Emma Ledger, Contributing Editor
Our foolproof guide will see you through party season
On the hunt for Christmas party makeup ideas? Regardless of how much makeup you usually wear, making the switch to a party look can feel intimidating. This is your guide to some of the best festive makeup trends to achieve a look-and-feel-good glow. For office parties, Friday nights with the girls, New Year’s Eve, and every celebration in between, here’s how to glam up like a pro.
Sequin season
Intense lips = big impact. Rouge Dior Sequin Liquid Duo, from DIOR’s 2025 limited-edition holiday collection, is a double-ended liquid lipstick that creates the brand’s famous sequin finish, topped with a spectacular glossy shine. Available in 10 shades, we love 999 Velvet; a perfectly festive deep red. First, use the coloured end for ultra-pigmented intensity with an ultra-glittery finish, then complete the look with the universal gloss for maximised shine. Now you’re party ready.
Bronzed goddess
You can count on Charlotte Tilbury to bring the party. The brand’s Hollywood Instant Look In A Palette, in Dreamy Bronzed Beauty, makes it super-easy to dial up everyday makeup to Hollywood levels of glamour. With three effortlessly blendable eyeshadow shades for sultry eyes, as well as bronzer, blush, glow topper and finishing powder to blur and illuminate, this warm palette captures the glow of A-list red-carpet looks.
Soft and smoky
A polished look doesn't have to take hours. Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Liner Stick creates the perfect soft, smokey eye with effortless, swipe-and-go ease. Customers rave about its ability to transform, with one saying: ‘it glides on and stays on, with a lovely subtle colour’. Apply on the lash line, add Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick and Smokey Eye Mascara, and enjoy the non-smudging, long-lasting sultry effect.
High gloss
A surefire way to look pulled together (even when you’re in the thick of party season)? Yves Saint Laurent’s spirit-lifting Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss. This is hybrid makeup at its best – combining the nourishing care of lip oil with high-shine gloss colour. The result? Juicy hues and an instantly plumped look that, thanks to fig extract and deeply moisturising oils, feels as much like a lip treatment as makeup. Get glossy and let your lips steal the show.
Lined lips
Fenty Beauty’s clever limited-edition duo takes the stress out of nailing the pizazz of a life-and-soul-of-the-party look. Begin by lining your pout with the Trace’d Out Lip Liner in the bestselling rose mauve shade, then add a generous glide of Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in the all-new holographic purple shade, Grape Splash. Luscious lips just crying out to be teamed with that head-turning sequined dress.
