Balaclava Baddies - A Frostbit Knit Beauty Story
Photography by MERDE Beauty Editor Malorie Shmyr
MERDE’s “Balaclava Baddies” is a frostbitten beauty story where knitwear meets spunky glam. Featuring six distinct global beauty and knitwear brands, we invited Berlin-based makeup artists to craft bold, unexpected looks that complement the balaclava, turning a practical winter staple into a statement of silliness. The result is a collision of icey air, electric color, tangled textures and faces that flare against the cold, daring the frost to catch them.
Photo Assistant: Winston Sussens
Retouching: Alina Filipenko
Chanel Beauty X Calle Del Mar
Makeup By Chanel Makeup Ambassador, Daniela Uribe Pérez
Model: Suse Eder
A Quick Word with Daniela On The Look:
Why should other makeup artists think of using Chanel makeup not only for a classic beauty look, but also for a creative look?
“Chanel has always been driven by authenticity, and in a very distinct way, by a spirit of rebellion and disruption. Beyond its iconic products, the House releases limited-edition collections throughout the year, inspired by different seasons and cultural moments, always aligned with the latest trends in color and finish—while staying true to its core identity. As an artist, I’m constantly searching for my own voice, and the combination of all these elements offers endless inspiration.”
Tell us what inspired you to create this look?
“Seeing the beige base created by her skin tone, hair, and balaclava, I wanted the makeup to make an immediate impact. I chose pink, my favorite color, and decided to go bold with a geometric design: the iconic double C.”
Products Used - Ombre Essentielle 228 "Rose Charnel." LES BEIGES Palette "Warm," LES BEIGES HEALTHY WINTER GLOW BLUSH "Rose Polaire," JOUES CONTRASTE INTENSE "Grenat Profond," LE CRAYON À LÈVRES 158 "Rose Naturel, "LES BEIGES TOUCHE DE TEINT B10
MAC Cosmetics X Solène Lescouët
Makeup & Nails By Darja Crainiucenco
Model: Michelle Pappert with IZAIO Management
A Quick Word with Darja On The Look:
If you’re feeling naughty over the holiday’s, creating a bold makeup look to alarm your conservative mother in law is a good choice to subtly rebel. What tips can you give us to create a bold moment with our lashes?
“Don’t be scared to cut the false lashes and just use as single pieces. I’d suggest the Mac Lash/7 and use them as little spikes on the outer corner of the eye to achieve a bold look, or even place a smaller piece on the middle bottom lash!”
How did you create this look? Tell us!
“I’ve used the lip liner burgundy and lined the lips really sharp . With the 219 brush I blended it toward the center of the lips to create a ombré effect. With the brush 239 I’ve dabbed the lipstick “STYLE SHOKED!” in the center of the lips and blended it into the liner with the same brush. Then I topped it all with the lipglass air in the color FROZEN . And done , you have a bold lip for the Holidays!
These nails!... What inspired you?
“Good question, I used the balaclava (Solène Lescouët) as a big inspiration with the clean black and white lines and spikes which I brought directly into the nails. Then to tie the makeup look together with the nails I created these 3D orange / red bubble moments to compliment the juicy lips. As you can see the balaclava and make up look are really bold and edgy, so why not make the nails extra extra long to underline the look and make it all one picture & feel whole.”
Other Products Used: Skin : Strobe creams, Studio Radiance Foundation , Studio Radiance 24hr Luminous Lift concealer, Mineralize Skin Finish powder, Powder Blush - “Frankly Scarlet.” Eyes: Paintbot - “Sink to a Whisper.” Eyeshadow - Gesso, Color Excess Gel Pencil Liner - “Glide or Die.” Lashes 7 Free Spirit & Stack Elevated mascara - “Benin Stack.”
A Quick Word with Basil On The Look:
Why should we wear a glowing and shimmering look over the holiday season?
“Next to the flashing xmas decorations, you will be a true eye catcher!”
Why should men rock a makeup look!
“A little sparkle never hurt nobody. I love subtle makeup on men, whether it’s just a shimmery lid or the skin that is sparkly - it will give you an interesting edge because it‘s unexpected.”
How should I best wear the Fenty Diamond Bomb?
“I love to use the Diamond Bomb as a topper . You can use it on the lids with more pay off or just lightly dust it all over your face for that diamond skin look.”
