13 Holiday Beauty Traditions From Around The World

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Across the globe, holiday beauty traditions reflect more than personal style; they’re cultural expressions rooted in joy, ritual, and seasonal transformation. While American holiday beauty leans into glittery eyeshadow, red lips, and perfectly styled waves, other countries celebrate the season with deeply meaningful and incredibly creative practices. Here are 13 beauty traditions from around the world that may inspire your next holiday look.

Japan – Oshiroi and Subtle Elegance

In Japan, the holiday season often calls for clean, porcelain like skin, a tradition influenced by Oshiroi, a white face powder used in classical performances and rituals. Women opt for minimalist makeup, soft blush, and perfectly groomed brows to reflect purity and calmness. This pared-down aesthetic feels timeless and refreshingly modern.

India – Haldi and Henna Celebrations

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Though major holidays like Diwali take place earlier in the year, many families in India embrace beauty traditions throughout the winter, including haldi turmeric facials and intricate mehndi henna designs. These customs bring the family together and prepare the skin for festivities. Henna isn’t just for weddings; it’s also used to mark the season with floral, vine-like patterns on hands and feet.

France – Red Lips and Effortless Glamour

French women approach holiday beauty with their signature touch of nonchalance. A flawless red lip often in a deep wine or classic cherry is the centerpiece. Paired with tousled hair and soft, glowing skin, the result is romantic and refined. There’s rarely contouring or overdone features.

Brazil – Beachy Glow and Bronze Beauty

In Brazil, the holidays fall during the summer, and the look is all about sun kissed skin, shimmering bronzer, and playful hair. Coconut oil is used both as a skin hydrator and a hair smoother. Bright nails, glossy lips, and minimal clothing make the festive season feel like a tropical escape.

Nigeria – Traditional Headwraps and Bold Palettes

In Nigeria, Christmas and New Year celebrations are vibrant affairs with beauty to match. Women often wear gele elaborate headwraps that symbolize elegance and family honor. Bold eyeshadow, metallic highlighter, and rich lipstick shades are common. Local beauty rituals include shea butter treatments and braided hairstyles, which serve both protective and decorative purposes.

South Korea – Dewy Skin and Glossed Perfection

K-Beauty has global influence, but during South Korea’s winter holidays, the focus sharpens on glowing, youthful skin. Multi-step skincare routines are in full swing, ensuring complexions are dewy and glass like. Soft tints on lips and cheeks, gradient lips, and fluttery lashes finish the look. Sheet masks become stocking stuffers, and even makeup has a skincare first approach.

Mexico – Braids, Florals, and Earthy Tones

Mexican beauty blends tradition with flair for holidays like Las Posadas and Christmas Eve feasts. Long braids adorned with ribbons or fresh flowers are popular, echoing indigenous influences. Earthy makeup tones, warm browns, and terracotta blushes pair with glowing skin and natural lashes.

Russia – Cold-Weather Radiance and Bold Features

Russian women embrace bold makeup during their long winter holidays, especially New Year’s Eve. Smoky eyes, winged liner, and bright matte lips in crimson or berry are seasonal staples. Cold weather demands skincare, so thick moisturizers and lip balms are musts. Faux fur accessories, pearl earrings, and shimmering eyeshadow give the whole look an icy elegance that’s breathtakingly festive.

Ethiopia – Natural Oils and Tribal-Inspired Beauty

In Ethiopian Orthodox traditions, the holiday Genna is a time for reflection and festivity. Beauty routines often include natural oils like besoof bela or frankincense infused blends. Hair is styled in traditional braids, sometimes wrapped or beaded. The minimalist look centers around glowing skin and natural finishes, but it’s deeply meaningful, rooted in heritage and respect for tradition.

Italy – Glamour Meets Tradition

Italian holiday beauty is steeped in old-school glamour, thick lashes, bold red lips, and glossy waves. But tradition runs deeper, with olive oil treatments for hair and skin that date back generations. The scent of citrus and fig perfumes fills the air during La Vigilia celebrations, as women gather dressed in black lace or deep velvet.

Thailand – Flower Adornments and Soft Radiance

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During year end festivities, Thai women often wear jasmine flower crowns or clips, symbolizing peace and prosperity. Light, breathable makeup and cooling powders keep skin fresh in tropical humidity. Glossy lips, subtle highlighter, and pastel shadows reflect the local love of softness and grace.

Sweden – Natural Blush and Crown Braids

In Sweden, where the holidays celebrate light amid long nights, beauty rituals center around a fresh faced look. Crown braids and minimal makeup, enhanced with soft pink cheeks and lip balm, reflect the understated charm of Scandinavian style. Skin is hydrated with rich creams, and candles glow during Saint Lucia processions.

Morocco – Kohl Eyes and Scented Rituals

Moroccan holiday beauty is sensory and stunning. Kohl eyeliner frames the eyes with dramatic flair, while rose water and orange blossom oils hydrate the skin. Hair is treated with argan oil, and nails are often painted in deep reds or henna patterns. Celebrations include fragrant spaces and vibrant clothing, making beauty a full body experience that honors tradition and sensuality.

These global holiday beauty traditions show us that beauty isn’t one size fits all; it’s cultural, emotional, and steeped in legacy. Whether it’s a glowing complexion in Seoul, a crimson lip in Paris, or a braided crown in Mexico City, each practice tells a story worth hearing. In a world that increasingly embraces diversity, celebrating and learning from these traditions allows us to see beauty not just as something worn but as something lived.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information

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