4 Opulent Holiday Makeup Ideas
created WITH DOLCE&GABBANA
BY Emma Walsh
From Sugar Plum Fairy Eyeshadow
to Ruby Lipstick
"I don't know about you, but doing my makeup for a holiday party is almost as much fun as the party itself," Emma says. "Around this time of year, I love to include special products in my makeup routine that feel like little luxurious gifts that I get to unwrap again and again."
Nothing signals the start of the holiday season quite like lighting a scented candle, queuing up some Tchaikovsky, and trying new, sparkly makeup looks at my vanity. My go-to look is usually a little golden eyeshadow and a swipe of red on my lips. But this year, I wanted some fresh inspiration, so I tapped my two beauty-loving friends and colleagues, associate social media editor Emma Hughes, and senior fashion editor Anna Henderson, to share the opulent holiday makeup looks they'll be wearing this season.
The Collection
There are no products that embody this feeling better than those from Dolce&Gabbana. The Italian House's makeup collection is where holiday magic and luxury cosmetics coalesce. So it's only natural that its products were the stars of both Emma and Anna's looks. "These formulas are foolproof, so I know I can rely on them to look flawless and wear beautifully throughout the day and night," Emma says. Aside from their top-tier formulas and everlasting wear, the products themselves are objets d'art, with sculptural gilded packaging and sacred heart embellishments. "From the blush compacts to the lipstick tubes, these products are so luxe," Anna gushes. "I want to set them up next to my holiday lights and watch the bottles shimmer."
The Looks
flawless skin and
bold ruby lips
red carpet glam
long lashes and
sugilite liner
Each editor shared a natural daytime look and a bold evening look. "I'm all about no-fuss makeup. These looks pack a punch, but they aren't hard to create," Anna reassures me. Here's a preview: Emma's Sugar Plum Fairy–inspired eyeshadow look is one you can wear effortlessly from day to night, and if you want to feel like a starlet at your holiday gala, I'd screenshot her take on Old Hollywood Glam. Anna's flawless skin and long lashes let her ruby pout take center stage, while her sugilite-toned liner look makes her eyes pop. Keep reading to learn how they created each look and hear their expert application tips.
sugar
I was a ballerina growing up and danced in The Nutcracker for years, so Emma's Sugar Plum Fairy eyeshadow is a look that I wanted to copy immediately. The storied character dons a pink and purple tutu, a glistening crown, and satin pointe shoes—which served as the inspiration for Emma's pink-toned eyeshadow look. "I love to switch up my everyday makeup routine around the holidays and incorporate new products and shades," she says. "I rarely ever wear pink eyeshadow, but this subtle monochromatic eye look felt incredibly wearable, with just a hint of Sugar Plum Fairy influence. I'm a sucker for a good eyeshadow palette, and I was able to easily create a beautiful look using the complimentary and buildable shades in the Gemstone Palette."
"Take whatever shades you applied on your eyelid and apply them to your lower lash line to create a cohesive, balanced eye look." — Emma
SHOP THE LOOK
$65
Dolce&Gabbana
Gemstone Eyeshadow Palette
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Dolce&Gabbana
Everlast Foundation
$59
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$50
Dolce & Gabbana Cheeks&Eyes Match Blush & Eyeshadow Powder
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$45
Dolce&Gabbana
My Comfy Matte Lip Stylo
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I've always admired Anna's flawless complexion, and she just let me in on one of her secrets. "Even during the winter, my skin sometimes gets oily when I wear foundation, and I have to cake my face with powder," she says. "But not with the Everlast Foundation—it has beautiful shine control, and it has SPF, which is so major." And for the holiday season, she'll pair her velvety, cloudlike skin with a red lip. "Nothing says 'holiday' more than a red lip—and wow, did the MyComfy Matte Lip Stylo deliver. I definitely lean into the color black when putting together holiday looks, so I love that this pop of red allows me to be a little festive while staying true to my fashion taste."
"Maybe this is controversial, but I love applying my foundation with my fingers. I feel like I can really get it into my skin and it looks the most natural."
— Anna
$59
Dolce&Gabbana
Everlast Foundation
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Dolce&Gabbana
My Comfy Matte Lip Stylo
$45
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$54
Dolce&Gabbana
Everlast Primer
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$35
Dolce&Gabbana
Everfull XL Mascara
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SHOP THE LOOK
If you're looking for a makeup look that brings the wow factor, this is it. "I am 100% recreating this classic red lip and winged eyeliner moment for a fancy holiday party. The MyComfy Matte Lip Stylo absolutely blew me away the first time I applied it. Not only is this particular shade of red universally flattering, but the pigment and color payoff is so striking that you only need to apply a light layer to achieve a flawless finish. The formula is also incredibly comfortable to wear and stays put even while drinking and eating."
$29
Dolce&Gabbana
That's My Line! Waterproof Eyeliner
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Dolce&Gabbana
My Comfy Matte Lip Stylo
$45
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$35
Dolce&Gabbana
Everfull XL Mascara
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$58
Dolce&Gabbana
Everlift Luminizer
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SHOP THE LOOK
"After applying, use a small brush and a touch of concealer to clean up any lipstick smudges around the mouth and create a clean, sharp line." — Emma
"I never leave the house without mascara. Even if I'm not wearing any other makeup, a swipe of mascara will complete me. I just feel more put together and awake."
— Anna
Long, fluttery lashes and a flick of liner made Anna's eyes the focal point of this look. First, she applied a swipe of the Everfull XL Mascara to amplify her lashes. "It coats every lash and doesn't clump," she says. And, with sugilite being one of fashion's biggest winter color trends, I wasn't surprised that it made an appearance in her holiday makeup routine. "When it comes to my everyday eye makeup, I like to stick to what I know—neutrals. But for the holidays, I'm excited to branch out," she says. "I tried the purple That's My Line! Waterproof Eyeliner and felt so confident. Some liquid eyeliners go on too inky, but the consistency of this one is perfect."
$35
Dolce&Gabbana
Everfull XL Mascara
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Dolce&Gabbana Face&Eyes
Match Bronzer & Eyeshadow Powder
$54
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$29
Dolce&Gabbana
That's My Line! Waterproof Eyeliner
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$45
Dolce&Gabbana
My Comfy Matte Lip Stylo
SHOP NOW
SHOP THE LOOK
sugar plum fairy
eyeshadow
glam
red
sugilite
liner
flawless skin
bold
ruby lips
plum fairy
eyeshadow
&
carpet
long lashes
&
sugilite
sugilite