I’m going to say something that might upset your favorite gold eyeshadow palette: holiday makeup is getting a lot more interesting in 2026.
For years, we’ve relied on some version of gold shimmer, red lipstick, and a smoky eye whenever the holiday invitations start rolling in. And while I love a classic, the beauty trends coming out of the Fall/Winter 2026 runways are telling a different story.
We’re seeing icy silver eyeshadow, cranberry-colored cheeks, deep Bordeaux lips, and makeup that feels a little more romantic, a little more dramatic, and surprisingly easier to recreate than you might think.
After looking at the runway shows, Pinterest’s latest beauty trend report, and what makeup artists are experimenting with, I think we’re about to see two very different beauty moods dominate the holidays: icy metallics and rich, romantic berry tones.
And the best part? You don’t need an entirely new makeup bag to pull either one off.
1. Frosted metallic makeup
Photo Credit:@maryonthebeat
Pinterest's October 2026 beauty report flagged frosted makeup as a breakout search direction, reporting a 286% rise in interest. The look is all reflective silver, cool pewter and icy blue rather than the usual warm holiday gold. I love that it can look dramatic without requiring a complicated smoky eye. My forecast is that a single flash of metallic color will be one of the most recognizable party-makeup details this winter.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Prime your lids, then press a reflective shadow such as Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow onto the center of each lid. Blend a little espresso shadow at the outer corner so the silver has some depth, especially against deeper skin tones. For a simpler version, use a silver metallic eyeliner and leave the rest of your eye makeup neutral. Finish with mascara and a rose-brown lip rather than adding shimmer everywhere.
Ulta
24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow Singles
$25
Ulta
Epic Wear Liner Stick Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil
$9
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer
$8
2. Cranberry blush
Photo Credit:@shawna.agye
Fall/Winter 2026 runway beauty at Simone Rocha and Erdem brought cranberry-toned cheeks into focus. It's a richer, more romantic alternative to the peach and baby-pink blushes we often reach for. Pinterest also reported growing searches for berry blush, which suggests women are interested in more expressive cheek color. Of all the holiday trends I'm watching, this might be the easiest one to wear on a regular Tuesday.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Tap a berry cream blush onto the upper apples of your cheeks and blend toward your temples. MERIT Flush Balm in Après is one shade to consider for this effect, or try a deeper berry blush from Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush line. Start with a tiny amount and build slowly, especially if you're using a highly pigmented liquid formula. Pair it with brown mascara and a sheer berry lip so your cheeks remain the focus.
Amazon
Flush Balm Cream Blush Stick
$55.90
Rare Beauty
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
$25
3. Bordeaux and black cherry lips
Photo Credit:@glowwithlilian
Classic red lipstick will always belong at a holiday party, but Bordeaux and black cherry bring a moodier energy. Seasonal beauty reporting has highlighted deep berry colors and softer, blurred lip edges. The result feels romantic rather than overly precise, which is exactly what I want for a dinner party. It's also a wonderful way to make simple eye makeup feel intentional.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Outline your lips with a wine or deep-brown pencil and soften the edge with a fingertip. Press on a deep lipstick from Juvia’s place current wine-toned range, or choose a sheer berry stain for less maintenance. Blot once to create that lived-in finish, or add a little clear gloss if you want a black-cherry shine. Keep your eyes to mascara and a soft brown line so the lipstick gets the attention.
Juvia's Place
The Wines Velvety Matte Lipstick
$15
MAC Lip Liner Pencil
Centre Of Attention
$25
4. Jewelry-inspired eyes
Photo Credit:@priscilatorres_hairmakeup
I'm fascinated by the idea of treating eye makeup like jewelry. Pinterest's October report showed rising searches for rhinestone makeup, face gems and graphic eyeliner. Instead of a whole glittery lid, the look is about one reflective detail placed exactly where you want attention. It's the kind of beauty choice that can make a simple black dress feel party-ready.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Begin with your usual soft brown eye makeup and choose one accent: metallic liner, multichrome shadow or tiny face gems. Danessa Myricks Beauty's color-shifting eye products are worth exploring if you want a reflective finish. If you're adding gems, choose cosmetic-grade pieces and an adhesive explicitly intended for that placement near the eyes. Leave the rest of your makeup simple so the detail looks deliberate rather than crowded.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Colorfix - Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment
$22
5. Softly blurred skin
Photo Credit:@vanessa_gyimah
Not every holiday beauty trend needs to sparkle. Across Fall/Winter makeup coverage, softer skin finishes are giving bold lips and eyes room to shine. I prefer a complexion that looks like skin rather than a heavy layer competing with every other feature. That balance is what makes this direction feel modern and wearable.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Prep with moisturizer, then apply a thin layer of L'Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum or NARS Light Reflecting Foundation. Add concealer only where you want more coverage instead of layering foundation everywhere. Press a small amount of setting powder around the nose and forehead, leaving the cheeks more natural. Finish with cream blush and let your statement lip or eye do the rest.
Amazon
L'Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
$20.99
Amazon
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
$55
Amazon
e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder
$14
6. Statement lashes
Photo Credit:@lavish.glance
Pinterest's reported growth in searches for cluster lashes and wispy cat-eye lashes tells me women are getting specific about lash shape. A soft, elongated lash can make an entire look feel dressed up without layers of shadow. That's especially useful when you're pairing the eyes with a deep holiday lip. I expect more party looks built around lashes as the single statement.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Curl your lashes and apply mascara before deciding how much extra length you want. Try Ardell Demi Wispies for a lightweight strip-lash effect or KISS lash clusters for customizable placement. Concentrate the longer pieces toward the outer corner if you want an elongated shape. Keep eyeshadow neutral and follow all adhesive instructions carefully.
Amazon
Ardell Demi Wispies
$12.54
7. Chocolate and plum smoky eyes
Photo Credit:@mirela_make.up
Black smoky eyes are classics, but espresso, chocolate and plum make beautiful alternatives for winter 2026. These shades bring the depth you want for evening without always feeling as stark as solid black. I particularly love chocolate shadow with a glossy nude-brown lip. It's festive, but it doesn't announce itself from across the room.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Draw a chocolate or plum eyeliner close to your upper lashes and smudge it before it sets. Blend a matching matte shadow through the outer half of your lid, using Makeup by Mario's Master Mattes palette for a brown-based version. Add a touch of shimmer in the center only if you want extra light. Finish with mascara and a neutral lip so the smoky color stays in focus.
MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes® Eyeshadow Palette: The Original
$56
Amazon
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
$23
8. Monochromatic berry makeup
Photo Credit:@e.g.beautystudio
If you're not interested in learning a whole new makeup technique, monochromatic berry is the trend I'd recommend first. It simply means wearing related shades of plum, mauve or rosewood on your cheeks, eyes and lips. The colors don't need to match perfectly, which makes the look much easier to pull off. It feels dressed up for Christmas dinner but still makes sense after the holidays.
HOW TO RECREATE IT AT HOME
Pick a berry or plum blush, such as MERIT Flush Balm in a suitable shade, and use it as your color starting point. Add a soft mauve-brown eyeshadow and a sheer lip product such as Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. Keep the cheek color lighter than the lip for a little dimension rather than matching everything exactly. Finish with mascara and a natural complexion for an easy coordinated look.
Amazon
Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey
$25
Amazon
MERIT Flush Balm
$55.90
