I'm a Beauty Editor Who's Spent Years Crafting the Perfect Holiday Makeup Routine—This Is It

It's official. I'm the proud owner of a side hustle. Before studying journalism at university, I enrolled on a year-long hair and makeup course at Delamar Academy in London. This really lay the foundations of everything that followed in my career, and I got to learn about the beauty industry on an even deeper, 'hands-on' level. In the last couple of years, I’ve dusted off my MUA brushes metaphorically speaking of course and I’ve been dipping my toe in the world of wedding makeup, which picks up significantly in the summer months.

The vibe I’m asked for time and time again at this time of year is lightweight, glowy, natural coverage, where skin still looks like skin, and features are softly sculpted. And most importantly? It needs to stay put all day long. To perfectly achieve this timeless long-lasting look, I’ve found the products I reach for are often the same ones that make my holiday makeup shortlist, which is no easy feat. As I’m sure you well know, holiday packing takes great skill and patience and only the best of the best makes the cut. Yes of course I’d love to bring my entire makeup collection, but that in itself would require its own carry-on case, and have you seen the price of extra luggage these days?

Elsa Hosk Holiday Makeup

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

Much like wedding makeup, a reliable holiday makeup routine consists of effective, multi-tasking products that don't budge. "You want things that will withstand heat and humidity," agrees makeup artist Yasmin Salmon. "I tend to find it can really effect the makeup if you have too much on, so go for a lightweight, 'less-is-more' approach to achieve the perfect holiday makeup look."

Amaka Hamelijnck holiday makeup routine

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Shop My Current Holiday Makeup Routine:

The Best Base Products for Holiday:

1. Refy Face Primer

2. Hourglass Veil Skin Tint

3. Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer

4. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

The Best Eye Products for Holiday:

1. SOSU All Matte Everything Eyeshadow Palette

2. Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Eyeliner

3. Beauty Pie Wondercolour Longwear Cream Eyeshadow Stick

4. L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara

The Best Lip Products for Holiday:

1. Kosas Hotliner Hyaluronic Acid Contouring Lip Liner

2. UKLash Plumping Lip Gloss

3. MERIT Signature Matte Lipstick

4. Wonderskin Lip Stain Masque

The Best Cheek Products for Holiday:

1. Rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle

2. Sculpted by Aimee Liquid Lights

3. Makeup by Mario Soft Sculpt Shaping Stick

4. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

Mollie Burdell is a freelance beauty editor, presenter and host. She trained as a makeup artist at the prestigious Delamar Academy, covering everything from prosthetics and theatre to TV and film, and then went on to graduate from university with a First Class Honours degree in journalism.After completing internships at Grazia, Look, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, she landed her first writer role at Superdrug's Dare magazine. Mollie then joined the Harrods content team as a beauty writer before being promoted to the deputy beauty editor. There, she developed the content strategy, tone of voice and creative identity for H Beauty—Harrods's standalone regional beauty stores. When she wasn't interviewing the likes of Gigi Hadid, Miranda Kerr and Regé-Jean Page, you'd find her on a live broadcast, hosting an event, shooting video content, reviewing the lastest beauty launch on social or crafting a magazine feature. She has also hosted and contributed to the LuxeGirl by SheerLuxe YouTube series.When Mollie isn't writing about beauty, you'll find her talking about it on a TikTok shop, dancing to pretty much anything with a beat, reading a crime thriller or performing a solo rendition of "One Day More" from Les Mis.