The *Only* Holiday Beauty Inspiration You'll Need This Year

The first set of holiday lights made their commercial debut more than 130 years ago, mostly because the whole candles-in-the-Christmas-tree thing was kind of a fire hazard. But with all due respect to their inventor, Edward H. Johnson, Douglas firs shouldn't get all of the fun. This season's best holiday beauty looks shine just as bright as those easily-tangled lights — and you don't need the savvy of a 19th century electrician to get the look.

The sparkle was already adapted earlier this year, as evident on the Spring/Summer 2020 runways. "We're back to being big this year," editorial makeup artist Tiffany Leigh Patton tells TZR, alluding to the bold, more-is-more trend seen everywhere from New York to Paris. "On the runways, we actually used makeup as opposed to all of the no makeup-makeup looks from before." Take Lutz Huelle, for example, where MAC makeup artists packed on layers upon layers of iridescent glitter for a look inspired by la magie of Paris. And at Giorgio Armani, Linda Cantello, the brand's International Makeup Artist, veered away from its traditional understated glamour in favor of sequin-covered eyelids loosely inspired by Euphoria. But while big and bold is the name of the game, minimalists can rest easy in the fact simplicity is still revered. ("We're not trying to go completely festival here," Patton jokes).

According to the artist, these new, freer trends speak to the imminent death of the rigid and formulaic looks that dominated Instagram for years — you know, the heavy contour, angled brows, and simple cut crease all fit for filter. Not that there's anything wrong with that particular aesthetic — but this is makeup that moves with you.

Hair, which was also understated for seasons past, gets the same treatment this go 'round: Plenty of bounce, volume, and of course, bling. (Noticing a pattern?) "This isn't reinventing the wheel," Patton notes. "In fashion and beauty, everything comes back around."

Ahead, see how Patton and hairstylist Luis Guillermo take on traditional holiday glam, the 2019 way.

The Holiday Beauty Look: Big, Bouncy Blowout

If you don't have time to hit the blow dry bar before your holiday party, Guillermo suggests blasting Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray at your roots for volume to start. Then, using a Harry Josh Pro Tools Wooden Paddle Brush and a slight blast of medium heat, tease the root until you reach your desired height. Finish by curling large sections around 2-inch iron, and brush the waves out ever-so-slightly for disco-worthy perfection.

The Holiday Beauty Look: Chocolate Kiss

Want a lip that lasts even after a trip under the mistletoe? Then layering is key. In this instance, Patton opted for MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Chocotease and Consensual (both of which are discontinued). "No lip liner, because Retro Mattes don’t need it," she says. "They're so pigmented that you don’t need to define with a pencil. I just outlined with the doe foot applicator."

And try to buck the habit of rolling your lips together after applying. "You want all of the product on your lip to be undisturbed," Patton says. Let the color deposit the way it needs to — no blending necessary.

The Holiday Beauty Look: Skin Is In

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a long-time backstage secret for a glowy — not greasy — base. Teamed with Surratt's Surreal Skin Foundation Wand, model Dakota Moore's skin remained flawless amid the nine (!) outfit changes of the day.

The Holiday Beauty Look: Smoke Show

Taking inspiration from R13 Spring/Summer 2020, Patton used MAC Cosmetics Paintstick in Black Black to create a rounded shape, and lightly packed on Ben Nye Sparklers Loose Glitter in Black Diamond for a hint of shimmer. She wanted an eye that felt glossier rather than glittery, so she finished with Milk Makeup's Eye Vinyl in Tunnel.

The Holiday Beauty Look: A Different Kind Of Blues

For a predominately glittery look like this one, an emollient base (like L'Oreal Infallible Paints Eyeshadow) is necessary to get the shimmer to stick and stay. Once your base is set — it should still be somewhat wet — you don't have to be completely precious while painting your glitter on. Patton actually used her fingers — but you can use a flat synthetic brush, too.

The Holiday Beauty Look: Dripping In Diamonds

Amika Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream helped Guillermo smooth Moore's curls into a high bun, decked out in crystals á la Area and Mugler. If you're blessed with as much hair as Moore, try assembling your updo with a mini bungee cord rather than a flimsy ponytail holder. And Fekkai's Brilliant Glossing Diamond Shimmer Spray gave Moore's hair extra shine — not that it was difficult, thanks to all of those gleaming stones.

The Holiday Beauty Look: Red Alert

You can't talk holiday glam without a mere mention of red lipstick — "A classic," Patton says. But this one (done with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry and Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Feels So Grand) gets an unexpected update courtesy of a glossy eye pairing, done with Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. "It's one of most-used products in fashion I’ve ever seen," Pattton says. "Even artists with makeup lines still grab this one. It has a peachy tint that just looks so pretty and natural on the lid."

Photographer: Cheril Sanchez

Stylist: Mecca James-Williams

Hair: Luis Guillermo using ORIBE at Factory Downtown

Makeup: Tiffany Patton

Manicure: Elizabeth Garcia using Chanel

Model: Dakota Moore