CHANEL Holiday makeup looks with makeup artist Victoria Baron

WORDS Emily Algar PHOTOGRAPHY Britt Murphy PUBLISHED Mon, 2 Dec 2024 - 6:30 pm

There's no party like a CHANEL party, and no makeup look quite like one achieved with the limited CHANEL holiday collection. Inspired by aurora borealis, the collection pairs iridescent lavender with plum, fuchsia, silver and gold — a perfect palette for party season.

To help inspire your own looks, CHANEL makeup artist Victoria Baron shares her interpretation of the collection, and some advice for easy application at home.

Firstly, what's your favourite piece in the holiday collection?

The Rouge Allure L’Extrait lipsticks. I’ve always loved lipstick for the way it can transform how you feel. They’re the most multi-functional product in a handbag; easy to apply and great for a quick pop of colour on the cheeks or even the eyes.

I love a bold party makeup look, but have a hard time approaching colour. What are your best tips for integrating pigment in a way that's foolproof?

What I love most about the CHANEL Holiday Collection, is the variety of colours and textures and how they allow different ways for light to play on your skin.

Colour can definitely feel intimidating and it’s easy to worry about getting it wrong. My best advice is to start small and choose a couple of products from the same makeup collection. These products are designed to work together; so a lot of the guesswork is already done for you. It can even be as simple as a nail polish. CHANEL Le Vernis in Charmer is an understated way to ease into colour. From there, you can explore a bright lipstick or an eyeshadow softly dusted over the lid.

Another option is swapping out your usual black or brown liner for something more adventurous, like Le Liner de CHANEL in Brun Feu or Prune Mystérieux. Small changes like these can help you embrace colour in a way that feels approachable and fun.

Talk to me about eye makeup specifically; what are some applications tips you can share?

I always start with proper skin prep. If you’re planning longevity, it’s essential to ensure your eyelids are clean and free of any residue or oil. I like to use CHANEL L’Eau Micellaire to create a fresh canvas. If your eyelids have any discolouration, you can lightly sweep a bit of leftover foundation from your brush onto them and set it with a light dusting of powder.

Next, I take an eyeshadow brush (or my finger) and use one of the shades from the CHANEL Enchanted Night Les 4 Ombre Eyeshadow and Blush Palette. Start close to the lash line, as this is where the most intense colour will go, and blend upwards into the socket. Bright colours are most vibrant where you initially place the brush, so I always focus on the lash line first before blending out.

For more depth, I like to apply a liner along the lash line—it can be kept sharp for definition or blended slightly for a softer look. The beauty of this palette is its versatility; you can use one colour or mix several, depending on your mood. For example, try a copper shade on the lid, blend a deep purple at the outer corner and along the lower lash line, and add a soft pink through the socket for dimension.

Finish by curling your lashes and applying mascara. If you prefer a more minimal look, keep the lids bare and press the silver shade across the lid for a subtle yet, festive touch.

What about a bold lip?

I’ve always loved a bold lip. Chanel Rouge Allure L’Extrait has a highly pigmented formula and smaller bullet which makes it easy to apply. Start at the cupid’s bow and work outward to the corners of the mouth, then from the corners back toward the center. For extra impact, blot with a tissue and add a second layer. Apply leftover colour to the cheeks for a natural flush.

I also recommend keeping cotton tips and CHANEL L’Eau Micellaire handy to clean up edges or fix small mistakes.

And luminous skin?

Luminous skin is effortless with this collection but it can be overdone! It’s important to choose where you want the shine and what overall texture you want to achieve. The CHANEL Diamond Dust Illuminating Powder is perfect for this — it has unique pink and gold undertones that can be applied on the tops of the cheeks, the bridge of the nose, eyelids and under the brow. You can even lightly dust it on the décolletage for a subtle glow.

When applying, use a brush and focus sweeping the product across the skin rather than flicking it, as iridescent powders can scatter, if overworked. This technique ensures a soft, glowing finish without too much fall out.

Can you share your best advice for skin preparation underneath a bold makeup look?

As mentioned earlier; skin preparation is essential, whether you’re going for a bold or natural makeup look—it sets the stage for everything else. Start with a double cleanse: the first removes surface impurities, and the second ensures a deeper clean so your skincare products can absorb effectively.

Follow with a serum, like the N°1 de CHANEL Revitalizing Serum, which hydrates and refreshes the skin. Next, apply a moisturiser suited to your skin type, taking time to massage it in for full absorption. I also recommend exfoliating the lips with a flannel and applying lip balm to ensure they’re smooth and hydrated ready for lipstick.

Before makeup, remove any oily residue from the eyelids. Hydrated and well-prepared skin will ensure your makeup applies easily and lasts longer.

Finally, what's a fail-safe party makeup look you always fall back on?

Party makeup for me is always about choosing a feature to focus on and working from there. My go-to look often starts with a lipstick, which is an easy and impactful way to feel instantly dressed up. A fun or unexpected shade—something outside your everyday routine—can completely transform your mood and make you feel party-ready.

If I’m focusing on the eyes, I love adding colour or shimmering products to reflect light. Once I’ve chosen the feature I want to highlight, I work backwards. For a bold lip, I’ll pick the lipstick first and then keep the eyes softer, to complement. For a statement eye, I’ll start with the eye shades and let them guide the rest of the look.

To me, party makeup is about finding the balance between boldness and fun, whilst still staying authentic to who you are. It’s about pushing the boundaries but feeling your best while you’re doing it—keeping the look effortless and carefree.