herbal balancing toner and a dime-sized amount of serum before moisturizing. Only use concealer where needed, such as under the eyes or to cover any spots or blemishes, keeping the skin as bare as possible. Next, tap different shades of highlighter “all over the high planes,” blending the different tones together for a multifaceted effect. Apply a generous coat of mascara, and keep the rest of the look minimal with a sheer eye gloss and lip color.

Use: Bateman Skincare, Herbal Balancing Toner, $35, available at Bateman Skincare; Bateman Skincare, Daily Hyaluronic Serum, $33, available at Bateman Skincare; Rituel De Fille, Rare Light Luminizer in ‘Lunaris,’ $29, available at Rituel De Fille; Rituel De Fille, Rare Light Luminizer in ‘Ghost Light’ $29, available at Rituel De Fille; Glossier, Haloscope in ‘Moonstone,’ $22, available at Glossier; Urban Decay, Perversion Mascara, $23, available at Urban Decay; Milk Makeup, Eye Vinyl in ‘Light Rail,’ $20, available at Milk Makeup; Rituel De Fille, Enchanted Lip Sheer in ‘Swarm,’ $24, available at Rituel De Fille.

Amelia is wearing a Nicopanda dress and Calvin Klein bra, stylist's own ribbon as a necklace.

Last night’s eye, todayGive that classic holiday party smoky eye a rebellious twist. Opt for glossy, iridescent shades that add a slept-in, slightly unkempt feel.

Danielle’s look: Apply eye pigment to the lid and lower lashline, blending out into the desired shape. Build the intensity up in layers to achieve the desired depth. Then, use a sparkling iridescent shadow to the center of the lid and center of the lower lash line, finishing off with mascara. Liberally, apply highlighter to brow bone, inner corner, cheekbones, and cupid’s bow, finishing the lips with a sheer balm.

Use: Milk Makeup, Eye Pigment in ‘Silent Disco,’ $24, available at Milk Makeup; Rituel De Fille, Celestial Sphere Eye Soot in ‘Pyxis,’ $38, available at Rituel De Fille; Urban Decay, Perversion Mascara, $23, available at Urban Decay; Rituel De Fille; Rare Light Luminizer in ‘Lunaris,’ $29, available at Rituel De Fille; Glossier, Balm Dotcom in ‘Cherry,’ $12, available at Glossier.

Danielle is wearing a Christian Cowan jacket, an Out From Under top, and a Zana Bayne choker.

Subtly slept-inFor a more toned-down look than the last one, decrease your use of pigment, increase the iridescent, sparkly shadow, and skip the mascara.

Ocean’s look: Smudge eye pigment on the lower lash line and onto the inner and outer corners of the lid. Sweep a layer of sparkle across the lid and tap highlighter to the cheekbones and cupid’s bow. Finish off the look with a clear balm.

Use: Milk Makeup, Eye Pigment in ‘Silent Disco,’ $24, available at Milk Makeup; Rituel De Fille, Celestial Sphere Eye Soot in ‘Pyxis,’ $38, available at Rituel De Fille; Glossier, Haloscope in ‘Topaz,’ $22, available at Glossier; Glossier, Balm Dotcom in ‘Coconut,’ $12, available at Glossier.

Ocean is wearing a Private Policy sweater, model's own ring.

Navy, it's cold outsideForget your typical cat eye. Give it an unexpected twist by opting for a bold navy liner over black. Add a bit of shimmer for just the subtlest hint of glamour.

Danielle’s look: Sketch out your desired shape with a navy eye pencil, and once you’re satisfied, “lock it in,” Tulve says, with a waterproof cream pigment. Using a fluffy brush, blend in a holographic powder to add an unexpected sheen. Buff a cream blush over the apples of your cheeks and onto a moisturized lip for a touch of balancing warmth.

Use: M.A.C, Chromagraph Pencil in ‘Marine Ultra, ‘$17.50, available at M.A.C; Danessa Myricks, Waterproof Cushin Color in ‘Nightwalk,’ $12, available at Danessa Myricks; Milk Makeup, Holographic Highlighting Powder in ‘Mars,’ $30, available at Milk Makeup; Glossier, Cloud Paint in ‘Dusk,’ $18, available at Glossier.

Wyatt is wearing a Guess jacket. Amelia is wearing a Simone Rocha dress and top. Ocean is wearing a Calvin Klein shirt.

Mouthing offAll that holiday party socializing has you tongue-tied? As Tulve says, “Bold lips are always a great way to support what you’re saying." This year, we’ll opt for deep browns, reds, and vampy shades, both sharply lined and buffed out.

