New Year's Eve Makeup Inspiration: The 9 Best Looks to Try

woman wearing shimmery new years eve eyeshadow — @nikki_makeup/Design by Cristina Cianci

New Year's Eve may be about "new beginnings" and "fresh starts"—but TBH, what gets us most giddy about New Year's Eve is the opportunity to break out the glittery makeup, sparkly mini dresses, and glitzy accessories we rarely have an excuse to wear any other time of the year.

Below, find nine of our favorite New Year's Eve makeup looks you'll definitely want to be spotted in at midnight. *Clink clink.*

01 of 09

Inside the Lines

Creator wears silver glitter eyeshadow with black graphic eyeliner — @letharumi

Two words for this look: So. Cool. Smith & Cult's Glitter Shot All-Over Glitter Crush is a full-coverage paste complete with "custom glitter shapes" for a light-reflecting, sparkling, and multidimensional look. Simply apply it with your fingers and build up until you're satisfied—you can wear it on its own, but we love how it looks "outlined" here with black eyeliner.

02 of 09

Negative Space

Woman with silver glitter graphic eyeliner and clear glossy lips — @geaninacristina

You may as well go for it on New Year's Eve and try something new—and we love the look of this sleek silver "shadow" with negative space. Here, the makeup artist used Cupio's Pigment Makeup Glitter in bright white—after applying eye primer, you can either draw on a thick silver wing and use makeup remover to "erase," or connect one single line starting from your lash line (like you would apply regular liner), and up around the crease of your eyelids. Accessorize with nude lips and out-to-there lashes.

03 of 09

Metallic Liner

Close-up of metallic silver eyeliner with wing and inner corner outline — @scarlett_burton

This metallic cat-eye is on point—literally. Get the look by grabbing a highly pigmented silver liquid eyeliner (like MAC's Liquidlast 24-Hour Waterproof Liner in Misty Me) and applying it thick on your upper lash line, bringing it out to a wing. Connect it around the inner corners of your eyes (and slightly under, too) to get the highlight effect that'll make your eyes instantly bigger, brighter, and ready for the ball drop.

04 of 09

All Bronze Everything

Sun-kissed goddess, much? This warm, radiant look is perfect for a chilly night out (or in, depending on what your plans are). Here, the Lottie London x Laila Loves Neon Ibiza palette created a sparkly, bronze smoky eye (but of course, the glitter palette of your choice should get the job done, too). After applying eye primer, sweep a sparkly shade across your lid and top it off with a slightly darker shade. Use the lightest shade—or a dab of your favorite highlighter—around your tear ducts, and finish off the look with bronzer, nude lips, spidery lashes, and brushed-up brows.

05 of 09

Moody Metallics

Bring on the moody hues—with a twinkly touch. Take burgundy and black eyeshadows and sweep them on the outer parts of your eyes, working the burgundy above the crease. Next, take a sparkly gold hue and layer it on the center of your lid until it's fully pigmented, and blend it into the other hues. Finish off the look with glowing skin and ombré lips for bonus points.

06 of 09

Some Subtle Shimmer

Model wears silver smoky eyeshadow with lashes and nude lipstick — @nikki_makeup

If bold and audacious makeup looks aren't your style, go for something equally festive-feeling and striking—and slightly more subtle. Just sweep a bright white or silver shadow on your lids and around the inner corner of your eyes. Then, finish off the look with matte black winged liner and enviable top and bottom lashes. Add some blush and a nude lip, and voilà.

07 of 09

A Sliver of Silver

Woman with black winged eyeliner with sparkling silver accent — @iamnikikawaii

Not your average cat eye. Spice up your usual winged eyeliner with a sliver of silver—start by applying a silver liquid liner or cream shadow on top of your lids, extending the wing slightly higher and farther than you normally would. Then, go over it with matte black liquid eyeliner so that when the look is complete, you just see a subtle shimmer of the metallic shade "outlining" the black liner. (You can also apply the black liner first instead, but you'll likely have to go over it again after applying the silver liner.)

08 of 09

Add Some Gems

Salem Mitchell wears pink gems along eyelids and clear lip gloss — @salemmitchell

Face gems are the vintage makeup trend we just can't quit—and of course, they're the perfect beauty accessory to have in your repertoire for New Year's Eve. For a simple, easy look that still shines, keep the rest of your makeup toned down and simply apply the gems above and around your eye crease and in the inner corner of your eyes.

09 of 09

Vintage Vibes

Woman with silver eyeshadow, winged liner, and oxblood red lipstick — @ziedunemakeup

We're always suckers for old Hollywood glam, and this vintage-inspired look feels totally fresh for the new year. Blend a silvery, iridescent shadow on your lids with a darker hue around the outer corners of your eye. (This Dior palette has perfect shades for this.) Top it off with winged black liner and a moody burgundy lipstick that may or may not get smudged during your New Year's Eve kiss, but who cares?

42 Christmas Nail Designs That Are Surprisingly Understated