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Everyone has their holiday traditions, but consider adding some Thanksgiving makeup to your rituals this year. From keeping it casual at Friendsgiving to feasting with the entire fam, Thanksgiving is a great excuse to go all out with color and shimmer.
Because everyone’s idea of the November holiday looks a little different, there’s a ton of room to play when it comes to Thanksgiving makeup ideas. A good place to start? Much like the best Thanksgiving outfits, you can’t go wrong with warm tones that mirror the falling leaves—or are inspired by holiday staples like cranberry sauce, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.
Our favorite looks play on makeup trends like dark feminine glam and bold lips, but we’ve got options for every style and event. Scroll on for the coolest Thanksgiving makeup ideas to try this year and get ready to screenshot. (Be sure to check out the best Thanksgiving nail designs to try as well.)
1. Dark feminineIf Selena Gomez says dark feminine energy-inspired makeup is for the red-carpet, then it’s more than okay for Thanksgiving with the in-laws. Get the look with Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner and Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick in Transform.
2. Bold redYou can never go wrong with a bold red lip; just make sure your formula is Thanksgiving dinner-proof. Some of Glamour’s favorites for the job include Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in the MVP and Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Makeup in Exhilarator.
3. Smoky eyesSmoky eye is back, baby! Plus, you won’t mess it up while you’re eating. DIY with Too Faced’s Born This Way Eyeshadow Palette.
4. No mascaraOne of fall’s biggest beauty trends? No mascara and minimal makeup paired with a bold lip. Recreate the look above with Violette_Fr’s Petal Bouche in Amour Fou.
5. Pumpkin spicePumpkin spice makeup is trending for fall, because of course it is. Basically the newest iteration of ’90s-inspired earth-toned beauty and monochromatic bronzed glam, the look is makeup beginner-friendly and never lets us down. DIY with Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette for eyes and Natasha Denona Tan Bronze & Glow Palette for the rest of the face.
6. Feeling blueFor glam that pops without feeling too over-the-top—the perfect combo when a Friendsgiving dinner is on the agenda—consider adding some blue into your eye makeup look. To recreate Salma Hayek’s look in one easy step, create a bold cat-eye using blue liquid eyeliner—we’re fans of Maybelline Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner for the job.
7. Glossy neutralsLana Del Rey is known and beloved for her glossy neutral glam, which you can super easily DIY with the exact products she uses. First, over-line your lips with Ortega Soft Contour Lip Liner in Cinnamon Girl to define the edges, then apply Ortega Beauty’s neutral-cool Agave Glow Color Stick to the rest of the lip and define the edge after lipstick application. Top it off with super-shiny Liquid Icon Hyper Gloss, and you’re ready to go (back for seconds).
8. Statement blushWhen in doubt, add more blush. Those are the rules! For the boldest blush imaginable, try Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo.
9. Kitten linerA chic, subtle kitten liner can take even the most simple of makeup styles to the next level. Create your own take on the look with Glamour-approved (and Beauty Award Winning) Labomme Angle Baby Liquid Liner.
10. Natural glowFor a more laid-back celebration, you can’t go wrong with the basics. A touch of neutral shadow, a flush of blush, and some fluffy lashes are all you need to look selfie-ready. Finish it off with a balmy nude lipstick like Violette FR’s Bisou Balm for easy reapplication post-turkey.
11. Orange crushA bold eye not only looks amazing but also means less maintenance than a bright lip when you’ll be in the presence of pie. A wash of burnt orange shadow like Urban Decay’s Wild One is the perfect fall vibe.
12. Graphic linerGraphic liner in an autumnal shade like chocolate or bronze elevates even your coziest outfit. Start by using a pencil liner to trace your shape, and go over with a liquid liner to amp up the drama. It may look tricky, but if you work slowly and keep plenty of cotton swabs and micellar water on hand, you should get it down.
13. Dusty rose flushUsing the same shade across eyes, lips, and cheeks is the easiest way to tie a look together—plus a pretty pink wakes up your whole face. If you want to take it a step further, a sharp wing and some glossy lips add even more intensity.
