Festive makeup is a good excuse to step out of your everyday beauty routine. Think swapping your usual nude lipstick for a deeper berry, giving metallic eyeshadow another chance or finally getting that perfectly blended bronze smoky eye right. But pulling a look together is as much about knowing what to leave out as what to add. This season, the focus is on fresh, skin-like bases, softly sculpted cheeks, diffused colour and eyes that do just enough. And if you're a bride-to-be, these looks offer plenty of inspiration for your wedding celebrations, too. We spoke to Leiya Phinao Ningshen, National Artist at MAC Cosmetics India, about the makeup trends worth trying, the shades to experiment with and how to make your festive and bridal glam last.
Manifest: What makeup trends are set to define the festive season?
Leiya Phinao Ningshen: This festive season, I see a beautiful balance between luminous, healthy-looking skin and more expressive eyes and sculpted lips. The focus is on enhancing your natural features rather than masking them. Skin-like bases, softly sculpted cheeks, diffused blush, smudged liners and shimmery, metallic accents on the eyes will be key.
M: How can classic festive colours like gold, bronze and red be given a modern twist?
LPN: The secret is in the undertones, textures and placement. Bronze and gold can be used to softly sculpt the eyes and add warmth to the cheeks, creating a monochromatic look. Red lips can feel modern when paired with fresh skin, soft eyes and blush. Experimenting with different finishes, such as a blurred red lip or a stained lip, is another way to give this timeless festive classic a modern twist.
M: What is the secret to a flawless base that doesn't look cakey?
LPN: A flawless base begins with understanding the skin, not with applying more foundation. Skin preparation is essential, but it should be appropriate for your skin type and the products you intend to use. Allow skincare to settle before applying makeup, and use foundation in thin, controlled layers. I always believe in applying coverage only where it is needed and letting the skin show through wherever possible. Too many layers of primer, foundation, concealer and powder can make makeup look heavy. The goal is not to hide the skin completely, but to create a refined, even-looking complexion that still looks like skin.
M: How can you achieve radiant skin without looking overly shiny or wearing heavy coverage?
LPN: Start with well-hydrated skin, followed by a velvety foundation that provides light coverage and a natural sheen. Apply powder only to areas where you tend to develop excess shine, such as the T-zone or around the nose. Cream and liquid highlighters can create a beautiful, natural-looking glow when applied sparingly to the high points of the face. I also love the effect of a soft, luminous cream blush because it brings life back into the complexion. The key is to balance luminosity with controlled shine, allowing the skin to look fresh and healthy without appearing greasy.
M: Which unexpected eyeshadow and lipstick shades work particularly well on Indian skin tones?
LPN: Indian skin tones are wonderfully diverse, so there is no single colour that works for everyone. However, shades like plum, burgundy, copper, burnt orange and terracotta can look particularly beautiful on the eyes. For lips, deep berry, burnt coral, cinnamon rose, brick red and mauve brown offer beautiful alternatives to conventional festive shades. The key is to understand the skin's undertone and choose shades that complement the individual. I always encourage experimenting with colour rather than following rigid rules about what works on Indian skin tones.
M: How can you wear shimmer and metallic eyeshadow without making the look feel overdone?
LPN: Placement of textures and balancing the overall makeup make all the difference. Choose one focal point, such as a metallic wash across the eyelid, shimmer pressed into the inner corners, or a touch of sparkle at the centre of the lid. Pair it with softly blended matte shades to create depth and definition on the crease or outer eyelid. If the eyes are more dramatic, keep the lips softer, or reverse that balance if you want a statement lip. Metallic makeup can be festive and glamorous without being overpowering. It is all about creating contrast and keeping the look intentional.
M: What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to make their makeup last all day?
LPN: One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that more product automatically means longer wear. Applying too much skincare, layering incompatible formulas, using excessive powder or repeatedly adding foundation throughout the day can cause makeup to look heavy or separate. Another common mistake is not allowing skincare and each makeup layer to settle before applying the next. Start with skin preparation suited to your skin type, use long-wearing formulas where needed and apply products in thin layers. Set the areas that require it with a light dusting of powder and use a setting spray as the final step. For touch-ups, blot away excess oil before adding powder rather than layering product over it.
M: How can you stop foundation from creasing or separating in India's heat and humidity?
LPN: In India's heat and humidity, the best approach is to keep the base lightweight and build it strategically. Begin with a moisturiser suited to your skin type and avoid applying excessive skincare immediately before makeup. Use a compatible primer where needed, followed by a thin layer of foundation and targeted concealer. Allow each layer to settle, and lightly set areas prone to movement or shine, particularly around the nose, forehead and under-eyes. Waterproof or long-wearing products can be useful for specific areas, but they should still be applied sparingly. Throughout the day, blot perspiration and excess oil gently instead of rubbing the face or adding more foundation. Remember that skin naturally produces oil and makeup will move to some extent; the aim is to control that movement, not create an unnecessarily thick, immovable base.
M: What sets bridal makeup apart from festive makeup when it comes to the base, colour and longevity?
LPN: Festive makeup is often more flexible and experimental, allowing you to play with colour, texture and trends depending on the occasion. Bridal makeup requires a more considered approach because it needs to complement the bride's outfit, jewellery, personal style and the duration of the celebrations. The base needs to look beautiful in person as well as in photographs, without becoming too heavy or losing its natural dimension. Colour choices are also more personalised, taking into consideration cultural traditions and the bride's preferences. Longevity is especially important for bridal makeup, so skin preparation, strategic layering, targeted setting and a well-planned touch-up routine are essential. Ultimately, bridal makeup should feel like an elevated version of the bride herself, not a transformation.
M: How can brides experiment with current makeup trends while choosing a look that will still feel timeless years later?
LPN: My advice to brides is to use trends as inspiration rather than a rulebook. Choose elements that genuinely resonate with your personality and allow you to express your individuality. You can incorporate contemporary details while keeping the overall look balanced and harmonious.
I always encourage brides to prioritise their comfort and identity over recreating a trending look simply because it is popular. Consider your outfit, jewellery, the setting of the celebration and your traditions, but most importantly, think about how you want to feel on your wedding day and how you would like to remember yourself when you look back at your photographs years later.
The most beautiful bridal makeup is not necessarily the most elaborate; it is the makeup that makes you feel confident, comfortable and completely yourself. Trends will evolve, but makeup that celebrates your individuality will always feel timeless.