Makeup artist shares bold combinations and tricks that will enhance your look
Do you want to start the year with style and shine? Makeup for New Year’s Eve 2025/2026 brings sophisticated trends, bold combinations and tricks that will enhance your New Year’s Eve look. São Paulo makeup artist Guilherme Serpa, from Espaço Hi, in São Paulo, shares his most elegant proposals and infallible tips for you to rock your New Year’s makeup. Check it out!
Shades of silver, rose gold and champagne are still trending for New Year’s Eve. For Guilherme Serpa, “the makeup metallic brings elegance and that party effect without exaggeration. A shimmer on the mobile eyelid, combined with the illuminated inner corner, already creates an impactful look.” He recommends using products with a creamy texture as a base for the shine — such as creamy shadows, eyeshadow primer or concealer — ensuring greater hold.
Makeup Artist Tip: first apply a neutral eyeshadow as a base, then press the metallic pigment with a brush with denser and firmer bristles, this avoids fallout and intensifies the effect.
2. Outlined colorful graphic
Creative designs are still strong: instead of traditional black, think of shades of emerald, sapphire, copper or even lilac. “THE outlined graphic allows you to be bold without compromising the sophistication of the look. It highlights the eyes and gives that modern look, perfect for New Year’s Eve”, says Guilherme Serpa.
Makeup Artist Tip: Use a colored eyeliner pen with a fine tip for precision. If you make a mistake, clean the line with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover and redo it.
For those who prefer something more neutral, the classic smokey eyes gets a makeover. Guilherme Serpa suggests mixing dark brown shadows with a little gold shimmer in the center of the eyelid. This maintains the charm, but with softness and warmth.
Trick: use an opaque brown eyeshadow to create a dark base, blend well and, at the end, apply a golden pigment with your finger for a punctual shine effect.
4. Classic red lips
Traditional red never goes out of style and, at the turn of the year, it symbolizes passion, power and self-confidence. “One lipstick Well-applied red is timeless and works with almost any look. If the eye makeup is more discreet, he could be the star of the turn”, comments Guilherme Serpa.
Makeup Artist Tip: Choose a lipstick with a creamy or slightly matte formula. Use a contour pencil to define the shape well and fill in the center with lipstick.
Imagem: Sergey Golenko | ShutterstockIf you want something more festive, but without giving up comfort, the lip gloss with glitter is perfect. “It gives that glam look, reflects light and leaves the lips with good volume without drying out like denser lipsticks”, explains Guilherme Serpa.
Makeup Artist Tip: apply the gloss just in the center of the lips to create a more voluminous effect, the concentrated shine makes the lips appear fuller.
6. Strategic highlighter + soft contour
Glow continues to be the protagonist in 2026. Guilherme Serpa recommends using highlighter in strategic points: the top of the cheekbones, cupid’s bow and the tip of the nose. Combine with a light contour to balance shine and definition. “This contrast between light and shadow gives that air of celebration without exaggeration,” he says.
Makeup Artist Tip: Mix a little liquid highlighter into your foundation for a luminous, even skin effect that lasts all night.
7. Monochromatic makeup in peach or rosé tones
An elegant and discreet trend is to use a monochromatic palette, combining eyeshadows, blush and lipstick in different shades of peach or rosé. “This creates harmony on the face and gives a feeling of freshness and lightness, very suitable for a relaxed but sophisticated New Year’s party”, explains Guilherme Serpa.
Makeup Artist Tip: use a creamy rosé eyeshadow on your eyes, spray a peach blush on your apples and finish with a soft lipstick from the same family. The result is cohesive and elegant.
How to prepare your skin for New Year’s makeup
- Prepare your skin well: cleansing, hydration and primer are your best allies to guarantee durability in New Year’s Eve makeup;
- Fixation: use translucent powder in areas most prone to sweat and oil, especially in the “T” zone;
- Products that save: carry in your bag a small blending brush, an extra lipstick or gloss and tissue paper for touch-ups, if necessary;
- Final touch: at the end of the party, use a two-phase makeup remover and a cleansing foam to remove makeup, especially metallic pigments. Aftercare make It’s just as important as the pre! Therefore, take care in skincare.
By Sarah Monteiro
