When to book New Year’s Eve makeup
31 December is one of the busiest days of the year. Almost everyone wants to be ready at similar times, so free slots disappear quickly. It is best to write to me in November or at the beginning of December.
On New Year’s Eve I usually do makeup from early afternoon until the evening. I set the order by the time you leave: first the people who are travelling further or starting the party earlier, and last those who leave latest. In Giżycko the sun sets at around 3:20 pm on 31 December, and after 4 pm it is already dark, so I work with my own neutral-coloured lighting. That way I see the colours as they will look both in the warm light of a venue and in flash photos.
Which New Year’s Eve makeup to choose
New Year’s Eve is a good moment for makeup that is bolder than everyday, but still suits you. Most often I suggest one of four directions:
- Gold and champagne. Warm, metallic eyelids, brown eyeliner, glowing skin and lips in a nude or caramel shade. It goes with gold sequins, black and bottle green.
- Silver and cool sparkle. Graphite, silver or a cool pink on the eyelids and soft, rosy lips. Good with silver sequins, navy and white.
- A smoky eye with shimmer. Browns, plum or chocolate softly blended, with a touch of shimmer in the centre of the eyelid. Striking with simple, plain dresses.
- Red lips and eyeliner. A classic that always looks good in photos. With it, the eyes stay calm: eyeliner, mascara and polished brows.
The rule is simple: one strong accent. Sparkling eyelids or bold lips. Both at once rarely look good up close, and on New Year’s Eve people are close: during the toast, on the dance floor, in phone photos.
Glitter and metallic eyelids without mishaps
Glitter beautifully catches the light in the venue and the camera flash, but if it is applied badly, after an hour it is everywhere: on your cheeks, your dress and your partner’s shirt. A few rules I stick to:
- I only use cosmetic glitter that is safe for the eye area, never decorative craft glitter,
- I apply it over a primer or a special glue that holds the particles all night,
- with glitter and dark eyeshadows I do the eyes first and only then the skin, so that I can remove any fallout without a trace,
- I keep the sparkle in the centre of the mobile eyelid and in the inner corner of the eye, where it reflects light most beautifully.
The photo at the top of this article shows gold flakes on the eyelids. It is a beautiful effect for a photo shoot, but for an all-night party I choose more stable foil eyeshadows and pressed glitter, which give a similar shine and do not fall off while you dance.
Makeup for your outfit: sequins, black, red
Your outfit tells me the most. Gold sequins and warm beiges go well with browns, gold and peach; silver and cool colours with graphite, silver and cool pink. A little black dress gives the most freedom: you can choose red lips or a smoky eye.
With a red dress I match the lip shade to the shade of the fabric. A warm tomato red and a cool raspberry red clash next to each other, so if you do not want to take the risk, we go for neutral lips and stronger eyes. Velvet and satin look best with a rather matte complexion, with highlighter only on the tops of the cheekbones.
Before the makeup, show me a photo of your outfit, shoes and jewellery. If you have inspiration from Instagram, I am happy to see it too and adapt it to your features.
Makeup that lasts until morning
Makeup done at 5 pm has to look good at midnight and still in the early hours, often more than ten hours later. Add dancing, a warm venue and temperature changes when you step outside. That is why:
- I prepare the skin well: hydration and a primer suited to your skin type,
- I apply thin layers of foundation and set the makeup in stages, not only at the end,
- I mattify the T-zone, because in flash photos shiny skin looks oily,
- I choose waterproof mascara and long-wearing eyeliner,
- I use a long-wear lipstick or put a tint underneath it, so that colour stays on your lips after the toast and the midnight kiss,
- if you want a stronger look, I apply individual lashes, which are lighter than strip lashes and hold well all night.
Midnight in the frost: fireworks and wind off the lake
At midnight many people go outside: down to the lake, onto the beach or in front of the hotel. In Masuria it can be several degrees below zero, and the wind off the lake quickly brings tears to your eyes. The skin turns red, lips get chapped, and back in the warm venue the face easily starts to shine.
- Before the makeup I apply a cream that protects the skin from the cold, and a balm on the lips, on top of which I apply the lipstick.
- I do not use a strong pencil on the lower lash line, because it smudges fastest when the eyes water.
- Blot tears with a tissue by pressing it to the skin, instead of rubbing your eye.
- Keep sparklers away from your face and hair, especially if it is set with hairspray.
What to take in your handbag
A small makeup bag is enough for the whole night. It is worth having:
- the lipstick or lip liner from your makeup, because after dinner and toasts the lips lose colour fastest,
- blotting papers, which take away shine without adding powder,
- a small pressed powder with a mirror,
- cotton buds for touch-ups under the eyes,
- a lip balm for going out into the frost.
At the end of the makeup I will tell you which shades I used, so that you can take a similar lipstick from your own makeup bag.
Removing makeup after New Year’s Eve
Even after the longest party, do not fall asleep in your makeup. Glitter and waterproof cosmetics are easiest to dissolve with a cleansing oil or balm: hold it on your eyelids for a moment and remove it without rubbing. You can pick up single particles from your cheeks and neckline by gently pressing a piece of sticky tape against the skin, but do not use it near your eyes. Then wash your face with a gentle gel and apply a moisturiser.
In the morning, that is on 1 January, the skin is usually dehydrated after a night in a warm venue and out in the frost. A hydrating mask, cool compresses under the eyes and plenty of water will help.
Makeup for several people and travel
Giżycko is my main place of work, and this is where I most often do makeup on New Year’s Eve. If you are getting ready at home, in a hotel or a rented cottage in Mikołajki, Mrągowo, Ryn or nearby, tell me where: I agree on travel individually, depending on the plan for the day. It is most convenient when I do makeup for several people in one place, for example friends going to a ball together. Let me know straight away, and I will plan the timings so that everyone is ready on time.
In your message, give the time you are leaving, the place, the number of people and, if you have one, a photo of your outfit. I will check my availability and prepare a quote. I set prices individually, and if I travel to you, the travel cost is included in the quote. I book the date once I confirm it by email or text message, and I do not take any deposit. You can read more about makeup for different occasions on the occasion makeup page.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book New Year’s Eve makeup?
Ideally in November or at the beginning of December. 31 December is one of the busiest days of the year, and almost everyone wants to be ready at similar times.
Will New Year’s Eve makeup last until morning?
Yes, if the skin is well prepared and the makeup is set in layers. I use waterproof mascara and long-wearing products, and for touch-ups a lipstick, blotting papers and a little powder are enough.
Won’t the glitter fall off?
I use cosmetic glitter and foil eyeshadows over a primer that holds the particles all night. With glitter I do the eyes first and then the skin, so that I can remove any fallout.
Do you travel to Mikołajki and Mrągowo on New Year’s Eve?
I agree on travel individually. Tell me where you are getting ready and what time you are leaving, and I will check whether I can come that day. The travel cost is included in the quote.
Do you take a deposit for a New Year’s Eve booking?
No. I book the date once I confirm it by email or text message, with no deposit.
See also my portfolio and the article Prom makeup.