Fenty Products used - Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil - Lavendar Luv’r, Glass Bomb Stix lipgloss in “How Many Carats,” Bubbleband$ - Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush, Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara- Let’s be Blunt Brown, Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush 120, Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush - Pinky Promise
A Quick Word with Liset On The Look:
These lips are giving wearable drama, why does everyone need to go out now and get some Huda in their lives?
“What I love about the Faux Filler Lip Gloss is the finish — it delivers that mirror-like shine that instantly makes the lips look fuller, but without the weight or stickiness you usually get with a high shine lip gloss. The texture is incredibly lightweight, and it's comfortable enough to wear all day.”
This blush look is the perfect holiday party look, why should people be unafraid to rock this bold blush moment?
“When you wear this draping blush look, it gives that soft, sculpted, almost editorial flush that feels modern but still feels classic. The technique ‘draping’ is a style where the eyeshadow and blush are blended into one another to create a seamless wash of color across the eyes, temples, and cheeks. I want people to feel like they can totally pull off this kind of color at their own holiday events. Go big and have fun with your makeup.”
Huda Beauty Products Used: Huda Blush Filter Blurring Blushlighters Palette - ‘Baby Pink,’ Lip Color Stain ‘Cherry Red,” Jelly Oil in ‘Pink Lady’
A Quick Word with Larissa On The Look:
Over this festive season, how and why should someone add a little star moment to their makeup?
“We freely invest in the trees, lights and holiday decor but as Makeup Artist, I see that one small tweak in your daily routine can brighten up your whole mood. I highly recommend to step out of your beauty comfort zone and try new looks and products in these festive months. It’s the perfect time to play.”
We love natural cosmetics that offer so many vegan makeup options, what was your favourite product from Und Getel that you used to create this look?
“My favorite product of this Und Gretel look was Vlitter - Natural Face and Body Glow, because I love multi use products. I mixed Vlitter into the skincare and also used it as a cream highlighter on the cheeks. I even mixed it into body lotion for a natural glow on the neck and arms.”
Tell us what inspired you to create this look.
“I tried to carry a hint of the cosmos - a calm kind of intensity and I think the stars did exactly that.”
Und Gretel Products used: Skin: Vlitter - ‘Cool Moon.’ Stars: Vegan Eyeshadow - ‘Pine 8’ and ‘Ice Blue,’ Cream Color Pot - ‘Very Berry’ and ‘Cherry on Top’, Cheeks - ‘Wonne Blush 02’ and ‘Vlitter Cool Moon.’ Lips - Vegan Lip Oil - ‘Cotton Candy.’
Tom Ford Beauty x AMBA AMBA
Makeup by Liset Garza
Model: Egshig Enkhbold @egshg.e with IZAIO Management
A Quick Word with Liset On The Look:
Why do you like using Tom Ford Lipstick?
“I love using Tom Ford lipstick because it just gives that full-on luxury moment. The texture is insanely silky — it melts onto your lips like butter, but still feels rich and plush.'“
Why is a blue lid and a red lip the perfect holiday look?
“The blue brings a cool, sculpted elegance that catches the light like satin, while the red lip delivers that deep, iconic glamour our grandmothers knew was unbeatable. It’s a little rebellious, a little classic, and completely transformative. We shouldn’t be afraid to wear a blue eye and red lip during the holiday season.”
Tell me about this blue eye, how can we re-create this Tom Ford - blue eye Look?
“When I first saw the color palette of Tom Ford’s Runway Eye Quad - ‘Day Dream,’ it instantly reminded me of 80’s glam, so I leaned into that era’s energy and created something that feels nostalgic but still fresh and modern on the eye. To create this blue eye, I started by sketching my shape with a blue eye pencil to get that clean lift and structure. Then I layered the deep navy shade from the palette right over top to lock in the intensity. I blended the lighter lavender-blue through the crease to soften the edges without losing the graphic effect, and tapped the icy lilac on the inner corner to brighten everything under the lights. Keeping the lower lash line bare makes the whole look feel fresh, modern, and a little editorial.”
Tom Ford Products used: Eyeshadow Quad 28 Day Dream,’ Runway Eyeliner in ‘Cobalt.’ Lip Color in ‘Scarlet Rouge.’
Special Thanks: Faxion PR, Metis PR, CS PR, and We Love PR