The 12 Best Holiday Makeup Tutorials

The holidays are great for so many reasons — the comfiest fashion, the greatest food, gift giving, and endless, scrumptiously flavored lattes. But the real wintertime winner is makeup. If you’re ready to get festive, here are 12 holiday makeup tutorials that'll get you in a festive mood in no time. Bring out the eggnog!

Generally, holiday makeup follows a specific recipe for glamour greatness. A typical wintertime, holiday-appropriate look goes something like this: a jet black, winged cat eye over a shimmering, all over eyes shadow with a beaming, golden highlight, thick false lashes, and a bold, cool-toned red lip. Whew. That’s a lot of makeup, a lot of time, and a lot of product. But ‘tis the season, right?

This is the universal look for good reason. It looks great on every skin tone, it’s achievable with all drugstore products, and it’s appropriate for every event, from dinner with family to the office party. Also, neutral to cool-toned red lips look great on everyone, and shimmering shadows are just plain fun. If you can master this look, you can pretty much do it all when it comes to makeup. Promise.

Every year, my favorite YouTube beauty vloggers release their holiday glam tutorials. While most adhere to the same formula, it’s nice to see all the subtly different interpretations of this classic look.

1. Laura Lee's Holiday Tutorial

A monochromatic, deep burgundy take on the classic holiday looks. You can always switch it up by going all matte.

2. Jaclyn Hill's Soft Glam Holiday Tutorial

This is a really girly look that is soft enough to wear to the office Christmas party. You can always amp it up by applying liner, or tone it down with a nude lip.

3. Casey Holmes Holiday Tutorial

If you want to look festive but are in a rush, this tutorial is for you. Winter is the one time everyone can embrace glitter and frosty formulas.

4. BeautyBird's Warm Holiday Makeup Tutorial

I love this warm makeup look, especially for a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving gathering.

5. NikkiTutorial's Soft Glam Holiday Tutorial

A soft pink eye is reminiscent of candy canes and sugar plums. It's a super flirty, feminine look that isn't a ton of look.

6. Patrick Starrr & Manny MUA's Holiday Tutorial

Patrick Starrr has some roots in drag, so don't expect him to play coy with makeup, especially during the holidays!

7. Kathleen Light's Thanksgiving Tutorial

Another look that is perfect for Thanksgiving and really any time during the colder months. We'll miss these colors when spring rolls back around.

8. Myra Touch of Glam Drugstore Makeup Tutorial

Golden, warm eyes are a great way to warm up the face and feel bronzed during the winter months.

9. Nicole Guerriero's Holiday Party Look

Green can be intimidating, but this tutorial walks you through working with this wacky color.

10. Kathleen Light's Golden Thanksgiving Tutorial

Kathleen is the queen of warm tones, and her product suggestions are always on point.

11. Manny MUA's Red & Green Makeup Tutorial

I love this literal take on holiday decorations. Surprisingly, the combination looks great in makeup form.

12. Shaaanxo's Icy Snow Christmas Look

This is a great look that still has the light, airy feel of spring and summer makeup.

Image: NikkiTutorials/YouTube