I Test-Drove 4 Over-the-Top Holiday Makeup Looks—Click Here for Inspiration

During the holidays, I’m usually compelled to do two things: make a big bowl of Christmas fettuccine (à la The Holiday) and get all glammed up with my makeup (even if I don't have any equally glamorous plans). I want to be as sparkly as a Christmas tree, and it’s easy with all of the gorgeous makeup collections out there. There have been some pretty impressive makeup products released both this season and throughout the year, from the likes of Danessa Myricks (have you seen the unbelievably iridescent shades in the newest Transcendence Palette?) to Nyx’s new Avatar-inspired collection, which is naturally filled with breathtaking blues. I have enough beauty inspo to get my glam on through the new year

On that note, I decided to show off four flamboyantly glamorous holiday looks, taking inspo from retro pinups, the Grinch, and more, plus the products that I used. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to go all out with the glitter and jewels yourself!

Grinch Mode

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(Image credit: @marielodiandreakos)

I decided to invoke the spirit of the Grinch but with a glam twist, and it ended up being one of my all-time-favorite looks. I used a chartreuse shade from the new Nyx Avatar collection, as well as this fantastic Kermit-green shadow from ColourPop’s Muppets collab (there are so many fun makeup collections lately). Danessa Myricks’s Twin Flames Liquid Eyeshadow delivered a straight-up wow factor to the inner corners of my eyes, and these star-shaped face gems from ColourPop topped it all off. I didn’t feel like a traditional red would work for lips (red and green is a little too on the nose for a holiday look), so I opted for a glittery coral-pink lipstick from Isamaya.

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Chrome Holiday

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(Image credit: @marielodiandreakos)

Confession: This look was basically a cheat because I had the honor and privilege of having Sarah Tanno do my makeup! Tanno is the longtime makeup artist of Lady Gaga and the global artistry director for Haus Labs. She gave me this ultra-dramatic eye and metallic lip look, which we dubbed Chrome Holiday (or Chroman Holiday). I felt like a total badass with this eye makeup. BRB, about to practice it myself!

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Showgirl in the Snow

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(Image credit: @marielodiandreakos)

I’ve been obsessed with the shade Replicant from About-Face’s Matt Eye Paint and wanted to base a holiday look around it, even though it’s more of a Tiffany blue than a winter blue. It’s a bright bold color, but I wanted to get crazy with it, so I piled on the sparkle shadows and glitter. Then, I studded my lower lash line with crystal gems, Showgirls style. I feel like this is what Nomi Malone would wear to a Christmas dinner. Mission accomplished.

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Classic Holiday Retro Glam

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(Image credit: @marielodiandreakos)

This may not be as over-the-top as the other looks, but I couldn’t help sneaking in my holiday go-to glam. I do this every year: a gold-and-bronze glitter shadow with matte makeup, a little bit of blush, winged eyeliner, and a red lip. It never fails. However, I usually do a brighter red for lipstick, and instead decided to do a darker lip. This Lime Crime Velvetine shade was perfect.

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Up next, How to Nail Wednesday's Goth Glam, According to the Show's Makeup Artist

Marie Lodi
Freelance Beauty and Fashion Writer/Editor

Marie has covered beauty, fashion, and lifestyle for almost 15 years. She contributes to the beauty section here at Who What Wear. Previously, she was the Looks Editor for Bust Magazine, built the beauty vertical at HelloGiggles as its beauty editor, and was a founding staff writer at Rookie mag, giving fashion advice to teens. Her bylines have appeared in The Cut, Allure, Glamour, The Hollywood Reporter, and more. She was born and raised in Southern California and is based in L.A. Marie is a self-proclaimed costume design nerd and a co-host of Makeover Montage, a podcast about fashion in film and costume design. You'll see her writing about her beauty obsessions: red lipstick, winged eyeliner, pink hair, nail art, and skincare for people over 40. When she's not working, she's playing with her dog, Gnocchi, and writing her style newsletter, Overdressed.