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For me, half the fun of a holiday party is getting ready.
Maybe it’s because I have a toddler now and don’t get many excuses to go full glam these days, but I love putting on a sparkly eye and digging out my boldest lipstick from the depths of my makeup drawer. Even so, the realities of holiday festivities tend to hit fast. Between cocktails, hugs, dancing, and overheated rooms, makeup can go from flawless to “what happened?” in minutes. And nothing kills the vibe faster than foundation sliding off your face or lipstick migrating everywhere (my personal pet peeve).
To help us all out, I’ve rounded up six makeup staples that don’t just look good when you leave the house, but actually last. These products have serious staying power, and will keep your glam intact from the first cheers to the final Irish goodbye.
The Longwear Foundation That Doesn’t Budge
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation ($52)
Your foundation is the canvas for everything else, so if it starts melting, flaking, or separating halfway through the night, there’s only so much that setting spray can do. Thankfully, Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is the gold standard for long wear. It promises 24 hours of flawless, natural-looking matte coverage, and it delivers.
The oil-free formula controls shine, stands up to sweat, heat, humidity, crowded kitchens, and enthusiastic dance floors, and somehow still feels lightweight. Buildable from medium to full coverage, it smooths uneven skin tone, blurs imperfections, and never looks cakey or mask-like.
The Concealer That Brightens and Stays Put
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($16 – $34)
In my 20s, when acne flare-ups always seemed to hit before events, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer was my go-to. It never let me down.
This best-selling concealer brightens, corrects, and perfects all day with medium-to-high, buildable coverage and a radiant, skin-like finish. Its Multi-Active Botanical Blend helps firm skin, reduce redness, and lock in hydration for 24 hours. Even during long nights of dancing and holiday cheer, it won’t crease, slide, or fade.
The Shadow Stick You Can’t Mess Up
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color ($17 – $33)
Another longtime favorite of mine is Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick. It’s so easy and reliable—you can keep things subtle with a quick swipe-and-smudge, or you can layer it up for a full glam moment. Either way, it stays exactly where you put it.
Because it’s a creamy eyeshadow that glides on easily, it gives you a generous window to smudge, blend, or build your look before it sets. Once it does, it lasts for up to 24 hours with rich, buildable pigment in both creamy and matte finishes. It also plays really well with other shadows! You can layer it under powder formulas, but I like to glide it on top to elevate whatever look I’ve already got going on.
The Black Liner That Survives Sweat, Tears, and Everything Else
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($24)
Between cold wind, surprise flurries, sweaty dance floors, and sentimental toasts (hi, tears), you need an eyeliner that won’t betray you. Stila’s iconic Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner lives up to its name!
Once it’s on, it stays put until you’re ready to take it off. The thin, marker-like tip is one of my favorite parts because it makes application super easy. Even if you’re not an eyeliner pro, it gives you total control, whether you’re going for a clean, delicate flick or a bold wing.
The Lip Color That Outlasts Cocktails
Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick ($27)
A holiday party isn’t complete without a bold lip that can survive all the toasts and yummy snacks, and that’s what Smashbox’s Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick delivers. This is one of my go-to lip products because it’s comfortable and lightweight, while giving you rich, full-on color that lasts.
The formula is built to stay put for up to eight hours thanks to Advanced Polymer Technology. That means no smudging, feathering, or fading, even after sipping champagne or eating a few holiday cookies. Unlike some matte formulas, it also won’t dry your lips out—thanks to a primer oil complex that keeps them hydrated and smooth.
The Setting Spray That Locks Everything In
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray ($23 – $58)
All the effort you put into flawless foundation, winged liner, and the perfect lip deserves a finale that keeps it intact. Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is the cherry on top of your holiday glam: a lightweight mist that locks your look in place for up to 16 hours without melting, fading, or settling into fine lines.
As well as holding makeup in place, this multitasking spray also primes your skin, smooths the surface for application, and gives you a poreless, airbrushed finish. Its film-forming polymers create a strong yet flexible barrier that keeps everything exactly where it should be, so your holiday look stays the way you want it.
With these six makeup staples in your arsenal, you can enjoy every holiday moment without worrying about smudges, fading, or touch-ups. Because when your glam lasts as long as the party, all that’s left to do is celebrate in style!
