It’s that time of year. The parties are coming in thick and thin. Your diary is jam-packed. You know the energy. Now, it’s time to nail your beauty look, whether it’s bold blush, all-about-skin or Noughties-inspired metallic eyes. Sometimes, we find the ‘getting ready’ part of the night as fun as the party itself, and these makeup looks are an instant mood. Hot off the runway and inspired by the latest viral trends, we’ve scoured the internet and got the inside track on the best party makeup looks of the season. With a little help from MAC, Pat McGrath Labs and Charlotte Tilbury, you can easily recreate these looks at home. Put on your playlist and get your brushes ready.

Blush is back, and yes, it’s very ’90s-coded. Party-season makeup is taking its cues from the decade that’s got fashion in a chokehold. Think flushed cheeks like you’ve legged it for the last Tube, and lids shimmering with the faint arrogance of someone who’s definitely on the guest list. First, start with Pat McGrath Labs’ Mothership VII and build your way to a molten, party-ready glow. Follow with Patrick Ta’s Major Headline Blush Duo - your shortcut to those cold-weather, rosy-as-ever cheeks. For lips, sketch in a crisp outline with MAC’s Strip Down liner, then fill with Tom Ford’s N3 West Coast, finishing with a slick of shine from Charlotte Tilbury’s Collagen Lip Bath in Rosy Refresh. To seal the deal? A sweep of Charlotte Tilbury’s Exagger-Eyes Mascara and brows that toe the line between barely-there softness and a deliberately over-tweezed, skinny throwback.

Somewhere along the way, body glow became a cult favourite, no doubt helped along by Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s shimmering alchemy. Apply generously to the neck, décolletage, and arms for the ultimate glow. Top it all off with a spritz of Parfums de Marly Cassili Eau de Parfum. And just like that, you’re ready.

Grunge is back in rotation, not that it ever truly left. Born in the ’80s and early ’90s music scene, the aesthetic has evolved from backstage smudges to runway polish. This look is all about controlled chaos: think blurred-out monochrome shades, liner that’s slightly off-kilter, and shadow that’s just shy of neat. Consider this your guide to bringing that raw energy into the present.

To channel it, start with Pat McGrath’s Skin Fetish Foundation for a weightless, blurred base. Then, wake up the under-eyes with none other than iconic momager Kris Jenner’s go-to Studio Radiance Concealer, courtesy of MAC. Next, sweep on YSL’s Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Blush, a waterproof wash that delivers a subtle hit of rebellious colour.

After that, it’s all about the eyes. Charlotte Tilbury’s glittery quad brings instant intensity in just a couple of strokes, whether you want a gentle gleam or full-impact shine. For sharper definition, layer in Stila’s precise liner. Finish with your chosen lip colour (we’re partial to Gucci’s Rouge De Beauté), and voilà - you’re party-ready.

Skin, skin, skin. Whether it’s the TikTok era sparking a new generation of base-obsessed makeup lovers or the centuries-old beauty secrets passed down for that well-rested glow, one thing is clear - the perfect base is the real star of the show. From a dewy, natural finish to a soft-focus, airbrushed effect, nailing your base sets the tone for the entire look.

First things first: prep like a pro with Pat McGrath’s Divine Skin Rose 001, aka “The Essence,” for a silky-soft canvas. For your base, reach for Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 30 - think breathable, natural, and sun-smart. Next, tackle any pesky problem areas and banish dull under-eyes (we’ve all been there) with the NARS Matte Pot Concealer. Finally, set it all in place with the fairy godmother of flawless skin: Charlotte Tilbury, her Flawless Filter Powder to be exact.

With your base perfected, it’s time to sculpt and glow. Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzer gives that effortlessly sun-kissed warmth, even if your winter coat has been your non-negotiable uniform as of late. Sweep a little Kylie Cosmetics Classic Matte Palette on your lids for that bronze warmth, then lock everything in with three to four spritzes of Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Matte Setting Spray. Not forgetting Dior’s Addict Lip Glow in shade “Rose Nude” for the perfect pout, of course.