‘Tis the season to be trendy! Christmas is a great time to experiment with some new beauty looks ahead of the new year. Glitter, sparkle, red and accessories are always big winners for Christmas hair and makeup, but that isn’t all.
If you’re looking for some Christmas hair and makeup trends for 2021 that go further than a bit of tinsel to your ponytail (okay, secretly I’m still into this), I’ve got you. Let’s review the best Christmas hair and makeup styles that you’re going to want to try this year.
1. Festive Red Lips
A classic red lip never goes out of fashion, and it’s official: lipstick’s back for AW21. No other colour says “Christmas” quite as much as red, so if you’ve been waiting to try it out for your pout then the time is now! It’s a beautiful, glam look that’s perfect for Christmas parties.
A matte or liquid lipstick works best for longer wear (i.e. at your Christmas party). These formulations can be a little drying so make sure you prep your lips properly and use a hydrating lip balm before and after.
2. Crystal Eye Makeup
If you really want to up the sparkle this Christmas, crystal eye makeup is the look for you. It sounds a bit full on, but — trust me on this one — there are ways of making it more subtle and wearable.
Try dotting one crystal at the inner corner of your eyes or add one above and underneath your eye too (this trend has been huge on TikTok recently). If you want to go all-out then you could try a full crystal eye or experiment with crystal eyeliner.
You can either buy self-adhesive crystals for this trend, or use a tiny dot of skin-friendly glue to attach the crystals to your face. Be careful and don’t rush it — depending on how intricate you go, you need some patience for this creative and captivating look.
3. Festive Nail Art
If you can’t experiment with nail art at Christmas then when can you really? Go for red, gold, glitter and holiday-themed nail designs.
Try out a sparkly accent nail, or experiment with nail transfers or nail wraps. There are loads of Christmas-themed false nails to try if you don’t have a steady hand, or you can book a salon appointment if you want something more unique.
Festive nails are the best way to get Christmas hair and makeup vibes without having to wonder if it’ll go with the rest of your look.
4. Metallic Eyeshadow
Metallics are always big news at this time of year as the whole Christmas season shines and glows. Whether it’s gold, silver, bronze or jewel tones, try out a metallic eyeshadow this AW21 and sparkle along with the season.
Add a wash of shimmer shadow or delicate metallic eyeliner, or go all-out with a bold metallic eyeshadow. It even works as a smokey eye, with just a hint of shimmer pigment over the top. I’m obsessed!
5. Braids and Twists
The UK’s winter weather isn’t usually hair-friendly. If you want to keep your Christmas hairstyle in check, whatever the weather, try adding braids or twists.
There are loads of tutorials across Pinterest and TikTok to help you get some inspiration. You can incorporate them with almost any style for a look that’s as relaxed or high-maintenance as you want.
Practice makes perfect with this one! Have a couple of trial runs before you head out. Some styles are much easier with an extra pair of hands so rope in that friend who’s great at doing everyone’s hair for a night out.
6. Green Eyeliner
Graphic eyeliner has been a big trend for AW21. For a look that would make even the Grinch green with envy, make it Kelly green.
Keep the rest of your Christmas hair and makeup scaled back. This works with any eye colour and you can go as detailed as you want. Why not try a reverse cat eye or smudge it out a little using a soft brush?
It’s a super simple eye trend for Christmas, all you need is a green eyeliner pen or pencil (whichever you prefer) and a steady hand.
7. Updos
I love that updos are back! From claw clips through to chignons and undone styles, this hair look is great for festive parties, heading to the Christmas markets or even Christmas Day itself.
Some are super easy to do (hello, claw clips) and look great even if you spent five minutes getting ready for a last-minute invite and didn’t have time to wash your hair. Check out Pinterest, YouTube or TikTok for some style inspo.
Another big bonus is that it keeps your hair out of your face, so you can hit the dance floor without a care in the world (an absolute must when the DJ throws Mariah on at the Christmas party).
8. Radiant Skin
This one never really goes out of fashion, but luminous, glowing skin is in for AW21. It’s the perfect Christmas party makeup to combat dull, winter skin.
Think natural finishes, subtle highlighting and an illuminated base. Prep your skin by cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising to make sure it’s flake-free. You can add a light oil if you feel like you need a little hydration help. (You definitely don’t want dry skin for this look!)
A glowing primer with a hydrating foundation (I love a BB cream or a serum foundation) is the ideal base. Use a light-reflecting concealer to hide any imperfections. Then add a cream highlighter where light naturally hits your face and get ready to glow!
9. Luxe Hair
If you fancy a new hairstyle to take you into 2022 then you’re going to want to go luxe. According to Stylist, luxurious, rich hair colour is on-trend for AW21. Think multi-tonal cashmere blonde, rich brunette hues, ombre and metallic copper tones.
It’s glossy, shiny and looks expensive — ideal for the decadent festive season. The good news is that it doesn’t have to break the bank (we can hear your December balance breathing a sigh of relief from here… mine too).
Try a toner that enhances the natural shades in your hair. They’re temporary but add depth without the salon spend. Take a little time out from the party season to deep condition and style your hair for a high-end aesthetic too.
10. Sparkly French Tips
If you want a look that’ll last longer than the festive season, I’ve got three words for you: sparkly French tips. They’re easy to do and work with any nail shape — the only rule is to make it sparkle!
All you need is a glitter polish (you can use gel if you’d prefer a longer-lasting mani). There are some nail art tools like thin brushes or sponges that you dip your nails into for a crisp line, but you can use your normal polish brush too.
And voilà!
Find Your Perfect Christmas Hair and Makeup Look
When it comes to Christmas hair and makeup, the most important thing is that you have fun with it. It’s a season where pretty much anything goes and you can get away with adding some extra glitter.
It’s the perfect time of the year to experiment with your look and make it as creative as you like, whether that’s your hair, makeup, nails or your beauty routine. That said, what styles will you be trying out this Christmas season?
This article was written by Lucy Thorpe, a freelance writer and marketer from the UK. She specialises in writing about beauty, fashion and lifestyle (with a bit of marketing thrown in for good measure). In her spare time you can find her reading, cooking or heading off to explore nature from her home at the edge of the Peak District.
Leave a Reply