The Ultimate Step By Step 2024 Guide To Acing Party Makeup Look

By Khanak Mehta

When it comes to party-worthy outfits, there are about a thousand options out there for every single event. But when it comes to party makeup looks, the possibilities can be a little slim. While there is no dearth of beauty inspo online, not all of us are pro-level makeup artists and may find it a little hard to execute those looks.

Lucky for you, we put our heads together and created a fool-proof party makeup routine – if follow it step-by-step, we pretty much guarantee that you’ll look party-ready in no time. The same way you’ve got your go-to, everyday makeup routine down to a science, this makeup look will always look good on you, without fail.

Keep reading to know how you can get it right. 

Must-haves for a simple party makeup look 

When it comes to party makeup, you’re going to have to go beyond your everyday makeup products like BB creams and lip and cheek tints. Think higher coverage, more colour, and lots of impact.

For your partywear makeup products, you definitely need a full-coverage foundation and concealer, along with a setting powder. We know you’ve already got a blush and highlighter in your arsenal, but adding a contour or bronzing powder is a good idea, too.

For your eyes, consider investing in an eyeshadow palette that has an equal mix of neutrals and poppy hues, and definitely have a few options for your pout – start with a nude lipstick, a red shade, and a pink gloss.

Once you have all of these must-have products in your kit, you can think about adding a few extra ones to take your party wear makeup look to pro level. We’re talking about glitter eyeshadows, setting sprays, and finishing powders!

For now, you’ve got your product list ready, so here’s a step-by-step guide to acing a simple party makeup look. 

Watch: Elton Fernandez’ Top Party Makeup Trends

Step 1: Cleanse and moisturise

Whether you’re thinking of a heavy or light party makeup look, prepping your skin is paramount. The right skin prep can create a big difference in how your party makeup looks, and how it lasts throughout the night, too.

Start by using a cleanser that suits your skin type. If you have dry skin, a hydrating cleanser will be perfect for you as it won’t strip your skin of moisture and be gentle on it, too. If you have oily skin, a gel-textured cleanser formulated with ingredients like salicylic acid will help zap away any extra oil and leave behind a fresh canvas for your skincare and makeup.

Once your skin is squeaky clean, follow up with your usual skincare routine. If you want to keep things simple, you can skip the toner and eye cream and directly apply your moisturiser. Be sure to not skip this step for your party wear makeup look, because it essentially acts as a primer for your base makeup, too. Pick a formula that suits your skin type but consider investing in a slightly more heavy-duty version for your party makeup looks because we promise you, your skin will want the extra moisture.

Once you’ve added hydration and primed your skin with your moisturiser, you can start your party makeup look by applying your foundation and concealer. Choose high-coverage formulas that promise to last all night long – but keep in mind that they don’t necessarily need to feel heavy on your skin. A matte formula is a good idea as it will last longer, no matter your skin type. Plus, that means less touch ups, too!

For your concealer, pick a shade that’s slightly lighter than your skin tone to help highlight your under-eyes and add more dimension to your face. Choose one that has a pink or peachy undertone as opposed to a yellow or golden one to slightly colour-correct the area, too.

Remember that the tools you use matter. We suggest applying your foundation and concealer on your face with a brush first and then blending them in with a makeup sponge. This will help give your skin a flawless, airbrushed finish.

Before you move on to any other steps, be sure to dust on some setting powder all over your face. This has quite a few benefits! One, it will set all your hard work in place. Two, it will help your makeup last longer. And three, it will help any powder products you add on top blend much better.

You can choose between a tinted setting powder and a loose, translucent powder. We suggest using the former to add more coverage to your party makeup look, and the latter if you want to try baking your face and want a seamless finish. PS: Don’t forget to put it in your purse and carry it with you for touch-ups, too.

Next, move on to the cheeks. You can do your usual routine of swiping on some blush and highlighter, and maybe even use a slightly heavier hand to make it suit your party wear makeup look.

Now, for the one product that will really elevate your party makeup – a bronzer. Much like a contour powder, this product will help add dimension to your party makeup look, but also add some warmth and colour to your face. Brush it onto the high points of your face, wherever the sun naturally hits your skin.

This is when you can really start to experiment – you can choose to make your eyes or lips (or both!) the focus of your partywear makeup look. For an easy look that still makes an impact, try out winged eyeliner or siren eyes. A gold, soft glam eye look is also a classic option. Or, if you really feel like going all out, experiment with some colour! Since summer is just around the corner, it’s a great time to pull out those pop colours in your collection.

Don’t forget to finish your eye look with lots of mascara to turn up the drama.

Discover: Snatched Siren Eyes

Step 5: Perfect your pout

For the final step to complete your simple party makeup look, all you need to do is swipe on a lipstick. We suggest sticking to liquid formulas that will last longer – just be sure to prep your lips with a balm before applying them on top. Choose a nude shade for easy upkeep between drinks, or a red if you want to make a bold statement.

You can also consider investing in a lipliner to cheat your pout and make it look fuller. Turn up the glam factor on your party wear makeup look by topping off your lipstick with a gloss, and you’re done!

How to elevate your simple party makeup