As Christmas is just days away, there’s no better time to get creative with your makeup and have a little fun. A red and green look may seem bold and unwearable, but with the right techniques and products, it can be transformed into a sophisticated masterpiece. The reason red and green looks so festive as a color combo, is because they are on opposite sides of the color wheel – which is why typically contrasting shades do look so great paired together!
Why You Should Try This Look
A red and green makeup look is the perfect blend of festive and refined. It allows you to embrace the holiday spirit while maintaining a polished, chic appearance. Speaking of red, if you want to jump on the hottest trend in blush right now, I have shown you “How To Wear Red Blush” in this past post!
The jewel-toned green adds a modern twist, while the classic red lip exudes timeless elegance. Whether you’re attending a holiday party or capturing Instagram-worthy moments, this look will guarantee compliments.
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Of course you could go all out with a very dramatic matte bright red lip and smokey green shadow look, and I would cheer you on with a, “You go girl!”! Even Betty Grable wore this holiday red and green makeup combo found from 1942!
But today I’m going to show off a slightly more subtle way to wear this combo, that still looks festive.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to achieving my red and green makeup look that will make you the star of every festive gathering! Of course wearing a gorgeous + cozy white or cream sweater/cardigan makes for the perfect backdrop and lets the makeup take center stage.
The Face: Glowing and Balanced
- Flawless Base: Use a light to medium coverage foundation stick such as the Fenty Eaze Drop Stick Blur + Smooth Tint Stick, $36, to even out your complexion but make it look like it’s breathing and fresh!
2. Subtle Contour: Add definition + warmth to your look with another creamy stick product, like Rare Beauty’s Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick, $26. I’m wearing shade “Happy Sol,” it’s become my most worn bronzer this winter. This formula is spectacular and so easy to draw on your contour with and blends out like a dream!
3. Festive Flush With Highlight: Choose a rosy blush with a hint of shimmer and warmth. I get this vibe from mixing together a few shades from the highly sought after Ambient Light Palettes by Hourglass, $90, that have been hard to track down and sold out so many places. If you can get your hands on one, do it, they’re worth every penny.
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The Eyes: A Festive Twist on Green
- Prime Your Lids: Start with an eyeshadow primer to ensure your look lasts all day – especially if you’re adding a shimmer product. Try elf’s Lock It Down Lid Primer, $7.
2. Define with Depth: Sweep a neutral warm brown shade along your crease for dimension, but leave the lash to crease area blank so you can add color there next. I love using a good bronzer as my brown shadow – using the Gucci Sun Kissed bronzer in 02 light (which is actually quite dark, just FYI), $65.
3. Shimmering Green Magic + Liner: Grab a jewel or khaki-toned green eyeliner – I’m using the Urban Decay 24/7 liner in “Mildew,” $24. And then a similar shade of shadow like my go-to green shimmer from Hourglass Scattered Lights in “Vivid,” $30, right in the center area of the eye we left blank. Y’all already know I’m obsessed with these things! I tap it on with my finger and then blend the edges softly with a fluffy brush to avoid harsh lines.
4. Pop of Highlight: Add a touch of champagne shimmer to the inner corners with the highlighters from the Hourglass palette.
5. Lashes: Lots of your favorite mascara on the top and bottom! I did a black mascara on top lashes then the L’Oreal Voluminous in deep green, $11, on just the lower lashes!
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The Lips: Classic Red Elegance
Perfect the Shape: Outline your lips and then color them in completely with a red lip liner like Makeup By Mario’s “Niels”, $24, to prevent feathering and give a nice lip stain of red. I like the included brush on the end to blur this into my lips.
2. Add some Shine: I do love a matte red lip, but for fun, I’m topping off the red stained lip with a shimmery golden gloss! Feels very Marilyn Monroe-ish. The Nars Afterglow lip shine gloss, $28, in “A Lister,” is the prettiest clear gloss with gold shimmer in it! Perfect for New Years Eve too or worn alone to give your lips a hint of gold 🙂
Other look details: My Kendra Scott Two Finger statement ring is on sale! Grab it – it’s the coolest hand accessory I get complimented on all the time, $78. // These Bauble Bar celestial star earrings, $38, are always the easiest way to dress up my look – would be perfect for a new years eve look. // Similar cozy sweater cardigans in crisp cream or white found in this blanket wrap here, $178, or this Anthro cable knit here, $140, and zip up fuzzy cardigan here, $50. // My red chrome press on nails in “Cherry Glaze,” $14.
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Too scared of red and green makeup, but still want to try something new for the holidays? Follow along with my Glam Burgundy Makeup Tutorial instead. After all, the holidays are about joy, celebration, and a little sparkle!
I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt THANK YOU ALL for being here with me this past year on SAACA and following along with my tips, tricks, tutorials, and product reviews and recommendations It’s so much fun creating these weekly posts and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them and implementing my ideas into your beauty routines. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays beautiful friends from my family to yours!
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