New Years Eve – The only time of year that wearing bold, sparkly eyes and a statement lip won’t get you stared at like you’ve just come from a circus show. It’s actually ridiculous how excited I am about doing my makeup for the big night – I’ve had it planned for weeks! Usually I wear neutral eyes and a nude lip, but I’m going all out this year. Sparkly dress and heels essential.
Base
Primer is necessary if you want your makeup to last until midnight and beyond, Benefit Porefessional is my favourite for creating a smooth, even canvas for your foundation. For every big night out I always use MAC Strobe Cream on top of my primer to add moisture and a glow to the skin. As for foundation, you really can’t go wrong with MAC Studio Fix. It gives really good coverage, without being cakey, and has great lasting power (especially with a primer). For the blemishes and redness that foundation just won’t cover, I use MAC Studio Finish concealer.
Contour, highlight & blush
Cream contouring is pretty hard to pull off during the day, so I always save it for nights out. The Crownbrush UK Contour Palette has a shade to suit every skin tone. Pick a colour that’s two shades lighter than your skin to highlight under the eyes and along the forehead, and pick another that’s two shades darker than your skin tone to contour under the cheekbones, along the temples and down the bridge of your nose if desired. NARS Orgasm blush has a slight bit of shimmer in it which gives a gorgeous glow to the cheeks. To really fake killer cheekbones, sweep a bit of MAC Harmony over where you’ve contoured. Glowy skin is essential, and MAC Soft and Gentle gives a glow like no other. Dust over the top of your cheekbones, Cupid’s bow and under the brow bone. A light dusting of MAC Mineralise Skin Finish in Natural will seal everything in place and keep unwanted shine at bay.
Eyes
As with every other part to this makeup look, you want your eye makeup to last. I got a sample of Urban Decay Primer Potion with one of the Naked Palettes and it works perfectly. This New Year’s I’m going to go for a totally dark, smoky eye. MAC Cool Neutrals Palette has every shade you need to create a black smoky eye, but the Naked Palette has everything you need too. I’ll start with a neutral colour on the lid, then build up the darkness in the crease and the outer-V as I go along. To add some shimmer (of course), I’ll add a dab of MAC Melon Pigment on the centre of the lid. I’ll then build up the smokiness again under the eye for the full effect. I recently picked up Tanya Burr Date Night Lashes, and will definitely be using them on New Year’s Eve, after curling and prepping my lashes with the Charlotte Tilbury Eyelash Curler. Anastasia Brow Wiz, as usual, will be my brow saviour.
Lips
The power of lip liner has really emerged recently, with Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob being my favourite for full, Kylie Jenner lips. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Stoned Rose is a gorgeous dark nude that will have everyone asking if you’ve gotten lip fillers (and will last if you’re lucky enough to get a kiss at midnight!)
Aaaaand breathe! While that seems like a lot of makeup to apply, I think it’s really fun to sit down and take your time doing your makeup, especially for an event like New Year’s Eve!
I’ll post a picture on my Instagram of my hair, makeup and outfit so keep an eye out @whatshedoesnow.
What are your plans for New Year’s?