10 Thanksgiving Makeup Looks That Are Bound to Steal the Show

While turkey, mashed potatoes, and candied yams are always the stars of Thanksgiving dinner, if you’re the Kim Kardashian of the family like we assume you probably are, there’s arguably something more important on the table: the Thanksgiving lewk. What better time to try out new techniques and the most viral glam than when surrounded by friends and family? They’re the best audience, after all.

From smoky shadows to classic red lips to glowing skin, we’ve got a feast of Thanksgiving makeup looks that’ll have you looking like the main course on the big day. Read on for all the inspo you’ll need to steal the show.

1. Lilac Flush

We know this one might be a little extra, but are you really the “Kim” if you aren’t giving extra? We’re obsessed with this Thanksgiving makeup look for its monochromatic elements and the way it’ll make you look like a Thanksgiving fairy. Just prime your face with a super glowy base like the MISCHO BEAUTY Sheer Glow Primer, grab your fave sparkly lilac shadow like the one in this KAB COSMETICS Eyeshadow Quad in Smokeshow, and fairy dust away.

2. A Cooler Colorblock

All you need to pull off this number is a bold lip like the REINA REBELDE Mini Bold Lip Color Stick in Divina and a contrasting swipe of shadow—and voilà! Suddenly you look like the cool, older cousin that has a viable reason to show up to Thanksgiving dinner late—all thanks to your stunning makeup look.

3. The Great Glitter Revival

Whether it’s with gemstones or your trusty shimmer shadows, it doesn’t matter how you achieve this Thanksgiving makeup look as long as the end goal is glitter. We love the ALAMAR COSMETICS Destino Eyeshadow Palette of this show-stopper for its variety of pigmented shimmer and metallic shadows. Just swipe the seriously gorgeous shade of your choice along your lids, brow bone, and as a gloss topper on your lips for a glitter look that’ll have everyone at the dinner table talking.

4. That Holiday Glow

You know that glow you get when you’ve just had much-needed family time? Yeah, this look gives that vibe. All you really need is a light, glowy foundation, a champagne highlighter like the WANDER BEAUTY Wanderess Glow Highlighter, and a glossy lip and you’ve got yourself a Thanksgiving makeup look that’ll make you the star of the show.

5. The Little Black Wing

A little black wing can do no wrong no matter where you sport it—at the Thanksgiving dinner table is no different. Grab a liner with a super sharp tip like the CIATÉ LONDON Fierce Flicks Liquid Liner and draw your wing out just enough to cause a little commotion among the aunties, then top off the classic Thanksgiving makeup look with a nude, glossy lip. 

6. Left ‘Em on Red

When all else fails, slap on a red lip. But since we’re ditching basic Thanksgiving makeup looks this year, this iteration of the classic pout calls for lining your lips with a darker lip liner color, filling in with a red like the LOVE+CRAFT+BEAUTY Retractable Lip Liner + Brush in Alien Kiss, and topping everything off with a super-shiny gloss.

7. Berry Thankful Glam

This Thanksgiving makeup look is like the TikTok-famous strawberry makeup, but fall edition. Just swap the pink and strawberry blushes and shadows for plum and berry shades like the ones in the KAB COSMETICS Eyeshadow Quad in Plum Fairy. Then, to finish off the look, go for a berry bold lip.

8. Pumpkin Latte Makeup

Latte makeup is all over your FYP right now for a reason. To make it more fun and Thanksgiving-spirited, swap out the browns and champagnes for more bronze and peach tones. The shadows and highlighter shades in the PHASE ZERO MAKE UP Quad Eyeshadow Palette in Santorini will really sweeten the deal.

9. A Moment for Mauve

Mauve is really having a moment right now, so we figured giving it a spot at the Thanksgiving dinner made perfect sense. The way to really make this look the star of the show is by sticking with one shade of mauve for all over the face. Reach for a monochromatic palette like the HUDA BEAUTY Mauve Obsessions Palette to achieve this understated Thanksgiving makeup look.

10. Classic Smoky Eye

A smoky makeup look is the most foolproof way to have main character energy. To achieve it, all you need is an eyeshadow stick like the BELLE EN ARGENT No Fall Out Eyeshadow Stick in Lauren and an angled brush, then blend away. The best part about this Thanksgiving makeup look is that it’s easy to achieve—you don’t need to be precise with it.

Want more holiday glam action? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!