Whether you're a disco glitter fanatic or more of an understated eyeliner wallflower, we've got all your New Year's Eve party make-up inspiration right here.
Now that December is well and truly passing us by, our once party filled calendars are beginning to come to a close. Yes, the festive season is nearly over (!), but there is just one last social obligation left to attend: New Year's Eve.
Party season has been a drag financially and mentally but it does mean we finally get the chance to play with the bold and glittery palettes that spend most of their time sitting untouched at the back of our beauty drawers. An evening event is an excuse to go wild with experimental glam (not that you really need one), and if you're the type of person whose usual makeup M.O. is more on the no-makeup makeup spectrum, New Year's Eve provides the perfect opportunity to test sparkly shadow, bold lipstick, or some combination of the two. Just call it a friendly competition with the festive decor.
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From crystal-encrusted lids to smudgy sunset tones, metallic washes to thick graphic flicks, it actually doesn’t matter what finery you’re clad in from the neck down, because everyone will be focused on your beautiful face.
Keep scrolling for our edit of the best New Year's makeup looks to copy this season.
BOLD RED LIP
The holidays call for a festive red lipstick along with light and neutral eyes. Go brighter and bolder with a super-pigmented red like Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in shade Uncensored. With so much focus on your lips, dust your favourite soft tones across your lid to complete the look.
SMUDGED Wings
While a dark eye makeup look may seem like the opposite of holiday-chic, this smudged black wingtip makeup idea will make you think twice. It keeps the moody hue confined to a sleek triangle on each lid while leaving the rest of the complexion dewy and radiant. The trick is to find a liquid eyeliner that won't smudge throughout the festivities. Our favourite is Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner in Trooper.
YELLOW SPARKLE
People cannot get over how gorgeous this sparkly eye look is on Instagram—and neither can we. The ever-so-talented Patrick Ta creates the dreamiest makeup looks, and this shimmery iridescent yellow eye makeup idea paired with sleek black liner (as shown on Gigi Hadid) is equally as aesthetically astounding as his glam skills. To copy the look, layer your lids with an ultra-fine glitter shadow, like the shade Dwollahs found in the Jackie Aina X Anastasia Beverly Hills palette.
ICEY BLUE LIDS
Blue lids have proven to be a go-to makeup look in recent years. Luckily for us, the pale cool colour works perfectly for the holidays—just say it's your take on the white Christmas-happy Hannukkah-let it snow vibe. To create this exact look, use Katie Jane Hughes' product recs: Stila Suede Shade Liquid Eyeshadow in Something Blue lined with Shiseido Kajal InkArtist Shadow, Liner, Brow in Gunjo Blue.
inner glow
Bella Hadid truly looks like a piece of art. When talking about holiday makeup, it’s not right if a little glow isn’t involved. Makeup trends are fleeting, but a glowy complexion will always be on-trend—and, highlighter should be your secret weapon of choice for faking that ethereal, lit-from-within glow. Shine just as bright using the Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in shade Champagne Pop
euphoria
Plenty of shows set the tone for what fashion trends everyone wants to be wearing—Gossip Girl and Succession are two that come to mind—but few have become so celebrated for their mastery of makeup that it inspires a whole new genre. That's exactly what HBO's Euphoria did this year with its inventive use of glitter and artful takes on eyeliner. Instantly "Euphoria makeup" was all anyone could talk about. But as much as we'd love for cloud eyeliner or glitter tears to be part of our day-to-day, they're not really the most practical—unless, of course, you're talking about Christmas. Create your very own crystal-encrusted lid using gems from Gypsy Shrine.
GLITTER UNDER LID
For an updated twist on the usual glitzy eye makeup that tends to run rampant on the party circuit, steal a page from Lucy Boynton's beauty book and scatter a glitter pigment under your eyes, extending it well beyond the outer corners. Keep the rest of your look minimal — she donned pink blush and a matching lip tint — to really make the sparkle stand out. To try the look for yourself, dip into one of Anastasia Beverly Hills' loose glitter, which come in every colour you could possibly want.
va-va-voom lashes
Going full glam during the holidays is only to be expected. Best of all, it doesn't take much to do so. Simply apply your regular base makeup and pair your favourite bright red lipstick with a set of fluttery lashes from Kiss Lashes and you're good to go.
STARS IN MY EYES
For those of you who want to outshine your Christmas tree this party season, bring the usual smoky brown eye up 1,000 notches with some starry details. Samantha Lau paired her blinged-out lids with a matte plum lip. Our favourite is MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in shade High Drama.
Main image by @freshlengths on Instagram
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