Makeup Artist Approved Tips for a Sparkling Holiday Makeup Look

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Planning your holiday beauty look can be overwhelming. There are tons of Instagram photos to take, the need to make sure your makeup stays on throughout endless family parties and maybe even the pressure of impressing your in-laws (in the words of a viral TikTok video, “we listen and we don’t judge…”). But the good news is that improving your appearance doesn’t have to be a stressful process, especially when you have red carpet worthy tips and tricks to follow.

If you’re feeling festive and want some sparkling content, now’s the time to do it – but Tasha Reiko Brown says Us that there is an art to wearing glitter. The Chanel makeup artist – who has worked her magic on A-listers including Gabrielle Union, Ayo Edebiri a Alicia Keys — says it’s important to focus on just “one or two facial features” so you don’t go overboard. Doing so “allows the gloss aspects of the makeup look to (stand out),” she further explains. “(Look for) products with lots of shine, iridescent textures that shine and balms that bring light.”

Below are Brown’s top picks that will help you say goodbye to 2024 and ring in the new year with plenty of glitz and glamour. Enjoy!

Next Level Pout

Brown shares two ways to take a red lip up a notch. You can either “(choose) a formula that has the shine interwoven with the pigment,” or you can swipe on a “clear or shimmery lip gloss” over red lipstick.

Even if your red lipstick contains sparkle, you can still up the shine or “double down on color” by choosing a “sparkly lip gloss in the same shade.” (Brown likes the Sephora Collection About Shine Sheer Lipstick in Ray of Red.)

The Chanel Rouge Allure L’extra in Rouge Royal is his “current go-to”. The expert suggests pairing it with “satin skin and a clean eye.”

Brown recommends choosing a “thick” formula such as the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper in Slipper Glass. “A thin gloss formula will slide around too much and may end up ‘blending’ into your lip color, leading to lip edge bleeding.”

Glowing skin

“I like to add (refreshing) on ​​the highlights of the face to emphasize features,” says Brown. These areas include “on the top of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the arch of the lips and the center of the chin.”

“To keep your shine high, make sure you choose textures that are fine, with small particles of glitter,” brown dishes. Rare Beauty Illuminating Positive Light Liquid Luminizer is a perfect example of this, and if you use your finger to apply the product, Brown advises “using the pad of your ring finger to control.”

Another of Brown’s favorites? The Nudestix Nudies Glow Highlighter Stick is Bubbly Bebe. You’ll love the blendable texture and dewy look it achieves.

If you don’t like highlighter, there is a “clear balm” like the Jillian Dempsey Lid Tint in Bold it will also give a lovely and luminous finish.

When wearing your radiance enhancers – specifically powders, like Chanel Diamond Dust Illuminating Powder — the expert advises using a brush that’s “thinner than your typical blush brush” to ensure precise application.

Sparkling shutters

The “shimmering champagne” color is one of Brown’s most beloved shades for the holiday season. “It pairs perfectly with a bold pop of lip,” she emphasizes. Brown drops two techniques that will come in handy whether you’re using liquid or powder eyeshadow. For a seamless application, “use fingers or a tightly packed brush to gently tap the product onto the lashes.”

Liquid formulas like Lacquer Ombre Première Chanel on the Shelf have their benefits because they help reduce the chance of pigment shifting.

She’s a fan of Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy. Brown notes to “press – not swipe (the product) – to reduce any result.”