5 Holiday Eyeshadow Looks to Try This Season

The holidays are the perfect time to play with shimmer, color, and light — especially when it comes to eye makeup. Whether you’re getting ready for a cozy dinner party, a festive work event, or a sparkling New Year’s celebration, holiday eyeshadow looks are a beautiful way to express yourself and spread joy.

With easy-to-use, hydrating formulas from Thrive Causemetics® that blend in seconds and stay put all day, it’s easy to up your eye makeup game — no professional skills or 20-step tutorials required. From soft shimmers to cool winter tones, the following aspirational ideas are designed to help you feel luminous with minimal effort. So, grab a cup of something warm and settle in because it’s time to pick up some tips on achieving festive eye holiday eyeshadow looks this season! 

Festive Eyeshadow Looks for Every Holiday Occasion

From understated and elegant to radiant and celebratory, here are five beginner-friendly holiday eyeshadow looks using our best-selling Brilliant Eye Brightener™ eyeshadow stick and other effortless fan (and beauty editor) favorites.

1. Icy Lilac and Lavender for a Winter Refresh

Cool, icy tones feel fresh and modern for winter — especially when they catch the light. This lilac-inspired look is soft, romantic, and luminous without feeling overdone. Perfect for winter brunches, holiday concerts, or any moment that calls for something beautiful and effortless.

How to Get the Look:

• Start by applying Aylin (Lilac Shimmer) across the lid as your base shade. Focus most of the color toward the center of the lid to create brightness.
  

• Add dimension by blending Estrella (White Pearl Shimmer) into the inner corners and along the brow bone for a glowing highlight effect.

• Build soft definition by smudging Aylin again along the lower lash line.

2. Shimmery Olive and Gold for a Twist on Tradition

If you want a holiday look that still feels festive but with a little edge, smoky green and gold is a stunning alternative to classic red and bronze. The earthy green tones enhance every eye color, while the pop of warm gold shimmer adds just enough glamour to feel special without going over the top.

How to Get the Look:

• Apply Tamala (Smoky Green Shimmer) to the outer two-thirds of your lid, blending upward and outward to lift the eye softly.
  

• Press Gia (Warm Gold Shimmer) onto the center of the lid using your fingertip to create a reflective, glowing focal point.
  

• Soften the crease by blending where the two shades meet, creating a seamless transition from green to gold.
  

• Smudge a touch of Tamala along the outer lower lash line to add depth and tie the look together.
  

• For added dimension, tap a hint of Gia into the inner corner to brighten the eyes for a festive touch.

3. Taupe Gray with Silver Accents

A cool, smoky neutral eye is always in style, especially during the holidays. This look is striking without feeling heavy, making it a perfect choice for evening celebrations, dinner dates, or a dressed-up winter moment. The blend of taupe and silver adds dimension while keeping the look soft and sophisticated.

How to Get the Look:

• Glide Callie (Greige Taupe Shimmer) across the lid from lash line to crease as your base shade to create a smooth, neutral canvas with a hint of sheen.
  

• Add definition by applying Tracy (Cool Taupe Matte) to the outer corner of the eye and into the crease using small circular motions. This technique deepens the shape of the eye while keeping the look refined.
  

• Highlight and brighten by tapping Racquel (Soft Silver Shimmer) onto the inner corners and just below the arch of the brow.
  

• Smudge a little Tracy along the upper and lower lash lines for a soft, smoky finish.
  

• Optional: Press a touch more Racquel onto the center of the lid to catch the light beautifully in photos.

4. Terracotta and Copper for a Warm Winter Glow

No matter your holiday event, warm, earthy orange tones are always a staple. This terracotta-and-copper look flatters every skin tone and brings a cozy radiance to the eyes, like the glow of a holiday fireplace. It’s the perfect balance of soft and sultry, making it ideal for both daytime gatherings and evening celebrations.

