Hanging ornaments, wrapping presents, frosting cookies…why should decorating for the holidays stop at the tree? This year, add festive details to your get-ready routine, too. Try cute extras like glittery embellishments, sweet bows and shiny tinsel to craft a holiday look that says, “It’s me, hi, I’m the gift, it’s me.”
All trimmed up
In your hair
It’s giving ethereal snow princess energy: Upgrade any style with a little sparkle. Line rhinestones along your part, tuck them into braids or scatter them through a sleek pony. Choose rainbow gems for a playful vibe or go classic with silver and gold. Use stick-ons or a dot of lash glue to keep them secure, says beauty education specialist Stanley Nolan. “When you’re ready to remove them, gently peel—don’t rip,” she advises.
Bead Landing Round Flatback Austrian Crystals Mix, $12, michaels.com
With your makeup
Once your eyeshadow is done, use clear lash glue to add rhinestone accents above your crease, along your lash line or dotted in the corners of your eyes, suggests makeup artist Tamara Boyd.
Huda Beauty Sticky Tack Latex-Free Lash Glue, $15, hudabeauty.com
On your nails
Crystals instantly take your mani from chill to party mode. After your polish and top coat, dab gel nail glue where you want each rhinestone, “then use tweezers to place,” says Nolan. Once set, finish with another clear top coat to keep the stones in place all night.
L.A. Girl Ultra Strength Gel Nail Glue, $4, lagirlusa.com
Add the tinsel
On your nails
Go for chunky glitter polish or cut tiny strips of tinsel and press them into damp polish. Finish with a few layers of clear coat for a set of digits perfect for the ball drop.
Orly Nail Lacquer in After School Special, $13, orlybeauty.com
With your makeup
Trace your lash line with liquid glitter shadow, then blend before it dries for a soft, shimmery wash. Add a few coats of mascara to make the sparkle stand out even more.
Black Radiance Eye Appeal Lid Glitz in 5 Star, $7, blackradiancebeauty.com
In your hair
Clip-in tinsel extensions are like holiday lights for your hair—pop them in to make your blowout shine.
Umylar Hair Tinsel Pack, $6, amazon.com
Take a bow
In your hair
Go bold with one oversized ribbon or keep it playful with smaller clip-on bows sprinkled throughout your strands. “They look great when your hair is half up, half down, in loose pigtails or braids or even scattered through loose hair of any texture,” says Nolan.
Art Class Lace Bow Hair Clip Set, $6, target.com
On your nails
Use a skinny brush to paint darling bow details freehand. “Let the brush curve naturally to create the bow shape,” says celeb manicurist Sojin Oh. Not a nail artist? Semi-cured gel strips are an easy hack—they stick on and cure under UV light in just one minute for a pro finish.
Kijibae Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips in Clueless, $15, shopkijibae.com
With your makeup
Go for graphic liner, but make it festive by adding a sweet little bow to the wing, says makeup artist Tiesha Williams. A precise liquid liner makes drawing two loops and tails much easier (we love matching the shade to our outfit for a monochromatic moment).
ColourPop BFF Ultra Fine Liquid Liner in Try Me, $10, ulta.com
Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our December/January 2026 issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!
More holiday content, right this way…
❄️ The ultimate holiday gift guide (for every type of bestie)
❄️ Make this season dough-lightful with these Christmas cookie recipes
❄️ Beaded bows are the cutest holiday DIY
Top and slider image: @katiejanehughes
Body images: @hallyhair, @nikki_makeup, @imarninails, @nailsbykatiedutra, @katiejanehughes, @sullylayo, @khalilabeavers, @overglowedit, @glowbysoph