Danielle’s look: Create a custom chestnut brown lip color with depth by mixing multiple liners and lipsticks. Line the lip with a deep, reddish-brown lip liner, then use the pencil to fill the full lip in. With an even deeper brown liner, add depth to the corners and lip line. Swipe on a lighter brown lip color—or two shades, if you dare—to complete the look. 

Use: M.A.C, Lip Pencil in ‘Mahogany,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C; M.A.C, Lip Pencil in ‘Chestnut,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C; M.A.C, Satin Lipstick in ‘Paramount,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C; Milk Makeup, Lip Color in ‘Wavy,’ $22, available at Milk Makeup.

Sofia’s look: For a subtle two-toned lip, apply bright red lipstick all over the lips, and shade the outer edges with a lighter red lip pencil. “Keep a sharper edge toward the outer lip, and lightly blend the liner in. You don’t want a full ombré, as the clash of undertones helps make the lip look fuller without the use of gloss,” says Tulve. 

Use: M.A.C, Matte Lipstick in ‘Lady Danger,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C; M.A.C, Lip Pencil in ‘Cherry,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C.

Danielle is wearing a Christian Cowan jumpsuit. Sofia is wearing a vintage jacket and Simone Rocha blouse.

Ultra vampYou just can’t go wrong with an ultra-vampy, almost-black lip. Bonus points if it freaks out your relatives.

Wyatt’s look: Line and perfect the lip with a purple lip pencil so dark it’s almost black, using it to slightly enhance your natural shape. Next, take a deep purple matte lipstick to fill it in, and “cement your loud mouth status.” Smudge under the mistletoe as needed.

Use: M.A.C, Lip Pencil in ‘Cyber World,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C; Milk Makeup, Lip Color in ‘Extra,’ $22, available Milk Makeup. 

Ocean’s look: Same as Danielle’s look in the prior photo.

When in doubt, throw some glitter on itFind yourself stuck on beauty inspiration, or in a rush to get out the door? When in doubt, just throw some glitter on it—whether on the cheeks, lash line, or lips. However, we’re not talking about your typical sparkle. “Take the expected use of glitter to a different feel by keeping it to a more neutral palette,” says Tulve. This way, it won’t be, you know, too extra. “And, of course, keep a roll of scotch tape handy to clean up any unwanted fallout—but the more glitter, the better.”

Danielle’s look: Sweep cream blush on the outer corner of the eyes and bring it down to the apple of the cheeks. Tap loose glitter on the brow bone and cheekbone.Use: Glossier, Cloud Paint in ‘Puff,’ $18, available at Glossier; Danessa Myricks, Constellation glitter in ‘North Star,’ $15, available at Danessa Myricks.

Sofia’s look: Sweep cream pigment over the lid up to the brow bone. Tap loose glitter across the lid, finishing with mascara.Use: Rituel De Fille, Inner Glow Crème Pigment in ‘Eclipse,’ $29, available at Rituel De Fille; M.A.C, Glitter in ‘Reflects Bronze,’ $22, available at M.A.C.

Amelia’s look: Prep the lip with lipstick, then use your ringer finger to press a matching loose glitter onto the surface of the lip.Use: M.A.C, Lipstick in ‘Peachstock,’ $17.50, available at M.A.C; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Cosmetic Glitters in 'Beige,' $11.25, available at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

Ocean’s look: Buff liner into the lash line and waterline for a strong undersmoke. Using a smaller brush, press loose glitter over the liner, starting from the center of the lash line and moving outward. Tap eye gloss over the lids.Use: M.A.C, Eye Kohl in 'Teddy,' $17, available at M.A.C; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Cosmetic Glitters in 'Coffee,' $11.25, available at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics; Milk Makeup, Eye Vinyl in ‘Light Rail,’ $20, available at Milk Makeup.

Wyatt’s look: Prep the brows with a clear brow gel. Working one brow at a time, prep brows with a clear brow gel, then comb loose glitter into the brow using a disposable spoolie brush. This will give brows a bleached, but sparkling, effect.Use: M.A.C, Glitter in ‘Gold,’ $22, available at M.A.C; Glossier, Boy Brow in ‘Clear,’ $16, available at Glossier.

Wyatt is wearing a Guess jacket and H&M jeans. Amelia is wearing a Simone Rocha dress and top, ASOS shoes, and a Zana Bayne choker. Sofia is wearing a Christian Cowan blouse, a Sandy Liang skirt, and Vaga shoes, stylist's own tights. Ocean is wearing a Calvin Klein shirt and Levi's jeans. Danielle is wearing a Christian Cowan jacket, an Out From Under top, a Cooperative bustier, Urban Outfitters pants, Balenciaga shoes, and a Zana Bayne choker, stylist's own tights.