14. Fall glamYou can never go wrong with a crisp cat eye, and Thanksgiving is no exception. A little bronze shadow and a pumpkin-inspired lipstick really capitalize on the fall feelings.
15. Bronze smokeShimmering bronze shadow is the epitome of soft glam that looks at home just about anywhere. Try the Patrick Ta Major Dimension eye shadow palette for a similar look.
16. Rosy kissA lip-forward look is a little risky for dinner makeup, but the results are totally worth it. For a similar vibe as above, apply a few layers of a rosy stain like the Dior Addict Lip Tattoo, blotting with a tissue in between for maximum staying power. A mini wing and plenty of mascara finish things off.
17. Classic cat eyeSometimes all you need is a sharp winged liner and you’re good to go. (Check out some of our favorite waterproof eyeliners for a wing that won’t budge all day long.)
18. Pop of colorBrighten up your go-to beige base with a bright pop of color in your inner corners. Yellow or orange (try Too Faced’s Light My Fire palette) is an unexpected choice that looks so cool.
19. Cherry lipsFor a formal occasion (or if you’re just in the mood to stunt), there’s nothing like a classic red lip. Just opt for a liquid formula to make sure it stays put through every course.
20. Jewel tonesA smudge of royal purple adds a cool pop to your standard bronze smoke. Try Makeup by Mario’s Master Metallics palette for everything you need in one palette.
21. Subtle shimmerA wash of terra-cotta shimmer is so pretty and wearable—it’s one of our favorite easy makeup looks. Just use your finger to pat on a warm brown shade like Glossier Monochromes in Mesa and slick on some mascara.
22. Pink stainPopsicle lips are unexpectedly pretty in the chilly weather, and a flushed stain is such a pretty way to wear a bold shade like hot pink (and to ensure it stays put). Try Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tints, which come in a range of shades and do. not. move.
23. Rosy flushAmp up that whole “just got in from the cold” thing with a flush of cool pink blush across your cheeks and nose. Fluffy lashes and a tinted lip balm complete the look.
24. Chocolate tonesShades of brown are perfect for fall, and they work beautifully across your eyes, lips, and cheeks. We love the dark lip gloss for some added dimension.
25. ’90s glamIf you’re in the mood for some drama, a ’90s-supermodel beat is the answer. Go for matte shades of brown, nude lipstick, and some major lashes to unleash your inner Cindy.
26. Berry lipsA deep berry shade is so gorgeous and totally on theme. The secret to wearing a lipstick this dark is to make sure to exfoliate your lips beforehand to get the smoothest application.
27. Pumpkin spiceWarm chocolate eyes and a ginger spice lip are a match made in heaven.
28. Soft linerOpt for a pencil liner over a liquid for a softer approach to a classic cat eye. After sketching on your wing, use a smudger brush to blur it our for a pretty, diffuse effect. Paired with soft pink eyes, cheeks, and lips, it looks so dreamy.
29. MonotoneFor a high-impact look with truly zero effort, match your eye shadow and lipstick to your outfit. It may sound like a lot, but if you use just a smudge of color, it can be surprisingly effortless.
30. Hot pink lipsA hot pink lipstick may be the last place your brain goes when you hear “Thanksgiving,” but that’s exactly what makes it so cool. Though it shines on its own, make it pop even more with some baby wings and long lashes.
31. Sage greenIf you’re not into orange, sage green is another pretty option for a wash of color. It’s gorgeous on everyone, but will really make green or brown eyes pop—especially when paired with a great mascara.
32. Glossy redRed might be most associated with a matte finish, but there’s no better time than the holidays to elevate your usual shade. Use an ultrashiny formula like Revlon’s Vinyl Lip Polish to get that extra sheen.
33. Euphoria eyesSpeaking of elevating, take your glam one step further and channel your inner Euphoria character—or Dua Lipa—with bold, bedazzled eyes. DIY with Half Magic’s Face Gems.
34. Plum poutWe love a highly pigmented plum for the holiday season. Balance out the dark hue with minimal eye makeup—a few coats of mascara will do the trick.
35. Bold wingsIf you love over-the-top glam but don’t want to mess up your lipstick while eating, consider a bold cat-eye wing. It gives major drama regardless of whether or not you’re wearing other makeup.
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