2025 Holiday Lip Guide According to Your Skin Tone
Hey gorgeous! As a bridal makeup artist, self-proclaimed beauty expert and lover of all things beauty- the holiday season is basically my Super Bowl. From Christmas parties to New Year’s glam, everyone suddenly wants that perfect lip. You know the one. It’s those bold, vibrant lips that scream festive.
This year’s holiday lip trends are bold as always, juicy, luxe, nostalgic, but let’s focus on making them beautifully inclusive. Today, I’m breaking down the best holiday lip colors according to skin tones. We’re covering my fellow South Asian beauties, those fair skinned angels and the rich, dark, stunning complexions as well. One size does not fit all when it comes to a bold lip, so let this guide do the work for you.
Holiday 2025 Lip Trends Everyone Is Obsessed With
In case you already have a strong understanding of what works best for your skin but still need a little guidance on what lip trends to try this season, I’ve compiled a list for you too.
These are the shades and textures dominating 2025 and they’re flattering across a wide range of skin tones when chosen with the right undertone in mind.
Glassy Glosses
High shine, hydrated “glass lips” are officially back. Think sheen without the stickiness. These are dominating recently. From Fenty to Rhode – there’s plenty of options to choose from.
Vibrant Berries
Rich berry tones. These always make an appearance around the holidays and this year is no different. Mulberry, currant, cranberry – those are everywhere. They scream winter glam.
Tailored Reds
Reds are a holiday classic. Elegant and failproof – if you know what works with your skin tone. Deep bricks, cherry, classic scarlet, deep wine, berry-red hybrids.
Warm, Cocoa Browns
Warm, earthy clay-inspired browns are trending hard, and they are surprisingly universal.
Blurred & Diffused Lips
A blurred-out stain that looks youthful and chic filled in with a slightly lighter hue in the middle. It’s the perfect look for a mistletoe moment.
How I Match Lip Shades to Different Skin Tones
I know you’ve heard about color analysis and believe me, it can be a lot to unpack. I don’t know about you but during the holidays I’m looking for simplicity wherever possible. To sum it up, we’re focusing on skin tone and undertone so you can quickly spot your best holiday shades without having to swatch 1000 vibrant colors on your hand in Sephora. If you’re looking for a more in-depth breakdown discussing skin tones/undertones and color palettes, I have a blog post touching on this topic here: The Best Lipstick Shades For Every Color Palette. Okay, let’s find your perfect festive shade.
Medium to Deep Browns
Typical Undertones: warm golden, olive, or neutral
These skin tones need shades that enhance warmth. People with these skin tones and undertones photograph beautifully in golden lighting and so should these lip shades, and the shades I’ve chosen flatter melanin without going ashy or overly bright.
Flattering Holiday Shades:
terracotta brown
brick red
deep berry
cocoa brown
glassy warm-toned gloss
Fair Skin
Typical Undertones: cool pink, neutral, or warm
These are our snow queens that really embody that bright, cherry red color. Cooler reds and berries add life without overpowering or washing out complexion here. Soft roses are also a good option for those who want a more subtle “winter flush” effect for their holiday glam.
Flattering Holiday Shades:
blue-based cherry reds
cool berries
dusty rose and mauve
sheer rose gloss
soft berry stains
Deep, Dark Skin Tones
Typical Undertones: deep warm, neutral, or cool
People with these skin tones need products that are just as deep and rich as their complexions. Deep pigments look vibrant and luxe on rich skin; these shades enhance natural depth and won’t take away from it.
Flattering Holiday Shades:
deep wine
vampy plum
chocolate brown
rich saturated reds
full-bodied berry
My Favorite Holiday Lip Products Trending This Season
There are definitely some must-tries I've come across this season for creating that perfect holiday lip. Some of these shades work for a variety of skin tones, others are more specifically catered for specific undertones and complexions. I’ve created a list that makes it easy for you to choose from as well as similar shades to fit any budget and for my last-minute shoppers to avoid that dreaded “out of stock” panic. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back!
Dior Rouge Dior Holiday 2025 – Velvet Finish 999
Best For: All skin tones
A plush, elegant deep red that flatters fair to deep brown to ebony. On lighter skin, it reads classic; on deeper skin, it feels regal. Dior understood the assignment by making this a red that is universally flattering as it adapts to individual skin chemistry – reading differently on warm and cool skin tones. Get your hands on this one quickly because it's a limited edition.
