Fall Into Holiday Glam: Rich Looks for Deep Complexions, From Halloween to New Year's Eve

Oct 11

Written By Derrica

There's a moment every fall when the light turns golden and melanin practically glows on its own. That's my favorite time of year to do makeup. The colors get richer, the calendar fills up, and every gathering is a reason to show up looking like the best version of you.

From Halloween parties and Friendsgiving to office parties, family photos, and New Year's Eve, here's your guide to fall-to-holiday glam made for deep complexions.

1. Fall shades that make deep skin glow

Fall colors and deep skin were made for each other. These are the shades I reach for most from October through December:

Bronze and copper eyes. Metallic warm tones reflect light beautifully on deeper lids. Try a copper shimmer pressed into the center of the lid.
Burnt orange and terracotta. These warm up the whole face, on the eyes or as a blush.
Plum, berry, and wine lips. A deep berry lip is the definition of fall glam. Line it a shade deeper for a polished edge.
Chocolate and espresso liner. Softer than black, and it gives a smoky eye a warm finish.

Undertone tip: Not every deep complexion wears fall colors the same way. Golden and amber undertones glow in copper and bronze. Red-brown undertones look stunning in berry and wine. Olive undertones do beautifully with warm browns and soft gold. Knowing your undertone is the difference between "nice" and "who did your makeup?"

2. Your holiday party look guide

Halloween is first on the calendar. You don't have to choose between a costume and looking good. Glam costume looks are all about rich color, shine, and drama, and deep skin carries them beautifully:

Glam witch: blackberry lip, smoky espresso eye, sharp wing
Vampire glam: sculpted cheekbones, a deep red lip, a soft-lit glow
Golden goddess: gold shimmer lids, glowing highlight, a bronze glossy lip
Celestial glam: metallic eyes, scattered gems or glitter, luminous skin

Then the rest of the season:

Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving: soft glam. A warm bronze eye, glowing skin, and a nude-brown lip. Polished in photos, comfortable through a long dinner.
Office holiday party: elevated natural. Defined brows, a soft wing, and a berry stain. Put-together without stealing the meeting.
Holiday dinners and family photos: classic glam. A full lash, a sculpted face, and a rich red or wine lip. Reads beautifully on camera and in person.
New Year's Eve: full glam. A shimmer eye, a statement lash, and long-wear everything. Built to last until midnight and beyond.

3. Make your glam last all night

Plan for the flash. Holiday photos mean flash. I use photo-friendly products so your complexion photographs true to your skin tone, with no white cast.
Set it like you mean it. Long nights call for setting spray between layers, not just at the end.
Carry a touch-up trio: your lip color, blotting papers, and a small powder or setting spray.
Cold-weather prep. Drink water and moisturize the days before your event, so foundation sits smoothly instead of clinging to dry spots.

4. Book your holiday glam

The season books up fast, especially weekends in December. Here's how to work with me:

Signature Glam, mobile to you anywhere in Metro Atlanta: $260, travel included
Signature Glam in my Snellville studio: $197, available by request. Email info@deckedoutbeauty.com to ask for a studio date.
Holiday Party Glam for groups of 3 or more at one location: $175 per person

Want to master your own holiday look? Ask about a Private Makeup Lesson, a one-on-one session where I teach you your shades and techniques. Glam and lesson gift cards are available too, and they make a gift that gets used.

5. Newsletter readers save $25

Subscribers to the Decked Out Beauty newsletter get $25 off their booking. Just mention the newsletter when you book, at least 2 weeks before your date. Not on the list yet? Join the newsletter and the perk is yours.

Holiday booking deadlines for the $25 perk: