It’s now December, which means our calendars are likely filled to the brim with holiday-related events of all sorts for the next few weeks. But just because we’ll be hopping from one festive dinner to another festive party, doesn’t mean we need to douse ourselves in glitter and rock a bright red lip. What about holiday makeup looks for those of us that lean slightly toward the darker side?
Witchy girls, rejoice. We’ve compiled six looks to help you achieve pretty—but definitely not typical—holiday makeup creations, so you can let your goth flag fly. Makeup artist Clara Rae tells us how to perfect our witchy vibes well throughout the holidays, and what typical, glitzy holiday makeup trends we can finally ditch.
Click through the gallery below for a little bit of mystery, a little bit of sultriness, and just the right amount of grunge for that soiree you'll inevitably have to attend.
Photographer: Franey Miller
Stylist: Sam Bates
Makeup: Clara Rae
Hair: Jeanie Syfu
Hair Assistant: Kyia Jones
Manicurist: Tori Huang
Models: Lara at Heroes, Arselidja at Muse, Danielle at IMG
Skip the classic red lip
While a classic red lip is, well, classic, it’s definitely a bit overdone during the holidays. For all of the goth babes out there, Rae recommends opting for a deep, almost black shade of matte burgundy or dark plum lip color rather than a fire engine red.
M.A.C, Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor in ‘High Drama, $21, available at M.A.C Cosmetics.
Danielle is wearing an Ellery dress and Diesel top.
Smudge that liner
Forget the clean, basic cat eye that everyone does for party makeup. This holiday season, Rae suggests rimming your eyes with liner for sultry, yet grungy and smudged, effect. A little goes a long way, so you can build on the intensity depending on the occasion.
Urban Decay, Moondust Shadow in ‘Dark Force,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; Milk Makeup, Eye Vinyl in ‘Bridge,’ $20, available at Milk Makeup; M.A.C, Eye Kohl in ‘Smolder,’ $17, available at M.A.C Cosmetics.
Danielle is wearing a Preen by Thornton Bregazzi top and Rosie Assoulin skirt. Lara is wearing a Rebecca Taylor dress and top, and her own rings.
Ditch neutral browns
Rae suggests expanding on your normal array of neutrals if you want to switch it up this season. Instead of your basic browns, opt for burnt orange, rust, and deep crimson to really enhance your eyes for a glamorous, yet slightly gothic, look.
On Lara: NARS, Matte Eyeshadow in ‘Bengali,’ $25, available at NARS; Kat Von D, Metal Crush Eyeshadow in ‘Raw Power, $21, available at Sephora; Ardency Inn, Modster Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner in ‘Gold,’ $20, available at Sephora.
On Arselijda: Urban Decay, Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Zodiac,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; Urban Decay, Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Vortex,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; Urban Decay, Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Stargazer,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; M.A.C, Eye Kohl in ‘Costa Riche,’ $17, available at M.A.C Cosmetics.
Lara is wearing a Rebecca Taylor dress and top, and her own rings. Arselijda is wearing a Rosie Assoulin top and Rebecca Taylor dress.
Embrace metallics
Skip out on the glitzy glitter, and opt for something darker and mysterious. “Explore metallic, dual-chrome shadows to add dimension and intrigue,” says Rae.
On Arselijda: Urban Decay, Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Zodiac,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; Urban Decay, Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Vortex,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; Urban Decay, Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Stargazer,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; M.A.C, Eye Kohl in ‘Costa Riche,’ $17, available at M.A.C Cosmetics.
On Danielle: Urban Decay, Moondust Shadow in ‘Dark Force,’ $21, available at Urban Decay; Milk Makeup, Eye Vinyl in ‘Bridge,’ $20, available at Milk Makeup; M.A.C, Eye Kohl in ‘Smolder,’ $17, available at M.A.C Cosmetics.
On Lara: NARS, Matte Eyeshadow in ‘Bengali,’ $25, available at NARS; Kat Von D, Metal Crush Eyeshadow in ‘Raw Power, $21, available at Sephora; Ardency Inn, Modster Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner in ‘Gold,’ $20, available at Sephora.
Arselidja is wearing a Miu Miu t-shirt and blouse, Carven skirt, and Dr. Marten shoes. Danielle is wearing a Carven top, Sonia Rykiel dress, Rosie Assoulin belt, and DKNY boots. Lara is wearing a Rosie Assoulin blazer, Sonia Rykiel blazer, Miu Miu shorts, and DKNY shoes.
Try a drop shadow
The cut crease tends to be the typical go-to for holiday makeup, but Rae suggests that witchy girls try something new: a drop shadow along your lower lash line, beneath the eyes—think of it as the creepy girl’s smoky eye. She used these shadows both wet and dry to enhance the overall effect.
Cozzette, Infinite Eyeshadow in ‘Passion,’ $11, available at Alcone Company; Cozzette, Infinite Eyeshadow in ‘Evolve,’ $11, available at Alcone Company.
Lara is wearing a DKNY coat and top and a Rebecca Taylor skirt.
Replace clear gloss with a muted, brown lipstick
While clear gloss may be the go-to for an understated look, a sheer brown lipstick that will “mute out your pout” is a much cooler alternative. Still understated, less basic.
Lime Crime, Matte Velvetine in ‘Salem,’ $10, available at Lime Crime.
Arselijda is wearing a Carven top, Diesel skirt, and Dr. Marten shoes. Lara is wearing a Diesel dress, Preen Line sweater, and DKNY boots.
