Post-work plans with friends, intimate dinners with family and late-night dancing sessions, all bookended by lots of selfies—the festive season is the perfect excuse to experiment with beauty and go maximalist with the makeup. Think shimmering gold lids, statement lips, a bit of 'blush blindness' and plenty of highlighter to light up a room.
But swapping your usual BB cream for a 10-step makeup routine shouldn't make a big dent in your wallet. The right beauty products deliver colour payoff, staying power and lasting finish without a hefty price tag. We've rounded up seven makeup finds to complete your festive looks, each one under ₹999. Consider this your shopping list, and RSVP yes to every invite.
This eyeshadow stick is a versatile addition to your festive makeup bag. The long-lasting, creamy formula glides on smoothly and is transfer-proof, and the practical design of the stick makes it just right for any last-minute touch-ups before a night of twirling. The best part? It is infused with argon oil which nourishes the skin on the eyelids.
If you love a soft, diffused flush that doesn’t slide around, this lightweight liquid-mousse formula is a strong contender. It blends effortlessly and sets down fast, making it ideal for heat, movement and long hours of wear. Mukuchyan points out that blushes which dry to a matte or soft-matte finish are “far less likely to fade or transfer”, which makes this one particularly reliable for celebrations that stretch well into the night.
Fae Beauty is known for products that deliver dramatic colour, their Lip Whip range of liquid lipsticks being one example. Their serum-like blushes also deliver the same colour payoff, with Wifey being a universally flattering beetroot pink perfect for people with warm undertones. The formula is creamy and featherlight; it sinks into the skin seamlessly and gives a natural-looking flush. The mix is infused with skin-loving ingredients like hibiscus, magnolia and chamomile extracts, which nourish and soothe the skin. The pigment can be blended into a soft tint or layered for a bold pop. With eight hours of wear, the blush can last all night.
A luxe kajal that glides on like butter and also stays put? Sign us up. Infused with rose and made with traditional Ayurvedic ingredients like pure cow ghee, this also conditions your lash line. The deep black finish is the chef’s kiss; and it doesn’t migrate or smudge throughout the day.
Traditional Indian looks are incomplete without a swipe of kajal, and this Charcoal Black pencil adds serious definition to the eyes. Forest Essentials is known for creating modern formulas that are rooted in the ancient science of Ayurveda; their makeup also follows the same philosophy. This kajal is made with cow's ghee and rose petals, which help soothe and relieve eye strain; perfect for late-night plans after a long day at work. The ingredient list also includes cardamom, coconut oil, castor oil and sweet almond oil.
Whether you are going for a dramatic cat-eye liner or a subtle swipe to accentuate your eyes, this eyeliner pen delivers intense colour while being ergonomic. The long-lasting formula stays for up to 24 hours, so minimal touch-ups are necessary. The fine-tip applicator also makes experimenting with bolder, more expressive makeup easy. A must-have in your festive makeup bag, it can also be used to fill in your eyebrows in a rush.
If fuller-looking lashes are on your festive makeup checklist, this mascara is worth trying. Its inflator comb brush coats the lashes evenly, adding volume while creating a lifted, fanned-out effect. The Very Black shade adds definition to the eyes, whether you're keeping your makeup minimal or going all out for a celebration. It's an easy way to make your lashes stand out without having to do much else with your eye makeup.
This is a high-coverage, long-wearing lipstick that goes the distance—up to 16 hours to be exact. It applies evenly in one swipe, sets quickly and stays put without smudging, bleeding or fading through the day. What makes it more comfortable than other long-wear formulas is the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, which helps maintain hydration without compromising the matte finish. If you’re after low-maintenance, full-impact colour that won’t flake by lunchtime, this one’s worth considering.
While festive makeup looks are all about extravagance, a makeup look that is composed of too many competing elements can look overcrowded. That's why every festive beauty bag needs one trusted nude lipstick to balance a dramatic smokey eye or multiple layers of blush. The Worth It Medium shade is a long-wear liquid lipstick that complements all Indian skin tones. A matte option, it is loaded with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the lips without drying them out. The lightweight formula, the plushy applicator and the rich colour make it a festive season must-have.
A lip glaze sits somewhere between a lip oil and a lip gloss. It is intensely softening and delivers shine, without being sticky. This eye-catching Pink Champagne shade has an overall shine and tiny glitter particles too. Wear it on its own, layer it over lipstick or wear it in a gradient with a lip liner. The formula, coupled with the XL wand, gives the effect of fuller, more plump lips effortlessly. Infused with collagen, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, it also has a sweet coconut and vanilla scent.

