Christmas makeup for beginners: a warm glow look step by step

Create an easy Christmas makeup look with soft brown eyeshadow, a little shimmer, blush and subtle highlighter. Finish with defined lips and your favourite shine. You decide how much colour and sparkle to add.

In this guide, we build a warm festive look you can adapt to your skin tone and style. Beautiful for Christmas dinner, a party or a night out.

What do you need for this Christmas makeup look?

Have your usual base products ready, such as foundation or concealer and face powder if desired. These are optional. You will also need:

• An eyeshadow palette with a matte brown shade and a shimmery shade.
• A soft eyeshadow brush.
• Blush and a blush brush.
• Highlighter.
• Lip liner and lip gloss or lip oil.
• Mascara if desired, or half lashes with suitable lash glue.

You do not have to use everything. Soft eye makeup, blush and glossy lips alone can look festive.

The same Christmas look on light skin

Christmas makeup for beginners in 7 steps

1. Start with a thin, even base

Apply your usual skincare and let it absorb. Then use foundation or concealer where you want extra coverage. Work with small amounts and blend the edges at your jaw and hairline.

Powder only the areas you prefer to keep less shiny. You can then add shine selectively with highlighter.

Helpful with shimmer: using an eyeshadow that tends to fall beneath your eyes? Apply your eye makeup first and finish your base afterwards.

2. Build your eye look with soft browns

Start with a matte brown shade that shows on your skin without immediately looking very dark. Apply a small amount in and slightly above the crease, the fold above your lid. Check placement regularly while looking straight ahead with relaxed, open eyes.

Next, add a slightly darker shade to the outer corner. Blend the transition with small, gentle movements of a clean brush. Avoid continually picking up more product.

Soft brown may already create plenty of contrast on light skin. On deeper skin, a richer brown may be more visible. Choose the intensity you like.

Does the colour disappear when you open your eyes? Also read our tips for eye makeup for hooded eyes.

3. Dab shimmer onto the mobile lid

Your mobile lid is the part that moves when you blink. Use a flat brush or clean fingertip to apply a little shimmer to its centre. Start small and build up.

Gold, copper or bronze give this look warmth. Prefer cooler colours? Try a rosy shimmer and taupe instead of warm brown.

In the By Dash Beauty eyeshadow collection you will find palettes with matte shades and shimmers to combine.

4. Add blush for colour

Pick up a small amount of powder blush on your brush and tap off the excess. Apply the colour lightly to your cheeks and blend the edges.

Peach, warm pink or a deeper rose are lovely options with warm eye makeup. Above all, choose a colour that gives the effect you want on your skin. Check your makeup in daylight as you go.

Want more help with placement? See the step-by-step guide to applying blush and preventing patchiness.

5. Place highlighter where you want extra shine

Start on top of your cheekbones and softly blend the edges. Turn your face slightly towards the light to see how much shine you already have.

Want a golden accent? Explore the Golden Hour Highlighter. Apply a thin layer first and add more only where you want a stronger glow.

Want to know more about placement and different finishes? Read what highlighter does and where to apply it.

6. Finish your lip look

Choose a lip liner close to your natural lip colour for a soft outline, or a slightly darker shade for more definition. Draw with short strokes along your lip line and blend the line slightly inwards.

Then apply a thin layer of lip oil or lip gloss . Prefer a bold Christmas look? Pair your soft eye makeup with red lipstick.

Our guide to applying lip liner explains more about drawing, blending and choosing a shade.

7. Add extra lashes if you like

Finish the look with mascara. Want more emphasis at the outer corners? Then half lashes are an option.

Check the fit first and follow the instructions for your lashes and lash glue. Ideally try a new lash style before the festive occasion so you can practise without rushing.

For more guidance, see our step-by-step guide to applying false lashes.

Unsure which lashes suit your eye shape and desired look? Take our Lash Quiz for help choosing.

Touching up your Christmas makeup during dinner

Bring your lip product and, if useful, a small mirror. After eating, remove loose lip colour residue and touch up only where needed. Gently blot unwanted shine with a tissue before adding powder.

This keeps touch-ups simple and your festive look comfortable to wear.

Frequently asked questions about Christmas makeup

What is an easy Christmas makeup look for beginners?

Start with matte brown eyeshadow and a little shimmer on the lid. Add blush, a subtle highlight and glossy lips. Complicated eyeliner or false lashes are optional.

Do you have to wear red lipstick for Christmas?

No. Lip liner with lip oil or gloss also suits a festive look. Choose red if you want a bold colour accent on your lips.

How do you make this look more subtle?

Use less dark brown eyeshadow, limit shimmer to the centre of the lid and apply highlighter thinly. Choose lip liner close to your natural lip colour for a soft transition.

Make the look your own. Choose your favourite shades from our eyeshadow palettes and pair them with the Cloud Highlighters. Start with products you already enjoy using and add as much sparkle as suits you.