For a season that’s spent primarily indoors, winter involves a surprising amount of planning. You have to make decisions about where to spend the holidays, decor to display, gifts to buy loved ones, the next movie or TV series to stream nonstop… We figured it would be helpful to take at least one thing off your plate by rounding up the top makeup trends of the season, with help from makeup artists, retail buyers, and trend forecasters who are deeply tuned in to the most popular looks and products right now. The result: a shiny, festive moodboard for all your holiday celebrations (or nights in) with loved ones.
The resounding theme with the five makeup trends featured here is making a statement with either minimal effort or minimal products. Ulta Beauty shoppers are looking to feel “polished yet effortless,” says Kaitlin Rinehart, the retailer’s vice president of merchandising. What does that look like? A flick of sparkly chrome liner (a party-season essential), a dusting of powder blush (which continues to captivate beauty lovers with new formulas and fresh ways to wear it), and bronzer placement that turns up the heat (thanks to TikTok’s toasty makeup trend).
While there’s plenty of newness on beauty shelves this season, one great thing about these five trends is that you probably already own products that can help you achieve the looks. So grab your fuzzy socks and floofiest blanket, and start planning a season of magical makeup moments.
Tinsel lids
Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
Sparkly shadow is always apropos for winter festivities, but this year the effect is more twinkling tinsel than Hallmark-movie set. Buffed and blended over the lids, these delicate shimmers are “a great way to add a soft, whimsical approach to your eye look this season,” says David Razzano, makeup artist and Sephora beauty director.
To get this effect on your lids, stick to neutral metallic shades like gold, silver, platinum, and bronze that complement your skin tone. Take, for example, Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa, who often wear pale gold hues on their lids during concerts and red carpet appearances, or actor Danai Gurira, who stepped out at Paris Fashion Week wearing a beautiful bronzy shadow. For more contrast, you can check out one of Cynthia Erivo’s silvery eye looks from earlier this year, where the shadow gets buffed and blended until the edges fade seamlessly into her skin tone.
