With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, discover our favourite – and most importantly easy – celebration makeup looks for all your parties this year.
From perfecting the classic red lip to achieving a flattering lit-from-within glow (that lasts throughout the night), let these expert-backed tips, tutorials and inspiration guide your makeup needs – whether you are heading to a big party or a smaller affair this year.
1. The Bold Red Lip
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The red lip is a classic for a reason – it makes a statement, can elevate your outfit in a single swipe, and, if you choose the right shade for your skin tone, it will lift and warm your complexion too. Discover our guide to finding your colour here. Then, to achieve the pin-point precision that is the focus for lips this season, follow the advice of the national senior makeup artist UK and Ireland for Nars, Becky Moore.
“You actually want to apply your lip liner after your lipstick not before, as this provides the sharp finish you need. Use a really opaque liquid lipstick, such as the Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in Light My Fire, as that will provide the one-swipe payoff that you want. Then, use your lip liner to define the edges, especially your cupid’s bow. Another mistake people tend to make is touching up with concealer. It’s actually better to use foundation; concealers tend to be lighter in colour and thicker, which can make them more noticeable around the lip area.”
2. Grown-Up Glitter
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As the days get colder, you may have noticed an influx of cosy outfits and blankets hitting the shelves – with warm beige and brown tones taking centre stage as mocha mousse becomes the colour of the season. Get ready for the same colours to be the shades of choice for makeup in 2025 – as neutral makeup replaces ‘no makeup makeup’. Stay ahead of the trend, while making festive glittery makeup feel a little more grown-up, by combining the two in a really pigmented metallic eyeshadow. Apply with a damp brush or choose a creamy texture – as you want the sparkle to be very dense on your eyelid (and up to your brow bone), so that it makes an impact but seems to blend seamlessly. To make it even more reflective, prep your eyelids with an eye cream for a light-reflecting glimmer. Team with lashings of mascara.
3. The Cat-Eye Wing
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We promise winged liner isn’t as impossible to get right as its reputation suggests. The main secret is to choose a high-shine liquid liner with a very thin, non-feathered tip, as the gloss helps reflect the light, making your eyes look lifted. Confidence is also key, as it’s often better to apply your flicks quickly; a slow and steady approach tends to lead to wiggles. Take makeup artist Yasmin Salmon‘s graphic look as your inspiration, and don’t worry if it takes you a few attempts. After all, the new way to wear liner for Christmas and beyond is with a bare face (or minimal makeup if that thought scares you). That means you don’t have to spend lots of time perfecting the rest of your look.
4. Skin Glow
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The trick for faking your way to a really natural-looking skin glow is not to run straight towards a silvery, cool-toned highlighter; that’s what can sometimes lead to a faux glitter-ball shimmer. Instead, look to skin-lifting blush tones that have a subtle pearlescent gleam, as demonstrated in the inspiration above.
The same is actually true for blending away any blemishes or areas of discolouration (including bruises on your legs to help you feel more confident in that New Year’s Eve mini dress). Covering an imperfection with a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone will ‘hide it’, but you’ll get a warmer, more natural and flattering finish by then blending with your normal toned concealer and a setting powder. Another makeup artist trick is to add some sheer warmth to your base by mixing a little bronzer (liquid or cream is best) with your moisturiser.
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Lead image credit: Net-a-Porter
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