20 New Year's Eve Makeup Looks to Help You Ring in 2024
2024 is almost here, and it's high time for the New Year's Eve makeup looks you've bookmarked to come to life. After all, nothing marks a celebration like showing up in your boldest and most shimmery eye makeup look.
Related: 35 Dazzling New Year's Nails Ideas to Welcome 2024
This is the time of year to have fun experimenting, says celebrity makeup artist Alex Byrne. If you're more of an eyeshadow lover, go a bit darker and more exaggerated in shape, especially at the outer corners. And to top it all off? "For a pop of shimmer in the center of the lid, try Moira Cosmetics Hologram Glitter Gel in Disco Ball to create a captivating holographic effect that will elevate your style," she says. "And if you're a lash lover, put on a few extra coats of mascara and add some corner lashes."
Meet Our Expert
Alex Byrne is a celebrity makeup artist and men's groomer living in New York City
From smoky liner to sparkling lids, we've gathered a gallery of unforgettable New Year's Eve eye makeup looks worthy of the big ball drop and an effervescent champagne toast.
Gaga for Smoky Eyes
Lady Gaga is always bookmarked as a beauty inspiration for us, and she's an expert at slaying smoky eyes especially. If you're going that route, Byrne says the bolder the the better. But if you’re not quite sure how far you can go: "Start with the most bold makeup you'd wear and slightly exaggerate that look."
Daringly Defined
Regina Hall knows that defining your eyes is the secret to making them pop, which is why she looks so radiant in this eye makeup look, featuring bold liner on the top and bottom lash lines and voluminous lashes. Byrne believes balancing a look is all about playing up one feature versus the entire face. "No matter the occasion, we have four main points of glam — eyes, lips, cheeks, and skin," she explains. "My rule is to choose two or three maximum and then go for it. If you start emphasizing everything all at once, there’s a big risk it will look overdone."
Mesmerizing and Metallic
As far as we know, Ciara can rock a metallic eyeshadow look anywhere, anytime. But this eyeshadow look is extra radiant on her. Metallic shadow looks will trend big this New Year's Eve, emphasizes Byrne. "There's nothing more festive than a metallic glaze."
Related: The 11 Best Glitter Eyeshadows
Sparkling Details
Don't leave out the sparkle this season! Here, Sanaa Lathan demonstrates how the right amount of shimmer on the lids can make a big impact. "New Year's Eve always brings me back to the timeless glamour of Studio 54," she says. "It's the perfect moment for razzle-dazzle, where metallics are neutrals, and even low-key glam lovers embrace the opportunity to dabble with disco and late-night pizzaz."
Razor-Sharp Cat Eye
Gwen Stefani knows how to work a red carpet, and we can guarantee you she shines at any New Year's Eve party she attends, past and present. This liquid eyeliner is applied with laser precision, showcasing how cat eyes can make a gaze all the more striking. Youngblood Cosmetics Eye-mazing Liquid Liner ($30) has an extra precise tip for getting the cleanest lines.
Bring On the Drama
Here, Kerry Washington's eye makeup has a little bit of everything we love for New Year's Eve, from metallic shimmer to a smoky crease.
Sheer and Shimmering
Dua Lipa has never let us down with her eye makeup looks, and she's not stopping now! "I love any eyeshadow look with a sparkly element placed into the eyeliner, right at the base of the top lashes," she explains. "It's a little surprising because you likely can't see much lash line sparkle when the eyes are open, but there's a flash of glam with every blink."
Defined Details
For New Year's Eve, consider this strategy: Define your eyes and when you think you're finished, go ahead and define them even more. Jennifer Lopez has always proved that more is more when it comes to eye makeup. Here, the inner rims of her eyes are lined with charcoal liner to accentuate her gorgeous gaze.
Pop of Color
A pop of color on the lids is always a good idea, which is why this purple smoky shadow look on Viola Davis is a total win in our book for New Year's Eve. To recreate this eye moment, apply the shadow generously to the lids up to the brow, and then start to bring in the smoky definition in the crease and around the eye shape, finishing with a few coats of your favorite mascara for plenty of volume.
Razzle Dazzle
For New Year's Eve, it's impossible not to be inspired by this metallic eye makeup look on Ashley Graham. "There's nothing more festive than a metallic glaze," says Byrne. "The metallic shadow can be liquid, cream, or powder and worn on its own with a great lash line, or it also looks incredible with a winged liner of any color." Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow ($36) can be used with other products or alone to bring a metallic element to your eye makeup look.
Pink is Always a Good Idea
Issa Rae proves that New Year's Eve eye makeup looks don't all need to be deeper tones like blacks, grays, and smoky browns. Her shimmering pop of pink shadow, voluminous lashes, and defined brows are suitable to wear to any end-of-the-year celebration.
Longest Lashes
"If you're lash shy, New Year's Eve is the perfect opportunity to try lashes or bigger ones than you'd normally wear," says Byrne. Cardi B proves that the bigger the lashes, the better the look. Plus, we love a soft shadow and bold fringe look any time of year.
Related: The 6 Best False Eyelashes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Chic and Sleek
Don't be shy about extra eye definition this New Year's Eve! Dove Cameron looks unreal in this smoky liner, which punctuates her top and bottom lash lines dramatically. Start with a creamy liner that will blend well and stay put, like Victoria Beckham Beauty's Satin Kajal Eyeliner ($32), and apply a shadow on top to grab the pigment and intensify it even more.
Soft Smoke
If over-the-top drama isn't your thing, but you want to enhance your eyes, this soft, smoky shadow look on Natalie Portman shows how it's done. Shadow is applied to both the top lid and under-eye area and smoked out with precise liner. Don't forget mascara is always the crown jewel of a New Year's Eve eye makeup look.
Liquid Liner Love
Liquid liner is versatile for many eye shapes. Vanessa Hudgens proves that sharp strokes of liquid liner with defined brows and fluffy lashes can go a long way for a New Year's Eve celebration.
Sultry and Shaped
Knowing how to define your eye shape is key, and Kelly Rowland teaches us how accentuating the outer corners of the eyes can make a big impact. Here, her shadow and liner are blended outward to enhance and add drama, which is a lovely technique to utilize on New Year's Eve (and any other holiday, really).
Center of Attention
If you have a hooded eye shape like Anne Hathaway's, a bold liner look is an excellent way to enhance your eyes on New Year's Eve or any day.
Definitely Daring
Dare to be different this New Year's Eve and try a striking eye makeup look like Rachel Zegler's. Winged liner accentuates the top lid while a waterproof liner is applied in the bottom waterline. Soft, glossy lips and matte skin are the ideal complement to a dressier eye.
Natural Beauty
If you're more of a natural makeup gal and want to wear something minimal that accentuates your eyes, this look on Michelle Williams shows how a precise liner can go a long way. Skin is healthy and flushed, lips are defined, and brows are perfectly brushed in place, proving not all eye makeup looks need to be over the top to enjoy New Year's Eve.
Lovely in Lashes
Give yourself some extra fringe this New Year's Eve. Here, Gemma Chan looks radiant in these lashes, which enhance her eyes in the softest way possible. Paired with a glowing complexion, a little lash love might be all you need this holiday season to take your look up a notch.
Up Next: The Most Gorgeous New Year's Eve Makeup Looks For Every Zodiac Sign
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