From classic elegance to flamboyant brilliance, elevate your beauty game this festive season with these must-have make-up picks and pro tips for a dazzling look.

By SAKSHI NAHAR DHARIWAL

 

Step 1: Prep the Canvas

Create a flawless base by prepping your skin with layers of primer, concealer, and face powder (in that order) to ensure your
make-up lasts.

PHOTO FINISH REVITALIZE 8-IN-1 PRIMER ESSENCE BY SMASHBOX

This multitasking spray features silkscreen complex, along with black rose and peony extracts—elements that hydrate, prime, plump, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin for a lovely dewy yet matte finish. Let the product sit after application for five minutes before moving on to the next step.
₹1,500; tirabeauty.com

BOI-ING CAKELESS CONCEALER BY BENEFIT COSMETICS

Banish imperfections, from dark circles to blemishes, effortlessly with this weightless, crease-free formula. Boasting a cushion tip for smooth application, this soft, full-coverage liquid corrector is available in a range of shades to complement a variety of complexions.
₹2,500; tirabeauty.com

DOUBLE WEAR STAY-IN-PLACE MAKEUP SPF 10 BY ESTÉE LAUDER

Confidence in every drop! This liquid foundation off ers 24-hour matte finish for all those nights youʼre going to spend dancing at festivals. Lightweight, waterproof, and available in over 55 shades, it unifies skin tone and covers spots, making it the perfect addition to your
make-up kit.
₹4,150; esteelauder.in

BLENDED FACE POWDER BY CLINIQUE

Get ready to glow with this super-fine, loose-setting powder that delivers an immaculately smooth effect and a faultless base for applying the rest of your make-up. Pro tip: Follow their recommended ʻpowder rubdownʼ technique to look your best at a shimmering soirée under the stars!
₹3,900; ssbeauty.in

Tips and tricks:

Give your concealer 15 seconds to set before you begin blending other elements. Topping off your routine by applying press powder is an unmissable step to ensure the base stays in place.

 

Step 2: Add a Twinkle

With the basics in place, itʼs now time to dive into the seasonʼs hottest eye make-up trends. Weʼve decoded two of the best for you.

Look 1: The Traditional Touch

I NEED A NUDE PALETTE BY NATASHA DENONA

This productʼs creamy matte and metallic nude tones create a seamless, universally flattering look. Offering an oh-so-soft texture, these eye shadows blend effortlessly on the lids to give you a timeless allure. A must-have for Diwali parties!
₹5,925; lookfantastic.co.in

THE CLASSIC EYELINER BY CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Enjoy festive elegance with this stunning eyeliner—your key to glitzy sophistication. From a natural, daytime gaze to a sultry smokey eye, itʼs a versatile go-to for weddings, dinner parties, and more. Enriched with Allantoin, itʼs perfect for delicate skin around the eyes. Available in shades of brown and black.
₹2,350; nykaa.com

GRANDIÔSE MASCARA – NOIR EXTREME BY LANCÔME

Achieve a dramatic wide-angle fan effect using this brandʼs breakthrough application technique. Their exclusive Swan-NeckTM wand and precision brush delivers corner-to-corner perfection for a party whose theme is unending maximalism!
₹2,900; sephora.nnnow.com

Tips and tricks: 

For smokey eyes, use a lighter eye shadow for the upper and lower lids and a darker shade on the edges. Finalise your classic, Indian look by complementing your make-up with a hint of red on the lips.

 

Look 2: For Overt Opulence

WILD OBSESSIONS EYESHADOW PALETTE BY HUDA BEAUTY

This setʼs fierce colours offer everything from a soft pop to a brilliant smokey eye effect, perfect for the day and night. With a luxe fi nish, creamy mattes, and metallic magic, this oneʼs for keeps. Its unique, multi-reflective, 3D embossed python print makes for grand festive eye candy!
₹2,185; hudabeauty.com

LONG WEAR GEL EYELINER – BLACK INK BY BOBBI BROWN

This award-winning gel-based product combines the precision of liquid liner with 12-hour sweat- and humidity-resistant wear. Highly pigmented for dramatic looks, it wonʼt smudge and will last throughout the party!
₹1,900; bobbibrown.in

FLUFFY AND FULLER LOOKING BROW KIT – DARK BROWN BY ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

The perfect tools for sculpted eyebrows. This set comprises an easy-to-blend Brow Powder Duo, a Dual-ended Brush 7B for seamless application, and the Mini Brow Freeze® styling wax for a feathered finish. Three convenient elements that will get you set for a night of unending dancing.
₹2,700; anastasiabeverlyhills.com

Tips and tricks:

Dare to be bold with this theatrical eye make-up. For that extra oomph, apply a hint of shimmer powder at the centre of your eyelids. Make sure to balance out the look with a nude lipstick.

 

Step 3: Splash some Colour

All set for the final touch, now all you need are blush, highlighter, and lipsticks thatʼll steal the spotlight.

SILK GLOW DUO ROSE GLOW BY ICONIC LONDON

This radiant combination creates a fresh, lit-from-within glow on your cheeks. The palette, enriched with pearlescent pigments, offers a gorgeous blend for a soft-focus finish and goes with universal make-up looks. Blend both shades for a high-shine prismatic eff ect at a glamorous gala.
₹2,790; lookfantastic.co.in

ROUGE DIOR FOREVER LIPSTICK – 100 FOREVER NUDE LOOK
BY DIOR

Seal your worries with this 16-hour, transfer-proof lippy. Infused with floral care, it offers an intense matte finish thatʼs comfortable, natural, and fabric-resistant. Complement your bold outfit, whether traditional or Western, with this versatile pick. Elegance at its best!
₹4,000; nykaa.com

LOCKED KISS INK – EXTRA CHILI BY MAC COSMETICS

Boasting the Pigment Lock Technology for a rich matte colour plus nourishing ingredients like passion fruit oil and shea butter, this waterproof liquid lipstick offers 24-hour transfer-resistant comfort. The precision applicator is ideal for natural, classy, and
traditional looks.
₹3,050; sephora.nnnow.com

Tips and tricks:

Apply blush before a highlighter using an angled brush, starting from your cheekbone and blending up to the forehead for a sculpted effect. For gorgeous lips, begin with a lip balm, followed by the first layer of your chosen colour; dab with a tissue to set, and then add a second coat. Opt for a nude shade of lipstick with bold eye make-up, while darker shades work well with minimalist looks!

 

Step 4: Seal the Deal

Walk out as the show-stopper and lock your look in place with this hard-working make-up fixer.

MAKEUP INSURANCE LONGWEAR SETTING SPRAY BY TOO FACED

Infused with green tea and algae extract, this make-up fi xer hydrates and shields against blue light. Spray it on to ensure your cosmetics stay put for 18 hours, smudge-free at that! It’s alcohol- and silicone-free, too—what’s not to love?
₹2,600; tirabeauty.com

Tips and tricks:

Spray it all over your face and neck; be careful to avoid the eye area. Give it five minutes to set before stepping out into the limelight.

Related: The Ultimate Gifting Guide for Your Loved Ones This Festive Season