This year’s holiday festivities may lack the grandeur of yesteryear’s elaborate gatherings—goodbye to lavish parties—but that shouldn’t stop you from dressing up, indulging in self-care, and trying out new makeup looks.
Indeed, the glamorous makeup trends seen on the autumn/winter ’20/’21 runways can be recreated with natural, nontoxic cosmetics available at health-focused stores. With insights from two makeup professionals, we’ll guide you through the steps.
The ‘soft smoky eye’ that’s anything but intimidating
Achieving the perfect smoky eye can seem daunting. I’ll admit, my teenage attempts veered into raccoon territory rather than looking chic.
Clean beauty expert Natalia Lavaggi reassures us that creating a smoky eye doesn’t have to induce fear or necessarily be dark. (This season, a lighter version of the smoky eye has been a trend on runways from Dior to Givenchy.)
- Begin with a gentle touch. Use soft shades like grays, blues, or lavenders, applying them “along your upper and lower lash lines.”
- For that smoldering effect, lightly blend using a brush or a cotton swab.
- To amp it up, layer more of the same shades or incorporate deeper tones such as plum or charcoal in the crease area, as recommended by Lavaggi.
- Enhance the drama by adding a touch of black eyeliner to your lower lash line.
According to Lavaggi, the secret to mastering a smoky eye lies in blending: “Make sure to blend thoroughly to avoid harsh edges, applying lightly and gradually until you achieve your desired intensity.”
To elevate the look, beauty and style guru Nadia Albano suggests a sprinkle of glitter at the center of the smoky eye for a dimensional effect.
The adventurous bold lip
If classic red isn’t your shade, you’re in luck—oxblood lip colors are trending this season. And if your perfectly applied lipstick gets a little smudged—perhaps during a mistletoe moment with a partner—don’t worry. That blurred, just-kissed pout was an A/W runway favorite this year.
Opt for natural pigments blended with nourishing ingredients like plant oils and cocoa butter.
The sparkle that’s one step from diamonds
Albano’s approach to shimmer? “[It’s] a wonderfully playful way to introduce texture and is perpetually stylish during the holiday season.” Naturally shimmering eye products offer an eco-friendly nod to the extravagant embellishments showcased on runways, such as Giambattista Valli’s real crystal eye decorations and Erdem’s metallic foil detailing.
“Soft silver liners and metallic eyeshadows exude elegance and are exciting choices for holiday glam,” Lavaggi observes.
If you’re looking for a more subdued sparkle for your virtual get-togethers, consider using an illuminating powder on your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose with a blush brush, or a solid illuminator applied with fingertips. These products deliver a natural shimmer derived from mineral pigments instead of chunky artificial glitter.
