Makeup artist Yumi Misuqui highlights cool tones and strategic glow as key trends for Christmas and New Year’s Eve beauty looks.
Trends: cool tones with sophisticated glow
As the holiday season approaches, beauty looks start to play a central role in party planning. A period marked by gatherings, outdoor events and high temperatures demands makeup that lasts through long nights while staying fresh. In this context, makeup artist Yumi Misuqui, a partner of Lord Perfumaria, notes a move towards cool tones paired with a more strategic, refined glow.
According to her, matte finishes and cool, pink-toned blushes remain strong. However, in the run-up to New Year’s Eve, the desire for light and shine is still very present. “At the New Year’s celebrations, clients like to add a little extra glow, but I have seen a strong increase in demand for cool shades in blush, highlighter and eyeshadow,” she explains.
The result is a look that feels modern yet still festive. Shine is applied in a more controlled way, focused on specific areas of the face. This keeps the overall effect elegant, even in bolder party makeup.
How to make makeup last through the night
At this time of year, longevity is just as important as color choice. A busy party schedule combined with heat calls for more careful skin preparation. For Yumi, long-lasting makeup starts well before foundation.
“Perfect hydration is the key for makeup to stay intact,” she says. Well-prepped skin absorbs products better, reduces dry patches and helps prevent caking. This creates a smoother base for all other steps.
She also highlights the importance of loose powder, often overlooked. “Many people skip powder for fear of emphasizing texture, but it is essential to set and fix everything, and today there are many formulas that do not cake.” Proper setting helps control shine, maintain structure and reduce creasing in fine lines, especially in warm environments.
Soft smoky eyes and statement lips
Consumer behavior also reflects what is trending for eyes and lips. For the eyes, Yumi points to a lighter version of the classic smoky look. “A soft smoke along the upper and lower lash lines keeps the eyelid cleaner and more modern,” she notes.
On the lips, she observes a split between shine and tradition. Gloss stands out at parties for adding volume and liveliness to the face. Meanwhile, red lipstick remains a Christmas staple, reinforcing its symbolic appeal at this time of year. “Gloss makes the lips more eye-catching, but at Christmas, red always wins,” she says.
Choosing between natural and glamorous styles
For Yumi, holiday makeup choices often reflect each woman’s personal moment. Some feel that the new year calls for lightness. Others see it as the perfect time to embrace visual impact and glamour.
Those who prefer a natural finish tend to opt for sheer, fluid textures and soft luminosity. “Very fluid foundations help create light, natural coverage,” she explains. In this style, the skin can breathe, blush delivers a healthy glow and eye makeup stays discreet.
On the other hand, a more glamorous aesthetic remains popular among those who want to stand out. Yumi notes frequent demand for gradient lip construction, known as the lip combo technique. “A gradient lip combo makes the mouth look powerful, and false eyelashes give the eyes a more seductive effect,” she says.
In this combination, eyes and lips balance intensity and elegance, resulting in a striking party look. The polished finish is ideal for night-time events and more formal celebrations. Makeup becomes a central element of the overall styling.
Post-party care and on-the-go touch-ups
Yumi reminds us that a beauty routine does not end when the party is over. The way makeup is removed has a direct impact on skin health in the following days. “A biphasic makeup remover or cleansing balm helps dissolve and remove everything more easily,” she recommends.
To extend the fresh look throughout the day and into the night, she relies on a key product: the setting mist. “A setting spray at the end of makeup, and reapplied throughout the day, refreshes the skin and keeps the finish looking beautiful for longer,” she adds. The tip helps maintain radiance and comfort during the entire festive season.
