I’ve said this before, but I’ve gotten a tad lazy when it comes to my makeup routine. Lately, I favor any look that takes me less than 10 minutes or one that’s easy to remove at the end of the night. That being said, you can imagine that the holiday party season is challenging for a minimalist like me—a season that typically favors things like a bold red lip and other extra glamorous looks. That said, I did recently realize that glamorous looks don’t always have to require long hours spent in the makeup chair—and it’s all thanks to Scottish makeup artist and Vieve founder Jamie Genevieve.
I’ve followed Genevieve for years and was beyond excited to get my hands on her eponymous makeup brand. While it provides so many perfect everyday staples, it also has finds with megawatt-level brilliance suited to any lovers of a full beat. Honestly, I was immediately blown away by a few of the brand’s key products (hello to the Muse Eyeshadow Palette), but struggled to come up with a few easy looks I could wear again and again to any holiday festivities the next few weeks.
Luckily, Genevieve was kind enough to offer a hand. I asked her to share a few of her favorite holiday season makeup looks she loves if you’re short on time (or just lazy like me). For all her faves, keep scrolling.
Lip-to-Cheek Monochrome Glow
Genevieve loves a glowy monochrome look for holiday gatherings because it’s perfect for when you need to pull it together quickly and still look polished. “I love using a touch of the lipstick I’m wearing on my cheeks as a blush,” she says. “It’s such an easy way to tie the look together, and the creamy texture of the lipstick gives a natural, fresh finish on the skin. Apply a little with your fingertips or use the base of your thumb to tap it gently onto your cheeks. This is great for casual gatherings [like] a festive brunch.”
VIEVE
Modern Matte Lipstick
“The key to this look is using your chosen lipstick on your cheeks and lips. I recommend the Modern Matte Lipstick in [the shade] Pinch (perfect mix between pink and peach) or Promise (dusky rose with a mauve undertone).” — Jamie Genevieve
Prada Beauty
Moisturizing Lip Balm in Maple
A moisturizing lip balm like Prada’s tinted formula is also perfect for this. It will provide a natural flush to the cheeks while giving your lips a little extra color.
VIEVE
Sunset Blush Balm in STRAWB
I also think you could do this in reverse. Instead of using a lipstick as blush, you could opt for a blush as a lip tint! The Sunset Blush Balm from Vieve has quickly become my favorite. The shades are so gorgeous, creamy, and buildable. I’ve been obsessed with the shade Cherub, but this reddish shade called Strawb seems like a nice touch for the holiday season.
Soft Smoky Liner
Genevieve thinks a soft, smoky liner is the perfect way to add an effortless, glamorous touch to an eye look without spending too much time on it. For this, you can use the darkest shades in an eye shadow palette to create a uniform eyeliner look. Genevieve explained it a bit further. “For an effortless eye look, mix and match two of your favorite palettes to create something unique,” she shares. “I’m a big fan of using deeper shades to create monochromatic eyeliner looks. For example, I love using dark eye shadows like LavaRock or Goodnight from the Vieve The Essential Palette to stamp on a soft liner. It’s subtle, easy to clean up with a bit of concealer, and gives a chic, understated vibe. This look is perfect for an office holiday party or dinner with friends.”
VIEVE
The Essential Eyeshadow Palette
This is Genevieve’s pick for a look like this to add a bit of depth. I haven’t tried this palette just yet, but if it’s anything like the Muse Palette (which I’ll gush about in a second), I know it’s going to be amazing. This palette is so ideal for holiday looks because it contains rich golds, a gorgeous clay shade, and a few chocolatey hues for blending.
“The secret to creating this look is to use deeper eye shadows. You could try our new Soul Shadow in Gilt which is the perfect mix of gold and brown tones. We also have an amazing liquid Power Ink Liner that comes in Midnight Black and Dark Brown for enhancing the pigment or making a sharper line.”
VIEVE
The Muse Eyeshadow Palette
I’ve reached for this palette every single time I’ve gone out recently, so that should tell you exactly how much I love it. The shades are so pigmented, buttery, and easy to blend. To say I’m obsessed is an understatement.
Wet N Wild
Always Naked Palette
The holiday season can be tough with all the gift buying, so if you’re on a budget, this drugstore palette works perfectly for a soft, smoky liner look. It has rich transition shades along with a few more glittery hues to create an easy (yet glamorous) look.
Bold Holiday Party Lip
This look is a classic and can be one of the easiest to throw together, depending on what else you pair it with. Genevieve shares, “For a festive evening look, I go for a bold lip, like the Satin Slip Lipstick in Hickie, a stunning brick red. You can apply it lightly for a soft, just-kissed effect or layer it for an intense, voluptuous pout. Paired with glowy skin and minimal eye shadow, this lipstick is the star of the show. The timeless, jewel-like packaging of Satin Slip makes it feel like a treat every time you use it. This look is ideal for a glamorous Christmas party or New Year’s Eve celebration.”
VIEVE
Satin Slip Lipstick in Hickie
I love that this shade of red isn’t your typical fire engine red. It’s a deeper, almost brownish red that feels a bit more muted and perfect for those with medium contrast (if you’re into that).
CHANEL
Rouge Allure L’Extrait High-Intensity Lip Colour
This Chanel shade is an absolute classic and a favorite of Who What Wear Beauty Director Erin Jahns. If you love a bold, classic red, this is the perfect one to rock for the holidays.
Revlon
Super Lustrous Lipstick in 775 Super Red
This is my favorite drugstore lipstick. The color payoff is next-level and it never dries out my lips.
More Vieve Products I’ll Be Wearing This Season
I love this as a base. It adds so much radiance to your look and is perfect for the holidays. To really give your holiday look a solid base, Genevieve recommends using a hydrating serum and then this primer because it creates a tacky surface that grips foundation beautifully.
“I always begin my makeup routine with this. It’s lightweight yet deeply hydrating, which is essential for the colder winter months. I often mix it with my concealer or foundation for a radiant, sheer base. It also works beautifully when layered over a hydrating serum to prep the skin.” — Genevieve
VIEVE
Skin Nova Complexion Balm
I haven’t tried this just yet, but believe me, it’s first on my list. It’s a makeup-skincare hybrid that’s buildable, creamy, and lightweight. Much like Vieve’s other products, I have a feeling it will become a staple for me once I do give it a go.
“I adore this lightweight foundation. It’s more flexible than a regular foundation and mixes in your skincare. You can then just use a touch of concealer to get your desired coverage. Good skin is hydrated skin and hydration is what gives your foundation longevity. A complexion balm does just that! It just gives you lots of options by combining your skincare with coverage. It’s a win-win for me.” — Genevieve
VIEVE
Invisiveil Setting Spray
I’m convinced that a good setting spray can change lives. Genevieve recommends setting this in layers. After applying your base, lightly mist with setting spray, and then add a touch of powder to the center areas to create extra longevity for your look. This technique ensures your makeup looks fresh, and radiant, and stays put all day (or night!).
“This is my go-to for setting makeup. It keeps oily complexions matte but not flat and gives a healthy, skin-like finish. It’s my secret weapon for long-lasting looks, especially during the busy holiday season.” — Genevieve
