Best holiday lipstick shades

The holidays are all about giving, right? So why not give your look a little something extra by spicing up the best accessory ever—your smile. Lipstick is a great way to show off those pearly whites and add sass to any style. With so many options, it can be a daunting task. Lucky for you, there’s an easy way to know which shades will rock the socks off Aunt Lou at your holiday soirée and that ex-boyfriend you (plan to) accidentally run into. Here’s the 411 on what’s hot in luxury lip wear this season.

1. Oxblood red.

Deep reds are all over the runways and the streets right now. Adding an ox blood shade to your make-up collection is the perfect way to give a trendy edge to an otherwise classic look. Afghan Red by NARS is the perfect bold color for those of you looking to add a little drama (only the good kind, of course) to your holiday celebration.

2. Matte shades.

Though a glassy lip is gorgeous, it isn’t always practical. Constantly reapplying your gloss to keep that sheen can be a real buzz kill. Matte shades, though, are much easier to maintain and definitely on trend this winter. Nylon by Smashbox is a rich, yet understated, nude shade that can take you from brunch at grandma’s to bar hopping with the ladies.

3. Classic cherry.

You can’t go wrong with a classic, cherry red lip. The perfect color for almost any occasion, it can be lax or lavish—whatever tickles your fancy. The best way to achieve a rich red, though, isn’t always a lipstick. A creamy red liner can deliver the same pop of color with a lot less hassle. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl is a great way to get that old Hollywood glam without the grief.

Turkey be damned, you’ll be the one making mouths water this Christmas when you slip on any of these three luscious shades. Whether you go for trendy, demure, or classic—you can’t go wrong when you add a little lipstick lovin’ to your holiday look!