The Best Makeup To Create Your Holiday Makeup Looks

Once November first rolls around there are a lot of things I start to look forward to. Cooler weather (notice I said cooler, not colder weather), Thanksgiving, Christmas lights and decorations, NBA Christmas Day games, spending time with the fam. Oh, I can’t forget the many holiday parties.

I’m not really one for parties, but I’ll make an exception for ones during the holidays because they give me the opportunity to dress up and not feel out of place.

Related read: Hair And Beauty Holiday Deals

(This post includes affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission.)

Not only do I dress up, but I up my makeup game. I tend to do a fuller coverage look, adding a little shimmer here, and some sparkle there. Basically, I use makeup products that give me some wow.

You can also add some wow and sparkle to your holiday makeup looks this year with any of these products:

Face

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer 

I like to start my makeup looks with a good mattifying primer as it helps control my oily skin so my makeup lasts longer. There are two options that I would consider for my holiday makeup look. The first is the Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer, which is good for oily skin giving it a matte base for makeup application.

2. NYX Shine Killer Mattifying Primer

The other is the NYX Shine Killer Mattifying Primer. It includes charcoal as a main ingredient because it helps to absorb oil to help your skin stay matte longer throughout the day or at that holiday party.

If you'd like to try it this holiday season, you can find it on Amazon, the NYX website, Walmart, Target, Ulta, and CVS.

2. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Makeup Primer

If a mattifying primer is too much for your skin in the winter, a good alternative would be a gripping primer like the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Makeup Primer. This is a gripping primer which means it helps your makeup to stay on for a very long time. It's oil-free and minimizes pores while also hydrating the skin.

3. Maybelline Matte & Poreless Pressed Face Powder

This drugstore powder foundation from Maybelline gives you an even complexion without clogging your pores. It goes smoothly on my skin and can be applied with a round makeup sponge, a brush, or a fancy powder puff. 

I use the Maybelline Matte & Poreless Pressed Face Powder sometimes by itself or as a setting powder when I wear liquid foundation. It comes in a lot of different shades for various skin tones. I use the shade Java.

This face powder can be purchased at multiple retailers in-store and online such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Ulta, and CVS.

4. Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation SPF 19 

This is a sheer foundation that I use quite a bit. Surprisingly it gives a matte finish without drying out the skin which makes it perfect for oily or combination skin during the winter. It has SPF and comes in up to 24 shades.

This Estée Lauder sheer foundation can be purchased on the Estee Lauder site, at Macy’s, Sephora, and Ulta.

Related read: 7 Foundation Alternatives For A Natural Look

5. Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer

The Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer naturally covers imperfections that your foundation can’t all while giving you a flawless matte finish.

6. Milani Powder Blush

The Milani Powder Blush is highly pigmented, goes on smoothly, and blends easily to give your cheeks the perfect holiday glow.

7. Juvia's Place The Nubian Loose Highlighter

The Juvia's Place The Nubian Loose Highlighter is made with the best pearls, finely milled to give a supremely silky finish and angelic type glow.

Eyes

8. Maybelline TattooStudio Eyeliner Pencil

The Maybelline TattooStudio Eyeliner Pencil comes in several highly pigmented shades like Deep Oynx, Striking Navy, and Rich Amethyst. Plus, it lasts for 36 hours.

9. Ardell Natural Multipack Wispies

Using the Ardell Natural Multipack Wispies to dramatically enhance your lashes is sure to make your holiday makeup stand out even more.

10. L'Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara

Try the L'Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara if false lashes aren't your thing. 

11. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is another good mascara option if you want to go a little higher end. Each coat gives you fuller and more defined lashes.

12. Juvia's Place Eyeshadow Palettes

I love Juvia's Place eyeshadow palettes because of the high pigmentation and mix of simmer and matt shades. There are so many palettes to select from but the two I think are perfect for the holidays are The Berries and The Warrior palettes.

Nails

13. The O.P.I. Infinite Shine

The The O.P.I. Infinite Shine nail polish is long-wearing and has several Christmas perfect shades.

14. Dashing Diva nail strips

A few years ago I discovered nail strips. Specifically ones from the brand Dashing Diva. These are strips of nail polish that adhere to the nail. The great thing about them is they don't chip, if applied correctly can last up to 14 days, and come in so many fun colors and patterns. 

Around the holidays, Dashing Diva releases their Christmas, Hanukkah, and holiday nail sets. You can see some of the ones I've purchased and worn in the past in my LTK store. You can find these nail strips at Ulta, Walmart, Target, and some Family Dollars.

Related read: My Quick and Affordable Option For A DIY Manicure

Lips

15. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick is full coverage, matte, highly pigmented, smear-resistant, and comes in 30 shades. Many of the shades are jewel-toned making this a great holiday accessory.

16. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick is not just lipstick but a lip moisturizer because of the Vitamin E and Avocado Oil it contains. Plus you get to choose from 82 shades and four different finishes - crème, matte, pearl, and sheer.

Do you have favorite makeup that you use during the holidays? Shop mine below