As a beauty editor who swears by clean, minimal glamour, I don’t believe in piling on products for the holidays. The best festive looks should feel effortless: polished but not overdone, with subtle details that shine brighter than flashy hues. Below are my 14 must-have makeup picks for 2025’s holiday season—each one aligns with the “understated luxury” trend, and even makeup newbies can nail the vibe.
Flawless Base (4 Products)
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Estée Lauder x SHUSHU/TONG Cushion Foundation: Built with the same long-wearing formula as the iconic Double Wear, plus hyaluronic acid for a skin-like fit that never looks cakey. SPF 45 means it holds up through day-to-night holiday errands without fading.
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M·A·C Studio Fix Fluid Foundation: A creamy, hydrating texture that delivers “your skin but better” coverage. Pair it with M·A·C’s Fix+ Setting Spray and Sheer Finish Powder for a bright, long-lasting base.
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Mistine Glow Lasting Cushion: Boasts impressive staying power—if anything, it looks better as you wear it (no mid-party shine breakthroughs). It doesn’t settle into smile lines or corners of the mouth, and won’t clog pores even after late-night celebrations.
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Florasis Loose Setting Powder: Ultra-fine, oil-controlling, and packaged in a sleek, elegant case. It sets makeup without dulling your base, keeping your complexion fresh and translucent all day.
Atmospheric Eye Makeup (3 Products)
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3CE Mood Recipe Eyeshadow Palette: Features soft matte cool-toned browns blended with subtle shimmer—one palette handles both base and highlight. Perfect for the winter’s “cold-chic” makeup trend.
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Milk Touch High-Shine Glitter Eyeshadow Liquid: Loaded with crystal-like micro-glitter. Dab a tiny bit on the inner corners and front half of your lower lash line to brighten eyes without looking over-the-top.
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Judydoll Contour Palette: Comes with a matte highlighter and natural nose contour shade. The fine powder doesn’t fly everywhere, making it easy to carve out defined eye sockets—ideal for beginners.
Complexion Boosters (4 Products)
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M·A·C Powder Blush in GRAND: A rose-tea hue that delivers a “natural flush” effect—like you’re glowing from the inside out. The creamy texture won’t accentuate pores or dry patches.
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NARS Blush in Orgasm: A classic with subtle iridescence that flatters every skin tone. The 2.5g mini size is perfect for travel, and a little goes a long way—great value for money.
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Estée Lauder x SHUSHU/TONG Velvet Lipstick in #850 Suede Brown: A low-saturation cinnamon brown that’s soft and sophisticated. Infused with three plant extracts, it keeps lips moisturized without feeling greasy.
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Dior Addict Lip Glow (Clear): Offers a thick, glossy finish. Layer it over a cool pink lipstick for a festive “frosted jelly lip” look that’s holiday-perfect.
Finishing Tools (3 Products)
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Maybelline Eye & Lip Remover: Features a 97% golden water-oil ratio that dissolves waterproof eyeliner and long-wearing lip gloss in seconds. It doesn’t sting the eyes or leave a greasy residue.
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RMK Cool Pink Lipstick: Wear it thin as a base—its cool pink undertone brightens skin and lays the groundwork for a soft jelly lip look.
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Mao Geping Black Cream: A lifesaver for dry skin before makeup. A small amount smooths out fine lines, ensuring your base applies seamlessly and stays put.