This holiday makeup and beauty guide is part of our Shop The Street series. Our editors curate collections of new and noteworthy products available in Canada (and let you know why you should add to cart). Know, though, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Tap for more info.
Follow FLEETSTREET on Instagram and TikTok.
Whether you’re a makeup pro or go for the barely there look, we all like a bit of something special for holiday parties and get-togethers. And at the big holiday media previews, I created a stash of products that sparkle, shine and glow your best self. Plus I added a few tried-tested-and-true from my own vanity as well. HNY, babes!
Last-minute stocking stuffers for everyone on your list.
Dior Forever Couture Luminizer Limited Edition Longwear Highlighter, $75 at dior.com
Event highlights
If eyes are jewels, then the skin is definitely pearls. And this highlighter gives the high cheeks, the tip of the nose and wherever you want to to radiate and glow. It comes in two shades: Or (golden) and Corail (coral). Whether you’re going full glam or want to look like you but better, dust this for an instant healthy shine.
How do skin and makeup balms work.
Nexxus Curl Define Gel Cream, $16 at amazon.ca
Curls’ night out
Flirty curls deserve to shine on the big night, and this curl cream defines each tendril’s shape, volume and bounce, whether you’re putting your hair up, half-up or down to a head flick à la Glinda. We love the weightless formula. Plus, the 236-millilitre bottle will last us forever. (Like, we need an excuse to treat every other Saturday like it’s Dec. 31!)
Cute gift sets that make the best holiday presents.
Kiss Falscara Starter Kit, $25 at faslcara.com
Heart and eyes a flutter
Full disclosure: I’m picky about false lashes because of how fake they can look. I love a 1960’s intentional, over-the-top way. It makes me twitch when they look wonky (going in every direction like drunk party girls on a dancefloor), have a different shape from the naturals (standing separately in a rigid line like uptight kids at that same club) or just look like they don’t fit (no analogy; just too big, too long or too short). These, though, I can get behind. As a Virgo, I love how precise I can be with these small wisps, and the different lengths allow me to be picky AF. And this set comes with everything: 26 lashes, bond, seal and, yes, applicator tweezers.
The best Advent calendars for adults.
Tory Burch Sublime Eau De Parfum Spray, $188 at shoppersdrugmart.ca
Scent of a woman
My editor at Glow taught me about “scent memories” and wearing a particular scent for a special occasion. That way, when she (or that special person) smelled it again, the scent memory would activate feelings of that night. And this beautifully feminine eau de parfum is sexy and cool with floral and leather notes, including rose, vetiver and mandarin. Gorgeous.
Editor-approved gifts for every person on your list.
R.E.M. Beauty x Wicked Ozdust Eyeshadow, $72 at shoppersdrugmart.ca
All that glitters is beyond gold
NYE makeup isn’t just for silver and gold (although those are fabulous eyeshadows), as this palette shows, other shadow shades can sparkle, too. In this kit, the glitter shades are named Perfectly Pink (a dusty rose), Darlingest (hot pink), Normal is Overrated (Champagne), Betweitching (bronze), Shoes Phosphorescenti (iridescent green), The Shiz (chrome), Save Me This Dance? (multi glitter disco ball) and Swankfied (baby blue). It includes matte shadows too, from beige to espresso. For the metallic shadows, apply with a damp brush to create a foiled look. Not sure how to wear these? The palette comes with instructions. Also, love that these shadows are long wearing, so you can wear them from dinner to bells to dawn.
How to be a good dinner host and have a party guests will talk about later – in a good way.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint Lip + Cheek Blush Stain in Fresh, $33 at sephora.ca
Cheeky but cute
This is the cutest shade of cheek and lip stain. It’s a blend of red and blue, like putting your favourite red lipstick on after eating a handful of mulberries. It seems universally flattering and is a blush you can build colour with. Also, it’s not drying or cakey – thanks to the collagen and seawater ingredients. While the package claims to cool, that wasn’t super noticeable to me. But it looks cool!
Cocktail recipes to try this holiday season.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red, $17 at shoppersdrugmart.ca
The ball drop in the Big Apple
NYC is iconic NYE, and so is this red polish. It’s the perfect red, with a bit of yellow/orange tones for brightness and some blue for sophistication. But when used with a top coat, this mani is all shine. Plus, you won’t need to change your nails for the office after New Year’s Day, since this polish colour goes from day to night and back to day at the office. Now, only to make typing 2-0-2-5 easier than automatically doing 2-0-2-4.
What to make for Friendmas or New Year’s Eve dinner.
Manucurist Green Nail Polish in Mermaid, $20 at detoxmarket.ca
Siren alert
Whomever the copywriter is for this, give them a raise: “Mermaid is a silver with a thousand and one reflections that dance on the water, an ornament of luminous scales that shimmer.” This might just be worth wearing to the office after all. We had a fab New Year’s – deal with it. Ha!
What a snack! Holiday movie night will never taste the same.
About-face Vinyl Effect, $22 at shoppersdrugmart.ca
Subtly not-so subtle
You may not be surprised to learn that singer Halsey is behind this ingenious eye product. It’s not a shadow. It’s not a primer. It’s eye gloss. It has that runway feel, but also naturally pretty. If you want that you-have-to-be-up-close-to-see-my-beauty look, then a swipe of this may be all the colour your peepers need.
How to host a tequila tasting party.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Firework Mascara in Blackest Black, $20 at shoppersdrugmart.ca
Baby, you’re a firework
Whether your plans are for the couch or the dance floor, or even the couch or floor at a houseparty, a holiday makeup look must always finishes off with jet black mascara. The thick, pointy-bristled brush is a dream to use, as it separates lashes precisely for a fuller lash look. (That’s where the name “firework” comes into play.) And the colour makes eyes pop, even if you don’t wear much on the eyes.
Why wait for Sober October or #dryjanuary? Easy ways to give temperance drinking a try.
Madeup Beauty Mink Brown Lipstick in Mink Brown, $20 at shoppersdrugmart.ca
Save your drama for your mouth
This is the colour of the year, after all – at least according to Pantone, with its 2025 pick. But when choosing a rich colour, you don’t have to forgo hydration. This hydrating formula gives intense colour with just one application, thanks to the oil-based ingredients, including avocado, which is said to minimize lines.
How often should you get a facial? How many days before an event gets you that glow?
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Perlina, $34 at sephora.ca
Out of the shadows
Every year Stila launches a new glittery eyeshadow, and every year I stock up. I use it as a winged eyeliner, and sometimes I will even line around it with black liner (like a cartoon drawing, but chicer) for even more oomph. I love this chrome-y opalescent white with subtle hints of blue, pink and purple. So damn pretty.
Is serum active? The ingredients that make a good serum work.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel, $35 at sephora.ca
Take the high-brow
This innovative wax-gel formula and single brush with three applicators (short- and long-bristled sides and a flat side) make at-home laminate look brows very achievable. And the look is a subtle gloss that’s not sticky, greasy or flakey. That should raise your eyebrow.
How to perfect the sleeked-back bun.
Fazit Faux Freckle Makeup Patch Set, $23 at urbanoutfitters.ca
Spotted!
End the year in an Eras era with metallic freckles. They come in gold, silver, rose gold, blue, orange, purple, red and strawberry decals. A single patch leaves spots across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, although there’s nothing stopping you from cutting up the patches and getting creative. Dance the night away, as they’re water- and sweat-proof. They come off with makeup remover.