Makeup

Choosing Your Eye Makeup for New Year’s Eve

posted on December 30, 2014 | by Amanda Holstein

For the most part, we all like to go bold for New Year’s. A glittery dress, statement shoes, and dramatic eye makeup are always on the list, but how do you put all of these intense styles together without looking overdone? Choosing the right eye makeup for your look, and applying it without going overboard, is key to creating a perfectly festive New Year’s Eve outfit.

If you’re wearing metallics…

Assuming a gold sequin dress, or something along those lines, is in your NYE repertoire, I suggest a charcoal eyeshadow. Rather than going overboard on the glitter, stick to dark, matte colors with just a hint of sheen. It’ll keep the focus on your dress but still make your eyes pop and ready to party. This Kat Von D palette is key for mastering this look.

1. Start with a neutral cream base and apply it to your entire lid, all the way up to your brow bone.

2. Add a dark, matte charcoal to your lid, just to the crease. Layer the color on until it’s dark enough.

3. Use a slightly shimmery, dark silver in the crease, blending the charcoal shadow upwards.

4. Line the upper lashes with a black liquid liner.

5. Add a highlight color (like a very light silver/white) to the inner corners or your eyes and the brow bone, and of course mascara.

Finish with a nude lip and peachy cheeks!

If you’re wearing black or white…

If you’re going classic in black, or classic-with-a-twist in white, I suggest adding some color to your look with your eye makeup. Blues and greens are always a favorite, so I decided to use this gorgeous palette from bareMinerals. I’d also recommend a purple palette, especially for green or hazel eyes. Adding color will really make your eyes pop against your neutral outfit.

1. Start with a neutral cream base and apply it to your entire lid, all the way up to your brow bone.

2. Add a greenish-gold to your entire lid, just above your crease.

3. Apply a bright blue to the outer corner of your lid and blend inwards. Blend towards your upper lash line as well.

4. Add a deep navy eyeliner to your upper lash line and just the outer corners of your bottom lash line.

5. Use a light highlighter color, with a slight blue, green or gold tint, to your inner corners and brow bone. Blend the crease up into the brow bone. Then swipe on that mascara.

Finish with pale pink lips and cheeks to continue bringing in some color.

If you’re wearing color…

If you’ve chosen a bright color instead of classic New Year’s Eve hues, keep your makeup on the neutral side with golds and bronzes. The shimmer will still be festive, but won’t distract from your colorful outfit. If you’re look is on the simple side (like a solid color rather than a print), you can even add a fun lip color.

1. Start with a neutral cream base and apply it to your entire lid, all the way up to your brow bone.

2. Cover the lid in a shimmery bronze color, just above the crease.

3. Add a deep brown just to the outer corners to create some depth. Blend well.

4. Add a light, shimmery gold to your inner corners and brow bone. Blend the shadow from your lid up into the highlight on your brown bone.

5. Apply dark brown or black eyeliner to the upper lid. Use some of the bronze shimmer and apply it under your bottom lash line. Add a couple layers of mascara.

Finish with peachy cheeks. Since this dress is on the simple side, I added a festive deep red lip color.

Think you’re ready to get dolled up for New Year’s Eve? Let me know if you have any questions about new years eve makeup below!

Shop The Post