5 Holiday Eyeshadow Looks to Try This Season

Special occasions are the perfect time to play with shimmer, color, and light, especially when it comes to holiday eye makeup. From an icy lilac wash to rich terracotta and copper, the right shades can add a festive touch for dinner parties, work events, New Year’s celebrations, and every occasion in between.

Looking for holiday eyeshadow looks to try this season? We’re sharing five beginner-friendly ideas, including icy lilac and lavender, olive and gold, taupe gray and silver, terracotta and copper, and navy or deep plum smoky eyes. Follow along as we break down how to create each look with easy-to-use Thrive Causemetics® eye makeup.

5 Festive Holiday Eyeshadow Looks for Every 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 Holiday Eyeshadow

Cool, icy tones are made for winter, especially when they catch the light. Lilac and lavender create a soft, romantic eye that works beautifully for winter brunches, holiday concerts, or any occasion that calls for a touch of shimmer.

How to Create an Icy Lilac and Lavender Eyeshadow 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 Holiday Eyeshadow

If you want a holiday look that still feels festive but with a little edge, green and gold eyeshadow 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 Create an Olive and Gold Eyeshadow 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 to create 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 Grey and Silver Holiday Eyeshadow

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 Create a Taupe Grey and Silver Eyeshadow Look

• Glide Callie (Greige Taupe Shimmer) across the lid from the lash line to the 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 eye shape 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 Holiday Eyeshadow

No matter your holiday event, warm, earthy orange tones are always a staple. This terracotta-and-copper eyeshadow 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 Create a Terracotta and Copper Eyeshadow 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, then blend into Gailon to create a seamless color transition.

• 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. Ocean Blue or Deep Plum Smoky Holiday Eyeshadow 

A smoky eye is a holiday classic, but this take uses softer shades. Choose between two variations: a blue-toned take on a navy smoky eye or a rich plum version. 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, either option adds just the right amount of drama.

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

How to Create an Ocean Blue Smoky Eyeshadow Look

• For a ocean-blue-toned take on a classic navy smoky eye, trace Joni (Ocean Blue Shimmer) along the upper lash line and blend upward with 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 Create a Plum Smoky Eyeshadow Look

• 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 Do You Make Holiday Eyeshadow Last All Day?

For eyeshadow that stays on all day, prep your lids with lightweight eye cream and eyeshadow primer, choose long-wearing eye makeup, and finish with a setting spray. These steps help prevent fading and creasing so your holiday look stays fresh from the first toast to the last goodnight.

How to Prep Your Eyelids for Holiday Eyeshadow

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. Eyeshadow primer is especially useful for holiday eye makeup because it also helps shimmer shades apply more evenly for that luminous, lit-from-within effect.

Choose Long-Wearing Eye Makeup Products

Holiday gatherings often stretch into joyful, memorable nights, so choose eye makeup made to last. Long-wearing eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascaras help maintain color and definition throughout the celebration, while setting spray helps lock your finished look in place.

Why These Makeup Products Work for Long Wear

• 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, making it perfect for teary holiday moments or more defined eyeliner looks. 

• 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!

• 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.

Holiday Eyeshadow Ideas for Every Occasion

From icy lilac and shimmery olive to taupe silver, warm copper, and smoky blue or plum, these winter eyeshadow looks offer plenty of eyeshadow inspiration for every celebration on your calendar. Choose a color combination that fits the occasion or find the best shades for your eye color to help narrow down your favorites.

No matter which look you choose, easy-to-use eye makeup makes it simple to experiment with color, shimmer, and smoky finishes. Keep your favorite shades on hand to recreate these holiday makeup looks throughout the season.

Shop Eye Makeup for Your Holiday Look

Ready to recreate your favorite? Shop our eyeshadow collection for shades ranging from soft shimmer to rich, smoky color, or find your new favorites with our Focus Eyeshadow™ Palette. Add the finishing touches with eyeliner and mascara to complete your holiday eye makeup.

Holiday Eyeshadow FAQs

What are some easy holiday eyeshadow looks? 

Easy Christmas eyeshadow looks can be as simple as sweeping one shimmer shade across the lid or pairing two complementary colors for added depth. Icy lilac, olive and gold, taupe and silver, terracotta and copper, and smoky blue or plum are all beginner-friendly options you can customize for the occasion.

How do you make holiday eyeshadow last all day? 

Prep your eyelids with lightweight eye cream, then apply eyeshadow primer, then apply long-wearing eye makeup, and finish with setting spray. Primer creates a smooth base and helps prevent color from fading or creasing, while long-wearing formulas and setting spray help your finished eye makeup stay in place through hours of celebrating.

What eyeshadow colors work for a winter holiday look?

Cool lilac, lavender, silver, taupe, olive, gold, terracotta, copper, deep plum, and smoky blue all work beautifully for winter celebrations. Shimmer shades add festive radiance, while matte and deeper jewel tones create definition and depth. You can also pair finishes, such as matte terracotta with copper shimmer or smoky green with warm gold.

Should you use eyeshadow primer for holiday eye makeup? 

Yes. Eyeshadow primer is recommended for holiday eye makeup, especially when you want color and shimmer to last through a long event. Apply a thin layer after your eye cream has fully absorbed to create a smooth base, help prevent fading and creasing, and give shimmer shades a more even surface.

What holiday eyeshadow works for an evening event?

Smoky jewel tones, warm metallics, and deeper neutrals are great choices for evening events. Try plum, smoky blue, copper, gold, or taupe and silver for added depth and dimension. For an easy finishing touch, the Signature Defined Eye™ pairs coordinated eye essentials to help define lashes and eyes.