My Current Holiday Party Glam Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide to My Festive Makeup Look
- sweetcarolinecollection
- Dec 17, 2025
- 4 min read
There’s something extra magical about getting ready for holiday parties — the soft glow of the lights, the festive energy in the air, and the chance to go a little extra with glam. This season, I’ve been loving a routine that’s dewy, soft, glowy, and long-lasting… the perfect recipe for nights filled with celebrations, photos, cocktails, and sparkle.
Every good makeup look begins with good skin prep. I start with my Lendava moisturizer, which gives my skin that perfectly plump, hydrated base. It melts in without feeling heavy and creates the smoothest canvas for foundation. Especially during winter — when my skin needs extra love — this step is essential.
For my complexion, I reach for the Ilia Super Skin Tint Serum in Bom Bom. It’s lightweight, hydrating, and gives that lit-from-within glow that looks so fresh for holiday parties. It evens out my skin tone without covering up my natural skin, which I love. It also layers beautifully with all the other products I use.
If I didn’t self-tan the night before (which is often during the winter), I add a touch of Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops into my base. It gives me that little kiss of warmth so I don’t look washed out under holiday lighting. Just one or two drops mixed into the Ilia tint does the trick.
Next up is the Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer — and honestly, this product is a holy grail for me. It goes on so smoothly and flawlessly, especially under the eyes. It brightens without settling into fine lines and blends into my skin like a dream. It’s truly the perfect concealer for glowy holiday makeup.
After blending, I set everything lightly with the iconic Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. It locks my base in place, keeps creasing away, and gives my skin that soft-focus, filtered finish — without ever looking cakey. A must for long nights out.
For shape, warmth, and dimension, I go in with the MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Cream Contour & Bronzer Shaping Stick. I apply it under my cheekbones, around my forehead, and a little along my jawline. It blends out beautifully and gives the most natural bronzed look — never muddy or harsh, just soft and sculpted.
Holiday cheeks need a little flush, and Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Encourage is perfection. It’s pigmented, but blends like velvet, leaving the prettiest rosy glow on my cheekbones. It adds that healthy pop of color that ties the whole complexion together.
This is my favorite part: glow time. I use the iconic Smashbox x BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Champagne Pop on the high points of my cheekbones, the tip of my nose, and a tiny bit above my lips. It’s the ideal holiday glow — warm, luminous, and perfect under twinkle lights and flash photography.
Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette(Glam neutrals, shimmers, and creamy mattes — so good for holiday glam.)
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette(Effortless, elegant, always flattering.)
Morphe Eyeshadow Palettes(Perfect for bolder looks or when I want to play with deeper, smokier tones.)
I typically skip eyeliner (I fully admit I’m not the best at it), but if I’m in the mood to dabble, I use the Glossier Pro Tip Long-Wearing Liquid Eyeliner Pen. It’s easy to control and gives a super clean line for a subtle wing.
For lashes, I’m obsessed with the Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara in black. It gives incredible length, separation, and drama without clumping — and it lasts through the entire night of celebrating. It’s one of my go-to mascaras ever.
I always start with Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk Medium, which gives such a perfect, defined shape.
The final touch: a good mist of Morphe Continuous Prep & Set Setting Mist+. It melts all the makeup together, keeps everything looking fresh and seamless, and helps the glam stay put through photos, dancing, dinner, and all the holiday fun ahead.
🎄✨ Happy Holidays!
This is my go-to glam routine this season, and it’s been perfect for every type of holiday party — from dinners to cocktail hours to festive nights out. It’s glowy, fresh, long-lasting, and so easy to recreate.
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