The holiday season is basically award season for the rest of us. Your calendar is stacked, the group chats are buzzing, and the pressure to show up looking festive is very real. Between office parties, Friendsmas, and that one invite you almost skipped, your holiday glam has to work overtime. To help us survive the sparkle marathon, I tapped professional makeup artist Ashley Olivia for holiday glam pro tips that actually make sense.
Before you even pick up a brush, Ashley says inspiration is key. Scroll social media, peek at runway looks, and save what speaks to you. The goal is not to copy but to translate. Once it is time to lock it in, longevity matters, especially if you are popping in and out of multiple events.
Ashley swears by underpainting, a technique she often uses on brides who need their makeup to last all day with minimum touch-ups. “It’s going in with cream products first in the colors you want to build,” she says. “You layer cream to powder, and you can do it with eyeshadow, blush, or bronzer.” Translation: your makeup looks richer and lasts longer.
Setting your face is where the magic really happens. Ashley recommends starting with a hydrating mist to take down excess powder. Budget-friendly options like Morphe get the job done, while Charlotte Tilbury and Patrick Star One/Size bring finish that helps your holiday glam last from cocktails to dessert.
“The hydrating mist takes away the powdery look and melts the makeup together,” Ashley says. This is the key to giving you that lived-in, flawless finish before you head out the door. To lock everything in, start with a light dusting of setting powder and follow with a heavy-duty setting spray to prevent transfer when the hugs and holiday cheek kisses start flying.
And if matte is not your thing, toss a small touch-up kit in your bag because holiday glam should glow all night. Pack your favorite lip balm or gloss, a compact powder, a mini setting spray, and a small brush for any quick eye or cheek fixes. This way, you can refresh your look between parties and keep your makeup looking flawless from the first toast to the last photo.
Although there are a lot of holiday glam trends going on, Ashley stresses the importance of knowing yourself first. “If it’s a color that you wouldn’t wear in your closet, you probably want to wear the color on your face.”
She notes that jewel tones and reflective finishes are going to dominate the season. Think emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, amethyst purple, and deep teal. For reflective pops, metallic golds, silvers, and shimmering bronzes will add that festive glow.
Textures are key this time of year. “Velvet, cloud, sparkly/glowly are going to be three words for the holiday season.” Glow and refined glitter work at any age. “It often acts as a lightbox; it can make things look smooth if used properly,” Ashley says.
Her current go-to glitter glue comes from professional theater brands like Kryolan because it holds your sparkle in place and keeps makeup looking flawless even in extreme conditions, making it perfect for long holiday nights or crowded party scenes.
When adding sparkle, Ashley says, “Always do your eyes first before you start your complexion.” She recommends using a glitter glue or pen to create tackiness before pressing in shadow, and to “tap off your brush in between applications. It’s easy to go back to add more than to clean a pound of glitter off your face.”
And don’t skip lip care; hydrated lips are the foundation of every bold holiday lip look. A classic red or plum lip is always a go-to for festive glam and pairs perfectly with any sparkle or jewel-toned eye.
Don’t let holiday desserts be the only thing serving a treat this season. Holiday glam is the perfect excuse to play and experiment with your look.
Try something new or unexpected that shows off your personality. Your nails and makeup are your holiday accessories, so make them count. Which festive look are you most excited to try?
