Celebrity makeup artists spill the beans on the beauty hacks for the festive season.
By Sonam Poladia
As the festive season sparkles on the horizon, we’re all in search of that perfect, radiant look to light up our celebrations. Who better to reveal the secrets than the experts who keep the stars shining on red carpets and runways? Celebrity makeup artists are spilling their best-kept beauty hacks, from long-lasting glow tips to effortless glam techniques that survive a night of dancing. These pros share the inside scoop on everything from prepping your skin to making that makeup last till dawn, so you can look and feel fabulous throughout every festive event.
Bianca Louzado
Q: How do you create the perfect festive season look?
A: To create the perfect festive season look, I always start with a palette like the Pat McGrath Divine Rose, which offers a beautiful mix of earthy tones, pinks, and coral matte shadows, along with some stunning UV glitter shadows to really make the eyes pop. I love adding a bit of drama with emerald green or electric blue liners from Makeup Forever or Danessa Myricks. For a luminous, dewy finish, I swear by the foundation from Haus Labs. To give my lips that full, luscious look, the new Fenty Gloss Bomb is my go-to. And to make sure my makeup stays flawless all night, I never skip the All-Nighter Setting Spray by Urban Decay.
My go-to makeup technique is blending a good amount of liquid illuminator with foundation to create a stunning, lit-from-within glow. I love to pair this with light, fluttery false lashes. Whether it's for brides or festive occasions, I find that peachy, pink, or nude blushes really ups your glam quotient.
Top 3 makeup picks: Fenty Beauty, Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick, HAUS LABS, Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation, Giorgio Armani, Neo Nude Color Melting Balm Cream Blush
Lekha Gupta
Q: How do you create the perfect festive season look?
I think a stylish winged liner with loads of mascara is the perfect fit for the festive season. It’s quick, chic, and draws attention to the eyes. Pair it with flushed cheeks and a soft pink lip gloss, and you’ve got a beautiful, effortless combo that works well with festive outfits.
I absolutely love Kajal. Kohl-rimmed eyes are my go-to for brides; they’re so timeless and elegant. To soften the look, I blend in shades of brown, brick, and rust to add extra dimension. Matte nude lips with a peachy blush and a touch of golden-hued highlighter tie it all together beautifully.
Q: A trend you love, and one that needs to go?
I’m really into the glazed blush trend at the moment. Adding a glossy sheen to the blush gives the face a lovely, luminous glow, especially when paired with a dewy base. It’s fresh, radiant, and perfect for the festive season. Too much contouring can overpower the natural beauty of a look, and it often takes away from the simplicity and elegance I love.
Lekha's Top 3 Picks: Huda Beauty Faux Lip Gloss, MAC Cosmetics Kohl Pencil in Teddy, Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter
Mitali Vakil
Q: How do you create the perfect festive season look?
A little bit of glitter, a hint of kajal, and you can never go wrong with cute chand balis and bangles. It’s all about keeping things light, fun, and festive, with just the right touch of sparkle to make you stand out.
Q: Your go-to makeup technique?
I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to bridal or festive makeup. It really depends on the vibe of the bride I’m working with. Makeup is an art, and like all art forms, it’s highly subjective. That being said, some fundamentals always apply – ensuring makeup longevity, making everything waterproof (and I mean everything), and most importantly, making sure the bride feels comfortable with what we’re doing. The look should enhance her beauty and personality, not overshadow it.
I’m absolutely loving the new boyfriend blush trend! It’s so fresh, natural, and gives that lovely flushed-from-within look. It’s perfect for creating that effortless glow. A trend that needs to go is heart-shaped contouring! It’s just too gimmicky and takes away from the natural flow of the face.
Mitali's Top 3 Picks: Pat McGrath cream blush in Divine Rose, Urban Decay Stay Naked Self-Setting Foundation, Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Namrata Soni
Q: How do you create the perfect festive season look?
A: For the eyes, I love a shimmery, glittery look with gold tones, always stunning! I use soft pinks, bronze, and browns on the eyelids with dark brown for contouring, then apply black or dark brown kajal close to the lash line. For extra drama, I add two to three coats of kajal and finish with cluster lashes to open up the eyes. For smaller eyes, use rose gold kajal on the waterline to make them pop, while black kajal works for larger eyes to balance the look.
For the cheeks, a bronzy peach blush applied high on the cheekbones works beautifully. I follow with a cream highlighter on the cheekbones, nose, and cupid's bow for a glow. To complete the look, I prefer a matte lipstick with a touch of lip balm for a soft, glowing finish.
I’m really into the no-makeup look. I’m so happy it's trending because it’s all about dewy, fresh skin — not glass skin, but something more natural and healthy-looking. I think microblading for the eyebrows needs to be forgotten. It's gone too far, and the balance between too much and too little has been lost. - Namrata Soni
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