New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to elevate your make-up to A-list levels – after all, nothing marks a celebration like feeling red carpet-worthy. However, you needn’t veer too far from your comfort zone. “This is not the time to go experimental on the day,” says Ruby Hammer, the renowned make-up artist and founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty. “You want to opt for something that you know works for you, whether that’s smoky eyes, red lips or shimmer. You can have a nod to your outfit but most important is feeling comfortable and confident.”
The expert also has some advice for ensuring your party make-up is picture-perfect. “When adding shimmer be careful,” she warns. “Be aware that when the light catches it, it will reflect – so if you have applied it liberally all over you may look more like a disco ball than fresh and glowy.” Try applying any glitter eyeshadow while still wearing skincare under-eye masks, which will not only quench and tighten your skin but catch any fall-out from your make-up. Complexion-wise: “a light bit of translucent powder is a great tool to mattify, as a contrast to where you have applied the shine,” Hammer adds.
Whether you’re feeling a bold look with bright eyes or something more subdued with a neutral palette, we have you covered with our list of six inspiring ideas to try.
1/ Embrace elegance with warm chocolate tones
There’s no denying that browns and nudes epitomise elegance. This make- up palette accentuates your natural beauty while adding a touch of warmth. Create a soft, sophisticated eye using a warm chocolate eyeshadow as a base with a touch of shimmer in the middle of the eyelids. Or, add a hint of intensity with a slightly darker shade in the crease if you’re after a more subtly sensual look. Complete the make-up with a nude lipstick and a hint of gloss for timeless appeal as you ring in 2024.
2/ Radiate feminine charm with pops of pink
This year belonged to pink – a colour that exudes nothing but charm. Embrace the playful and romantic vibes of an occasion like NYE by dipping into your make-up bag for a soft-pink eyeshadow. Add glimmer to your eyelids to catch the festive lights and complement it with a rosy blush for a youthful glow. Finish off the look with a pink lip gloss to radiate further.
3/ Go bold with modern smoky eyes
A smoky eye never fails to captivate, and it’s a perfect choice for a winter party. Start by using a primer to create a smooth base, then apply eyeshadow to the outer corners of your eyes, blending inwards to create a gradient effect. Choose a palette of charcoal and deep browns to create depth and intensity. Be sure to add a bold winged eyeliner and volumising mascara to enhance the allure.
4/ Make a statement with block colours
Inject a burst of vibrancy and excitement into your New Year’s Eve with colourful eyeshadows. Experiment with jewel tones like emerald green, rose quartz, sapphire blue, citrine yellow or amethyst purple. Let your creativity shine as you blend different shades to create a multidimensional look – and don’t forget to add a touch of something iridescent for added glamour. Balance the boldness with a neutral lip colour to strike a chic finish.
5/ Dazzle and shine with silver metallic hues
New Year’s Eve is the ideal occasion to embrace metallic make-up, and this year we’re feeling inspired by Gigi Hadid, who recently stepped out with shimmering, silver eyes complete with black winged liner. To achieve it yourself, prep your lids with a primer, then apply a metallic silver eyeshadow focusing on the inner corners to draw attention to your eyes. Elevate the look even further by adding more metallic detail to your eyelids, whether it’s a faint glitter or a touch of metallic foil; this extra dimension will make your eyes stand out and sparkle.
6/ Ooze effortless sophistication with natural make-up
For a more subtle option, opt for something that appears more natural. Stick to neutral tones for your eyeshadow, blush and lipstick, and focus on uplifting your features with a grown-up glow. Complete the look with a slick of mascara in lieu of any liner.