26 New Year’s Makeup Ideas to Sparkle Your Way into the New Year
Updated: Sep. 05, 2023
Start 2024 on the right note with one of these gorgeous New Year’s makeup looks that will take your party style to the next level.
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New Year’s Eve is arguably the biggest party of the year, full of lucky foods and good friends, and it’s the perfect night to add some sparkle and shine to your look. New Year’s makeup can be as fun as you want it to be, and you may as well go bold! Complete your look with glamorous New Year’s nails and all eyes will be on you.
Of course, the look you choose will depend on the type of New Year’s party you’re attending (or throwing), as well as on personal preference. Whatever you decide, though, you’ll want to make sure your makeup doesn’t budge. Celebrity makeup artist Kris Jung says the best way to keep your look intact all night is to prep your skin properly. “Makeup doesn’t sit well on dry skin,” she explains, which is why she starts with a nourishing oil primer by Lilah B. and finishes with Ilia Beauty’s priming serum to seal in the moisture before getting started.
Opting for longwear formulas can be helpful, too, says New York City makeup artist Suzy Gerstein, especially when it comes to eyeliner. She also suggests using blotting papers throughout the night, like these from Tatcha, then applying another thin layer once you’ve removed the surface oil. “This works for everything from under-eye concealer to lipstick,” she notes.
With those expert tips in mind, it’s time to choose your favorite New Year’s makeup look. We’ve made it easy for you with a wide range of options, as well as products you can use to achieve each one. If your New Year’s resolutions include simplifying your life and having a little more fun, you’ll be well on your way to reaching those goals before the clock strikes midnight and you lean in for that New Year’s kiss!
Colorful creation
This look blends a multitude of colors into one fun eye shadow creation before topping it all off with a swipe of shimmery gold in the crease. Thick winged eyeliner and lush lashes add to the drama.
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Pretty in pink
Go all out with a bold pink eye shadow look that will shimmer and shine all night. It will be even more fun if it matches your New Year’s Eve outfit. If you don’t have one yet, check out these classic dresses that you’ll wear again and again.
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Soft glam
This New Year’s makeup look uses one soft, shimmery shade on the eyelid and another below the eye for a simple yet stunning effect. Pair it with a rosy blush and an understated lip, and you’ll look like you’re glowing from within.
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Lashes for days
Your glittering eye shadow isn’t complete unless it’s framed by super long lashes. (If you’re not into false lashes, these top-rated mascaras can work some serious magic.) This bold gold look delivers both flawlessly and will perfectly complement a simple or sparkly New Year’s Eve outfit.
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Starry-eyed
Shiny star stickers are extra in all the right ways. Keep the rest of your makeup slightly subdued so the stars will be, well, the stars of the show. And don’t worry—a little glitter glue will keep them in place for the long haul.
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Seeing red
You’ll definitely want to go somewhere fun to watch the ball drop if you’re sporting this look. Here, bold red eye shadow is topped with a silver stripe to take it from a pretty day look to a daring evening look. And if there was ever a time to wear impossibly long lashes, this is it!
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Golden goddess
Beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira used the Kylie Cosmetics 24K Birthday Collection to create this stunning golden look. It’s all about the eyes, with bold gold eye shadow and dramatic winged liner, and the glossy lips pull everything together.
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Subtle shine
The shimmery shine in this fun look is a little more on the subtle side for those who don’t want to be too outlandish during a night out (lest they become a New Year’s meme!). The pops of color on the inner corners of the eyes add just enough vibrance.
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Glittering galaxy
Deep tones paired with an ethereal purple in this eye shadow selection make the whole look feel out of this world. The shimmer in the colors really pops and brings everything together.
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Go green
Pretty eye shadow can highlight your eyes and add some flair to your New Year’s Eve makeup in the best way. Go with a bold shade like this one if you’re wearing a solid black outfit.
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Red hot
Everything about this New Year’s makeup look just screams red! From the eye shadow to the lipstick and even the little rhinestones, this highly coordinated look is bold and unforgettable. When you post this look and all of your other photos from the big night, use one of these New Year’s captions to say just the right thing.
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Party perfect
It will take you no time at all to put together this party look. Just swipe shimmery shadow all over your lids and you’re all set.
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Dewy dream
The shine in your look doesn’t have to come from your eyes or lips—highlights can work wonders, too. Makeup artist Suzy Gerstein goes for an all-over dewy finish, adding a subtle, beautiful highlight on the inner eyes and cheekbones. Her trick for longwear makeup on a party night, she says, is layering your makeup properly so each layer can set and add to the color payoff. Start with a base layer of foundation and/or powder and gradually add blush, highlight, and eye color.
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Shimmer and shine
It’s impossible to have too much glitz and glitter on New Year’s Eve! Here, shimmery eyelids are topped off with rhinestones and pearls for even more impact.
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All-out glam
If you’re going to a party that’s sure to be over-the-top, you need a look to match. This makeup goes all out with the glitter, not to mention red shadow and extra long lashes, and you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd.
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Raining stars
This New Year’s Eve makeup look is truly a work of art. You could do any shape of glitter, but the stars are particularly lovely, and the under-eye cascade creates a super cool effect. This star-studded idea might also inspire some stunning New Year’s decorations.
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Pretty polka dots
Celebrity makeup artist Kris Jung adds the perfect amount of pop with confetti dots. You can do the same with any confetti that you like and add as much or as little as suits your overall aesthetic. She suggests sealing the whole look with a setting spray that locks everything in place.
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Glitter eyeliner
Get a head start on that New Year’s resolution to simplify your life in 2024 by sporting this glitter-eyeliner look, which is super easy to pull off yet still showstopping. All you have to do is lay down a base of eyeliner, then apply chunky glitter over it to make it stand out.
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Pops of purple
This dramatic and moody look adds just a hint of purple under the eyes in the form of rhinestones. It complements the rest of the eye shadow while adding some visual interest that will make your fellow partygoers do a double-take.
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Holy highlights
Really lean into the highlighter you have hiding in your makeup bag on your night out. Add strong swipes of brightness to all the spots the light hits your face, including the tops of your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and your Cupid’s bow.
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Glitter adorned
You can use any combination of eye shadows and cover them in glitter for this modern look. If other shades match your style better, go for it.
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Icy shine
New Year’s Eve is in the middle of winter, so why not go with an icy look? Opt for light shades and a stark white glitter. Gray ombré, by the way, is one of the hottest hair color trends right now, so if you really want to make a statement, you can try that, too!
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Confetti crush
Why do a boring cut crease when you can do a glitter cut crease for your New Year’s makeup? Simply do your eye shadow as you please and then apply glitter right in your crease.
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Got the blues
This gorgeous two-toned look uses blue and silver, but you could mix it up with other shades. Just opt for shimmery shadows for ultimate shine.
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Pink wings
The extreme wing on this eyeliner is only made more fun with the added glitter. You can play it up with whatever shade you like, but the pink is especially fun and unexpected.
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Inner glow
The glowing inner eyes of this look, which can be created with a light shadow or even highlighter, will really pop on a dark New Year’s Eve night. Complete the look with bright eye shadows of your choice on the lids. Keeping things low-key this year? Try a subtle version of this look while watching the best New Year’s Eve movies with your significant other or friends. After all, just because you’re staying home, it doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous!
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Sources:
- Kris Jung, celebrity makeup artist
- Suzy Gerstein, New York City–based makeup artist
