New Year's Eve Makeup: 7 Party Looks That Last Until Midnight

New Year's Eve is the one night when more is usually better: more shimmer, a bolder lip, a liner you would never wear to the office. The catch is that the makeup has to survive hours of talking, dancing, eating and a midnight toast. These seven party looks range from easy to dramatic, and each one comes with practical notes on how to apply it and keep it in place until the clock strikes twelve.

Before You Start: Prep That Helps Makeup Last

Long-wearing makeup starts with skin that is clean and comfortable. Wash your face, then use a moisturizer that sinks in fully before you reach for foundation.

Primer is optional, but eyeshadow primer is the step that most often decides whether glitter and shimmer stay put or end up on your cheeks by 10 p.m.

If you plan to try a product you have never used before, test it on a small patch of skin, such as the inner arm, a day or two ahead. A party night is not the time to find out a new foundation or lash glue irritates your skin.

1. Gold Glitter Lid

Gold is the classic New Year's Eve shade because it flatters almost every skin tone and catches light in photos. Start with a soft brown or bronze shadow in the crease to give the eye some depth. Then pat a gold shimmer over the mobile lid with your fingertip, which deposits more pigment than a brush.

For extra sparkle, press a glitter topper or a gel-based glitter over the center of the lid. Choose a product made for the eye area. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that many color additives allowed in cosmetics are not approved for use near the eyes, so check the label instead of grabbing craft glitter or a body shimmer.

Finish with black mascara and, if you like, a thin brown liner along the upper lash line.

2. Classic Red Lip with a Fine Liner

A red lip and a thin winged liner never look out of place at a party. The trick for a long night is building the lip in layers. Line the lips with a red or neutral lip pencil, then fill in the whole lip with the same pencil. This base gives the lipstick something to cling to.

Apply the lipstick with a brush, blot with a tissue, and apply a second coat. For a cleaner edge, trace around the outside of the lips with a little concealer on a flat brush. If you are going to be drinking and eating, a liquid matte lipstick will last longer than a creamy bullet, though it can feel dry, so prep the lips with balm and let it sink in first.

If you are unsure which red suits you, our guide to choosing a cherry red lipstick for your skin tone walks through warm and cool shades.

3. Smoky Eye in Charcoal or Plum

A smoky eye is forgiving because it is meant to look diffused. Lay down a dark pencil along the upper lash line and smudge it upward with a small brush. Pat a charcoal or deep plum shadow on top, then blend the edges with a lighter transition shade until there is no hard line.

Plum is a softer option for brown and hazel eyes, while charcoal and black give a sharper evening look.

Do your eyes before foundation. Dark shadow often drops onto the cheeks, and it is much easier to wipe away fallout from bare skin than to repair a finished base.

4. Champagne Inner Corners

This is the quickest way to make any eye look more festive. Take a pale champagne or light gold shimmer on a small brush or your fingertip and press it into the inner corner of each eye, then tap a little in the center of the lid.

It works on its own over a bare lid or on top of the neutral eye you wear every day. For a quick day-to-night change, see our steps for turning daytime makeup into an evening look.

5. Glowing Skin with Strategic Highlight

If you prefer the focus on your skin rather than your eyes, go for glow. Use a lightweight foundation or skin tint only where you need it, then apply a cream or liquid highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the center of the chin.

Blend the edges with a damp sponge so the highlight looks like it comes from the skin, not like a stripe on top. Set the center of the face lightly with powder, but leave the cheekbones unpowdered so they keep their shine.

6. Berry Lip with a Soft Lid

Deep berry, wine and plum lips feel wintry and look striking in evening light. Because these shades are dark, any smudge shows, so line the lips carefully and use a lip brush for the edges.

Balance a strong lip with a soft eye: a wash of taupe or mauve shadow, a little shimmer in the center of the lid and two coats of mascara.

7. Graphic Liner with a Silver Accent

For a modern look, draw a clean winged liner and add a fine line of silver or white liner just above it.

Use tape or the edge of a business card as a guide for the wing, and work with gel or liquid liner for a sharp finish. Graphic liner looks best with simple skin and a neutral lip. For more metallic ideas, our guide to metallic and neon eyeshadow looks has plenty to try.

How to Make Party Makeup Last Until Midnight

Use thin layers, set only where you need it (powder on the T-zone and under the eyes) and finish with a setting spray held at arm's length.

Pack a small touch-up kit: blotting papers, your lipstick and lip liner, a mini powder, and a cotton swab for fixing smudges under the eyes.

Leave your eye makeup alone in the car. The FDA warns against applying or removing eye cosmetics in a moving vehicle, since a bump or sudden stop can push an applicator into the eye. Finish your mascara at home or once you have arrived.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using glitter or pigments not meant for the eyes. Check that eye products are labeled for use around the eyes. Craft glitter and some face or body shimmers are not designed for that area.

Sharing makeup at the party. Passing around mascara, liner or lip products is common on a night out, but the FDA advises against sharing eye cosmetics, even with a close friend, because bacteria can spread.

Reviving old mascara. If your mascara has dried out, replace it. The FDA says manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase, and adding water or saliva to thin it can introduce bacteria.

Ignoring irritation. If a product stings, itches or makes your eyes red, take it off. If the irritation does not go away, see a doctor.

Taking It All Off After Midnight

However late you get home, take your makeup off before bed. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face before sleep to remove makeup and grime that built up during the day.

Start with the eyes. Hold a cotton pad soaked in an oil-based or micellar remover against the lids for a few seconds so glitter and waterproof mascara loosen, then wipe gently downward instead of rubbing. Follow with your usual gentle cleanser and a moisturizer.

Glitter can be stubborn. If specks are left behind, repeat with a fresh soaked pad rather than scrubbing the delicate skin around the eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makeup lasts longest for a New Year's Eve party?

Long-wear or matte foundations, liquid lipsticks and waterproof mascara tend to last longest. Prepping with primer, applying thin layers and finishing with setting spray also make a big difference.

Can I wear glitter if I wear contact lenses?

Many people do, but loose glitter can get into the eye. Choose a gel or pressed glitter labeled for eye use, put your lenses in before applying makeup, and keep glitter on the center of the lid rather than near the lash line.

More beauty ideas

• December Nails Ideas: 5 Chic Holiday Looks
• Christmas Hairstyles: Cute and Easy Holiday Looks
• How to Heal Chapped Lips in Winter
• 10 Common Makeup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Pick one look, practice it once before the big night, and you will walk into the party knowing your makeup will hold up long after the countdown.