Comparable shades:
Universal: Maybelline “Red For Me”
Neutral: Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint “Uncensored”
Warm: Charlotte Tilbury “Ruby Blur”
Cool: MAC Matte “Ruby Woo”
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - “Black Cherry”
Best For: COOL UNDERTONES - Very fair or Medium/Deep to Dark Skin
A plum-red with blue undertones. A bold, rich, and perfect option for a holiday party glam. Or just to wear – because you’re glamorous. This shade is a deep, stunning reddish purple that is best for those with cool undertones.
Comparable Shades:
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick “Hex”
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint -“Underdawg”
Best For: WARM UNDERTONES – Medium Olives and Deep, Dark tones
This is a deep burgundy shade for those who are looking outside of that typical red holiday lip. This shade is similar to the previous but rather than cool undertones, really works with warm features. It’s a deep, mature shade perfect for a sleek, sophisticated holiday glam.
Comparable Shades:
Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick “Blackberry Pop”
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet - “Pomegranate”
Best For: NEUTRAL UNDERTONES - South Asian + Deeper Tones
This lipstick is really versatile, so it could work for darker tones and lighter tones as well, but it pops differently on those medium, neutral tones. For lighter skin tones, it would wear a deeper berry, and for darker skin tones almost a rosy pink. On medium, neutral skin tones its the perfect berry color that makes for gorgeous holiday photos but is not too bold if you want something a bit more casual.
My MUA Tips for a Perfect Holiday Lip
Now that you’ve got an idea on what shade you’re going for this holiday season, let’s talk about how to make sure it looks perfect. I cannot stress enough the importance of intention. Too many times I’ve had a bride show up to me with an unbalanced look or dry lips and I promise you – these things matter. Let me tell you how to avoid finishing your look and feeling disappointed because something just looks – off.
Prep the Lips
No lip product is a match against dry, cracked lips. You need to make sure you are hydrating your lips first. Then blot them dry before applying your perfect holiday shade. Matte lips especially need moisture first. Also – if you want a matte lip and only have creamy products blot it carefully with a translucent setting powder for a matte effect.
Use a Complementary Lip Liner
Lip kits are common these days, so check if they have that available. If not, going a shade or two lighter than your lipstick is a safe bet to keep it looking natural but still creating some dimension.
Balance Your Makeup
Of course, we all have different preferences and aesthetics we are aiming for, so take this one with a grain of salt. This is my preference for maximizing your natural beauty and looking glam and gorgeous for the holiday. If you want a deeper, bolder lip, go for a softer look on the eyes and maybe a softer contour. If you want a deep, smoky eye, try a lighter brown or soft rose shade for the lips. It’s all about balance for that perfect harmony we want on our faces.
Know Your Wear Time
Honestly, for the busy holidays, I prefer a velvet matte lip. Not only does it look amazing in photos, but it lasts the longest and requires the least amount of touching up throughout the day. However, if you’re going to be eating make sure you bring back up. Glosses and creams are easier to touch up when needed but keep in mind they won’t last as long.
Why Inclusive Lip Guides Matter to Me
As a South Asian woman, I grew up watching how intensely the right lip color could change a look. Or wondering why that gorgeous, deep, cool red could look so stunning on this actress but on me just washed out my warm features. Once I became an MUA, I realized quickly: beauty is more than one shade or one undertone. You must know what works for you and honestly? The magic of makeup is how unique and beautiful different colors look on different people. A little guidance can go a long way for someone who knows what they want but doesn’t know the best way to get there. One red shade might wash you out, but the next will have you glowing. It’s only right during the season of giving that I share my tips and tricks with all of you and we can all stun at our holiday parties.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re medium, neutral, olive, fair, deep, warm, cool, or somewhere in between — I promise there’s a holiday lip color here with your name on it. And this is your year to try something new: A dark brown, a berry, a tailored red, that bold plum, one as deep as your wine? Do it. Your holiday selfies will thank you.
If you want a personalized lip shade recommendation based on your exact undertone, outfit, or event – comment below or reach out on Instagram or Tiktok! I’d love to match you.
