Winter Beauty Trends That Will Spice Up Your Holiday Season

From cold-weather chop to vampy wine hues, this annual beauty slumber is quite grungy and moody. 

If you’ve been feeling stuck in a beauty rut or uninspired by your everyday routine, this year's transitional beauty trends are here to reignite your creativity. This season embraces both ends of the spectrum - from soft, barely-there looks to bold, experimental glam. It’s all about breaking free from the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic and having fun with colour, texture, and personality. Whether that means going ahead with a cold-weather chop or swapping your nude lip for a caramel crush, letting your natural brows shine, or experimenting with shimmer and sculpted eyes, there’s a trend for every mood and moment. From the return of soft goth makeup to the classic shag cut, we’ve compiled a list of runway-approved beauty trends to help you ace the cooler climate.

Toasty Makeup

Reminiscent of dry autumn leaves and freshly baked cinnamon rolls, this warm-toned makeup look is all about looking perfectly toasted. Think the cosy warmth of terracotta, rust, and clay tones that bring a wind-swept glow to cooler days. Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski have long been loyal champions of this warm-toned aesthetic, proving its timeless appeal. Amal Clooney has recently embodied the trend at The Albies in New York. To achieve the toasty makeup look, start with a light, breathable base and add warmth using bronzer on the cheekbones, forehead, and eyelids. Blend earthy blush tones, like soft browns, brick and bronze gold across the cheeks and nose for a deep, moody autumnal flush. Finish with bronze or smoky brown eyeshadow and a nude lip lined in brown for a delectable caramel finish.

Soft Goth Dreams

This toned-down grungy makeup is quietly reclaiming the beauty zeitgeist—think greige or dark berry lips, cool-toned contouring instead of blush, and a matte finish that feels dramatic without being stark. It's a modern interpretation of the late-1970s goth look, closely related to the punk rebellion and Victorian mourning fashion. The first gothic makeup appeared on the silver screen with actor Musidora’s vampy look in the silent French film Les Vampires. 

The soft goth revival is gaining momentum through pop culture icons like Jenna Ortega’s ‘Wednesday Addams’ and the ‘90s whimsigoth aesthetic championed by Charli XCX and Rosalía. On the NYFW runways, designers like Kim Shui and Grace Ling showcased the trend with greige lips, diffused smoky eyes, and cool-toned contouring. Try sculpted cheekbones with a taupe contour, then top it off with a smoky liner or a vampy lip to channel this mysterious, moody glam.

Ripped Bob

Think model-off-duty energy - the kind effortlessly embodied by Elsa Hosk, Gigi Hadid, Halle Berry, and Hailey Bieber, all fans of the ripped bob. It is the ultimate cool-girl cut of the season. It's equal parts undone and ultra-chic, which celebrates natural texture and movement. This look is a nod to the laid-back ease of the early 2000s but with a refined, modern twist. It's best worn air-dried, and the look thrives on lived-in texture. Simply spritz a sea salt spray or lightweight mousse through damp hair to enhance natural waves. The result? A tousled, airy bob that feels both relaxed and intentional.

Vampy Wine Nails

The fastest way to get your beauty look winter-ready? A deep merlot or burgundy manicure - the cool-weather classic shade that instantly adds holiday spirit to your look. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Selena Gomez, and Pamela Anderson have already embraced various iterations of this deep, coloured hue, proving that vampy tones are one of the ultimate autumn statements. From merlot to oxblood, burgundy is a timeless shade that perfectly mirrors the season’s rich palette, pairing beautifully with marigolds, burnt oranges, and gold accents. Keep the nails short and natural for a chic and polished look, or add playful details like polka dots, glossy monochrome finishes, rounded tips, or even subtle animal prints to bring your fall manicure to life.

Shag Cut 

Shaggy layers are the most carefree, lived-in energy that perfectly complements the season’s shift toward undone and relaxed elegance. This trend celebrates natural movement and texture, featuring tousled lengths, soft layers, and effortless volume that blurs the line between polished and messy. From Prada’s artfully dishevelled waves to Jil Sander’s teased buns and Coach’s iconic hair-tuck moment, the look thrives on organic imperfection and individuality. At the Venice Film Festival, Suki Waterhouse served as a major shag-hair inspiration, while Pamela Anderson recently traded her signature honey-blonde locks for a rich copper shag. Earlier this year, cool-girl icons like Hoyeon Jung, Sophie Turner, and Miley Cyrus also embraced the effortless cool-girl energy. 

Berry Lips

Whether you’re sipping melted marshmallow hot chocolate by the fire or stepping out for an evening soirée, a bold berry pout is an inevitable cold-weather statement. This season’s take leans into lush, high-impact shades like garnet, black cherry, and mulled wine, which add instant glam to any look. On the runways, designers like Gucci and Rodarte paired these vampy tones with luminous skin and softly defined eyes, creating a balance between drama and elegance. The beauty of the berry lip lies in its versatility - it can be worn blurred for a romantic, lived-in finish or lacquered to channel full-on winter glamour.

Celestial Winter

The Wicked-inspired glam is taking over social media as we head into the holiday season. This dreamy, glow-forward aesthetic is all about soft shimmery eyes, frosted high points, and a lit-from-within radiance that gives an instant winter fairy finish. From Victoria’s Secret’s angelic runway looks to Wicked press tours and Ariana Grande’s latest R.E.M. Beauty campaign, the trend signals a frosty, fairytale-inspired winter ahead. Think icy glossed lids, cool-toned liners, and glass-like highlights - futuristic yet wearable, best achieved by layering glossy balms or cream shadows for that celestial sheen.