As we speak, the merry season swiftly approaches its zenith. By the end of the week, most of us would have had our usual gatherings or two with our loved ones; basked in the festive cheer; and captured enough memories on camera to memorialise forever. Whilst many may still be frantically on the search for a last-minute gift option, there’s simply no denying that we’ve also landed at the crunch time for making smart sartorial decisions. And once the outfits have been mentally prepared for? Then comes the hour of deciding its accompanying beauty look.
To that end, we at Vogue Singapore are here to lend a helping hand—and bring your attention to some much-needed inspiration that’s right in line with the mood of the year-end. The aesthetic in mind: frosty, high-octane looks that wouldn’t look out of place with your metallic shimmers or slinky satin numbers. Think looks that would recall The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia, Frozen’s Elsa or 2023’s mermaidcore craze after the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey.
There’s a rampant number of ways to approach the aesthetic—expect a coalescence of wet, glossy finishes; liquid metallic lids; cascading embellishments; and heavy doses of wintry whites or frosty blues all over. And if it’s further points of reference you need, not to fret, for a wealth of inspo lies for you to peruse below. Presenting an exhaustive guide to hair and make-up looks you can don to zhuzh up your festive aura at those impending parties ahead. Will this be your most audacious make-up look yet? We think yes.
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The wet, glossy finish: Jurin of XG
The wet look reigns supreme. No better time to pull out your best liquid glitters and shimmers—and smear it across your lids and under eyes. Not to be forgotten? A deliciously glossy pout, à la Castaway Diva‘s Bae Gang-hee. Of course, moisturised, textured tresses will add drama, and you can choose to wear yours like Taeyeon does. For those who prefer a high-impact runway moment, then Anrealage’s gelled-up visage and slicked ponytail is a definite alternative.
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The wet, glossy finish: Bae Gang-hee
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The wet, glossy finish: Anrealage spring/summer 2024 show
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The wet, glossy finish: Taeyeon of Girls' Generation
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Frosty blue lids: Dove Cameron
Running out of time? Skip everything else and make your peepers the sole point of focus this merry season. Enliven your lids with a vibrant hue of blue just like Emma Chamberlain and NIKI does, and better still, match the hue to your ensemble for the day. Otherwise, you can opt to lean into the magic of the season and swoop it down to create a dusty ‘C’ shaped blush look too. Dove Cameron exemplifies it best.
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Frosty blue lids: Emma Chamberlain
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Frosty blue lids: NIKI
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Pearls and glitters: Ariana Grande
If ethereal beauty is your aim this time around, then look to the myriad of Pinterest board-worthy looks delivered by the likes of Ariana Grande or Chungha for her ‘Sparkling’ MV. The former surely knows a thing or two about dolling up for the season: an intricately-embellished liner emboldened by streaks of gold glitter on her pulled-back mane. For more of a statement, go with a strategic placement of pearls near the nose bridge—as executed by Thai actor-singer Janhae. Our sole advice? Make sure you’ve got plenty of hours on hand.
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Pearls and glitters: Janhae
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Pearls and glitters: Chungha
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Pearls and glitters: Grace Elizabeth
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Metallic shine: Rina Sawayama
Opted for metallics this festive season? Then make sure to reflect it in your make-up as well, by adorning your eyes with some generous swathes of liquid silver. Amp up on the drama like Rina Sawayama does and create a visor effect by stretching it across the brows and nose bridge area, or go for a softer, barely-there effect as seen on make-up connoisseur Steph Hui.
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Metallic shine: Steph Hui
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Metallic shine: Chanel fall/winter 2023 show
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Wintry whites: Doja Cat
Few hues are instantly reminiscent of the season, but when it comes to make-up, pristine swatches of white are the ultimate way to recall the snowy affair that’s usually associated with the holidays. Splash your mien in the wintry hue—be it over lids, under the eyes, or in unique, abstract placements that would give your aesthetic an avant-garde feel. Some inspo from recent times to try your hand at? Stephanie Hsu’s blunt liner look from the CFDA Fashion Awards this year.
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Wintry whites: Giambattista Valli spring/summer 2024 show
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