20 Holiday Eyeshadow Ideas to Shine All Season Long

sabrina carpenter with shimmer around her eyes — @nikki_makeup / Instagram

With all the parties and special occasions, the holidays are the perfect excuse to play with makeup and jazz up your eyeshadow looks. From sparkling, shimmering lids to metallic, jewel-toned peepers, there are so many ways to make your eyes merry and bright (or smoky, or sultry). Ahead, we gathered some of our favorite eyeshadow looks that are currently getting us in the holiday spirit. Keep scrolling to find your perfect inspo.

01 of 20

Dramatic Metallic

model wears metallic eyeshadow around the eyes in purple and green tones — @danessa_myricks / Instagram

Metallic eyeshadows are all the rage during the holiday season. They shimmer and frost in all the right places, making them the perfect texture and finish to wear to any festive event. With multiple shades to choose from, you can mix tones—like these purple and green hues—for maximum effect.

02 of 20

Bejeweled and Bedazzled

Sabrina Carpenter wears sparkling eyeshadow with gemstones applied — @nikki_makeup / Instagram

Sabrina Carpenter never disappoints in the makeup department, and this bejeweled eyeshadow look is at the top of our list for holiday inspiration. Start with a soft, shimmering shadow and apply stick-on gemstones around the eyes for that extra touch of sparkle.

03 of 20

Make a Statement

model wears sparkly eyeshadow and visible false eyelashes — @makeupvincent / Instagram

Make a dramatic statement with glittering lids and prominent false eyelashes at your next soiree. The holidays are the perfect time to go big or go home with your makeup.

04 of 20

Champagne Fizz

model is wearing sparkly bronze eyeshadow and visible winged liner — @claudiu.burca / Instagram

Sparkling bronze and champagne shadows are the perfect neutrals for the holidays; They go with everything. Finish with false lashes or a few coats of thickening mascara and you're good to go.

05 of 20

Periwinkle Twinkle

model is wearing light periwinkle eyeshadow — @brittsully / Instagram

Opt for unconventional shadow shades this holiday season (like this periwinkle color) to brighten your eyes and skin tone. This powder blue-purple shadow is seasonally appropriate and so easy to apply: Just swipe the color on the lids and build it up until you're satisfied with the level of saturation.

06 of 20

Classic Smoky

model is wearing a smoky eye with visible highlighted eyebrow — @patrickta / Instagram

The classic smoky eyeshadow look never goes out of style and is beautiful to wear during the holiday season for any event you might have. Start with waterproof black eyeliner and apply it on the top and bottom lash line and inner rim. Then blend the shadow on top and up to the crease, finishing with a prominent highlight underneath the eyebrow.

07 of 20

Smudged, Sultry Eyes

model is wearing subtle smoky eye with highlighted skin — @cherishbrookehill / Instagram

If you prefer natural eyeshadow looks, consider a slightly elevated holiday eye that's a little smudged and lived-in. Start by adding definition with black eyeliner, then blend a smoky shadow on top of the liner with a fluffy brush, going up into the crease for definition.

08 of 20

Blushing Beauty

model is wearing a soft shadow look with visible pink blush — @davidrazzano / Instagram

Blending blush high around the cheekbones and into the crease is a shortcut to a stunning look. Start by applying a soft, matte taupe shadow to the lids, then add some definition with tight liner and mascara.

09 of 20

Holographic Detail

model is wearing holographic glitter eyeshadow and pink lipgloss — @davidrazzano / Instagram

This holographic eye makeup is festive and chic, and applying it in one isolated area, like the crease, is a modern way to accentuate the eyes and make a statement. And remember: You can never have too much shimmer when it comes to holiday makeup.

10 of 20

Icicle Frost

model is wearing smoky blue and lilac eyeshadow — @davidrazzano / Instagram

Mixing light lilac and blue tones emulates the iciness of the holiday season and is another way to create a smoky eye look with non-traditional colors. Keep the inner corners light and bring depth into the crease when you DIY this one.

11 of 20

Silver Bells

model is wearing silver glittery eyeshadow in a wing shape in the crease — @davidrazzano / Instagram

Step up your eyeshadow game by applying glittery silver cream eyeshadow into the crease and the bottom lash line for a more abstract look. Place a lighter, holographic shimmering shadow in the center of the lid for contrast.

12 of 20

Pop of Flush

model is wearing a champagne glittery eyeshadow look with pink blush applied around the outer corner — @davidrazzano / Instagram

Mixing tones and textures is always a fun idea for eyeshadow looks. This one highlights a shimmery, champagne color on the lids while blush adds some contrast. Start by applying the shadow all over the lid up to the brow, then blend blush around the eyes and on the high points of the cheekbones.

13 of 20

The Gilded Age

model is wearing visible golden gilded eyeshadow on the lids — @danessa_myricks / Instagram

Gold is a classic color associated with the holidays, and we love this gilded look on the lids that packs a powerful metallic punch. Find a cream or powder gold shadow with a high metallic finish and swipe it on the lids until you reach your desired level of shine.

14 of 20

Cool Tones

model is wearing shimmering metalic eyeshadow in shades purple and blue — @danessa_myricks / Instagram

Cooler, icier shades like blues and purples are ideal for the holiday season—and the frostier the better. Picking a cool-toned shadow palette that offers a variety of shades is best for a look like this. You can mix your favorite tones and play around with color combinations, making it all the more fun.

15 of 20

Sugar Plum Fairy

model is wearing pink and purple glitter eyeshadow — @danessa_myricks / Instagram

Don't forget your soft pinks and purples for the holidays. With a touch of shimmer, this eyeshadow look pays homage to the sugar plum fairy, and we love it. Applying the lighter shade in the center of the lids and bringing dimension in with the deeper color in the crease creates visual contrast.

16 of 20

Modern Holiday

model is wearing metallic green and red eyeshadow — @danessa_myricks / Instagram

While red and green are on full display during the holiday season, you don't have to stick to traditional versions of the hues in your holiday-themed looks. Consider opting for a green with a twinge of teal and a red that looks a tad rosy. The result is a modern interpretation of the classic colors.

17 of 20

Champagne Dreams

model is wearing shimmering cocoa toned eyeshadow with winged eyeliner — @nikki_makeup / Instagram

This champagne shadow look paired with classic winged eyeliner is a staple you can wear on repeat. Adorn your lids with as much shimmer as you like, then top them with a long-wear liquid eyeliner that will stay put through all your festivities.

18 of 20

Ethereal Glow

Hailey Bieber wears shimmering holographic eyeshadow — @nikki_makeup / Instagram

Find your glow this holiday season with holographic lids and dewy skin. This simple makeup hits all the high points without being overly complicated. One shadow all over the lids and up to the brow paired with a simple cheek highlight and glossy lip is all you need to look positively radiant.

19 of 20

Siren Eyes

model wears light green metallic eyeshadow look — @nikki_makeup / Instagram

With wings in the outer corners that lift the eyes and a sheer wash of metallic eyeshadow, siren eyes are ideal for a dramatic makeup moment. Shape your wing, connecting it with the lower lash line so it appears blended, and finish with a set of falsies for maximum impact.

20 of 20

Cut Crease

Cut crease shadow looks are forever classics, and wearing them with defined eyeliner is a great way to accentuate your eyes. Apply a light shadow all over the lid and a deeper shade in the crease, blending slowly to ensure you maintain the contrast. Apply a flesh-toned liner in the bottom waterline to help the eyes appear brighter and more awake.