How to Get the Look:

• Sweep Gailon (Terracotta Matte) through the crease using windshield wiper motions to create natural-looking depth and warmth.
  

• Apply Kaelyn (Warm Sienna Matte) across the lid and blend it into Gailon to create a seamless transition of color.
  

• Add a luminous pop by pressing Ruth (Peach Bronze Shimmer) onto the center of the lid. This step instantly brightens the look and adds festive radiance.
  

• Smudge a mix of Gailon and Kaelyn along the lower lash line to tie the look together and softly define the eyes.
  

• For an extra holiday touch, add a little more Ruth to the inner corners to make the eyes appear more awake and glowing.

5. Soft Smoke with Navy or Deep Plum

A smoky eye is a holiday classic, but this modern take utilizes softer shades. Navy and plum both enhance the eyes beautifully while still delivering that moody, evening-ready aesthetic. Whether you’re headed to a formal celebration or ringing in the new year, this look is equal parts elegant and eye-catching.

Both versions give you a soft smoke effect that feels wearable and refined, perfect if you’re looking for holiday glamour with a fresh twist! 

How to Get the Look (Navy Option):

• Trace Joni (Ocean Blue Shimmer) along the upper lash line and blend upward using your fingertip or a small brush to create a soft smoky effect.
  

• Sweep a touch of Joni along the lower lash line to balance the look and define the eyes.
  

• Press a tiny bit of shimmer onto the center of the lid for a dimensional finish.
  

How to Get the Look (Plum Option):

• Apply Lori (Plum Shimmer) over the lid, focusing on building color at the lash line and blending upward.
  

• Add depth by layering Riji (Cocoa Shimmer) on the outer corner and crease.
  

• Smudge Riji along the lower lash line to enhance the smoky shape and elongate the eyes.

How to Make Your Holiday Eyeshadow Look Last

Before you create your stunning look, here are some tips to keep it in place so your eyeshadow stays fresh from the first toast to the last goodnight.

Hydrate and Prep the Lid

Your eye area is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, so prepping is key to smooth, crease-free color. After your skincare routine, apply a lightweight eye cream and let it absorb fully. Follow with a thin layer of eyeshadow primer to prevent shadow from sliding or fading. This step also helps shimmer shades apply more evenly for that luminous, lit-from-within effect.

Choose Clean, Long-Wearing Products

Holiday gatherings often stretch into joyful, memorable nights, so you need eye makeup that lasts as long as the celebration. Thrive Causemetics makes high-performance products that stay put, without drying your skin or irritating sensitive eyes.

Why they work:

• Our Brilliant Eye Brightener™ shades are infused with macadamia and meadowfoam seed oil to nourish while they brighten.
  

• Infinity Waterproof™ Eyeliner glides on smoothly and resists transfer — perfect for teary holiday moments.
  

• Liquid Lash™ Extensions Tubing Mascara uses breakthrough tubing technology to wrap each lash for all-day wear without flakes. News flash! It’s the 2025 Readers’ Choice Award Winner for favorite mascara by NewBeauty!
  

• Our Instant Makeup Fix™ Set & Refresh Makeup Spray acts like a breathable seal, setting your eye look and reviving your makeup throughout the day with a hydrating mist.

Want to explore ready-to-gift essentials or treat yourself or your nearest and dearest? Check out our holiday makeup sets for curated color pairings and festive favorites.

Celebrate the Season with Holiday Eyeshadow Looks That Glow

This season is full of reasons to celebrate, and your makeup can be one of them. Maybe you’re getting ready in five minutes between plans, or perhaps you’re taking your time and savoring the ritual. Either way, your eyes can tell a story: soft shimmer for quiet nights in, something striking for holiday magic, or a hint of glow just because it makes you happy.

Complete your look this holiday season with Thrive Causemetics. High-performing formulas, wearable shades, and joyful finishes that brighten every moment. Find your favorite holiday glow with our best-selling eyeshadow stick today!