Party Makeup On A Budget: With Tips And Tricks

Presenting Our Top Party Makeup Tricks

Top Party Makeup Looks

When you’re out partying every week (read Wednesday ‘cause ladies’ night), it gets tougher. I mean, what can enthusiastic but hard up makeup enthusiasts like us achieve on a shoestring budget? Thankfully, Nykaa has undertaken the humongous task of making life easy for us and our pockets.

If we are going out and trying to have the proper night out in the town, two of the top things we should be focusing on. First, our faithful makeup bags and second, sourcing all the party makeup inspo we can get our hands on. Busy, booked, and completely raring to go, there's no better opportunity to give our favourite eyeshadow palettes the night of their lives!

The perfect party demands an equally awesome outfit and, of course, the crème de la crème makeup look. Okay, not too hard to find the party dress (hello, black mini dresses, sparkly mini skirts, and sky-high stilettos.), but the perfect party makeup? Not so much. Besides having all the right tools for the face, the eyes, and the lips, it really also boils down to knowing how to wield it.

Here’s a blissfully easy party makeup tutorial, using products whose price tags won’t give you a harsh reality check. #PartyGirls, listen up close.

Step By Step Guide To Party Makeup Look

Here's a step-by-step guide for party makeup that will be just great for anyone looking for easy makeup for a party! Be it a makeup pro or completely new to makeup, this guide will help you create stunning makeup looks for a party that will look glam and super easy to get done. Let's get you party-ready, girl!

Step 1: Prepping the Skin

Before all of that, great skin is the most vital! Be sure to clean your face first with a mild cleanser that removes dirt and oils and then moisturise with a light moisturiser to hydrate your skin, followed by Maybelline New York Fit Me Primer, which smoothes out your skin. Primer will ensure that your makeup stays put all night long.

Step 2: Flawless Base

It’s time to create the perfect base. Begin with a foundation like the Kay Beauty Hydrating Foundationthat matches your skin tone, then apply it using a sponge or brush. Blend very well around the jawline and hairline. If you want more natural, easy makeup for a party look, then you should make use of the BB cream instead of the full-coverage foundation. Draw on the blemishes or dark circles present under your eyes, then apply some concealer on them as well and blend it.

Step 3: Glowy Cheeks

Now, let's add some colour to those cheeks. Using your peachy or rosy blush from the Insight Cosmetics Blush & Highlight Palette , sweep it across your apples for that flirty and fresh finish. And, voila! For that party glow, dab some highlighter on the high points of your face like your cheekbones, nose, and brow bone.

Step 4: Eye Makeup Magic

And now comes the best part: eyes! For easy makeup for a party, a shimmery eyeshadow is a lifesaver. A gold, pink, or champagne gives a lovely subtle, pretty-glam touch. The Kay Beauty Multi Texture Eyeshadow Palette is an absolute favourite because of its versatile shades. Use it across your lids and add a darker shade in the corners for a bit of depth. Line your eyes with a thin winged liner, and don't forget to curl the lashes and add mascara for party-ready eyes!

Step 5: Perfect Pout

Complete your party makeup look with a cute lip colour. It could be that bold red lip or a soft pink gloss. Make sure it complements your look. For a long-lasting lip, dab a little bit of powder on your lips before applying colour.

You are now ready to slay the night away with your gorgeous makeup looks for party!

How To Elevate Your Party Makeup

Elevating your party makeup from simple to stunning and it doesn’t even have to be complicated. You can transform a basic look into something lighting up a night with just a few simple steps. Let's begin with a good base, choosing a foundation that matches your skin tone and gives you a flawless finish. Now let's focus on the eyes. For party makeup, a little shimmer goes a long way. Glittery eyeshadow in soft golds or pinks and remember to blend-this will give a gorgeous effect without being too dramatic.

Winged eyeliner and volumising mascara will make the eyes go pop. Lips should always be bold. Whether it's the classic red or bright pink, a bold lip colour can send your makeup looks for party from casual to chic in a matter of seconds. Shine on the cheekbones and down the nose will make you glow with radiance. Finish with setting spray, and dance into the night! Party makeup is about having fun, so do not be afraid of colours and shine.

Presenting Our Top Party Makeup Tricks

1. Perfect The Primer

A long night of some pretty HAWT dance moves requires a makeup base that stays put right till the crack of dawn. How to get there? Just dab on a dot of Lakme Absolute Blur Perfect Makeup Primer for an even-toned makeup canvas. The lightweight, water-proof, and mattifying formula makes it an indispensable part of our party makeup tips.

2. A Strong Foundation

Party or no party, you can’t really skip that foundation. Getting that flawless base without blowing up money is no mean feat. Our to-go thrifty beauty is Nykaa SKINgenius Sculpting & Hydrating Foundation . Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, its unique color-adapting technology has us rooting for it already.

3. The Master Magician

A dimly lit pub isn’t reason enough for you to not pay attention to those blemishes and under-eye bags. And if you thought all concealers are pricey, the L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD begs to differ. With a stunning range of 24 shades, this buildable formula provides a matte, natural-looking finish like no other. That’s a thumbs-up from us.

4. Pact With The Compact

Nothing like the horror of your makeup turning cakey even before you’ve downed the first peg of the night. If that’s your #TrueStory, you’re probably undervaluing the power of a compact. Invest in the modest yet effective L'Oreal Paris Infallible Oil Killer Powder . Infused with SPF 34 and a special sebum-absorb formula, this one’s our fave under-500 beauty.

5. Dress Up Those Lids

One of the trendiest party makeup looks involves going big on the shadow. For that hypnotizing wink, trust nobody but our very own winkmaster, the Nykaa Cosmetics Just Wink It! 12 in 1 - Eyeshadow Palette . Each palette smartly comprises of base, dimension-building, and finishing hues, so you get a complete look with just one product, even while saving some precious penny.

6. The Killer Wing

It’s safe to say that no party-wear makeup is complete without intensely lined, jet-black eyes. Since even the most impeccably kohled eyes tend to get smudgy as the night passes, we’d skip the stick altogether. Instead, we’d place our bets on a very affordable, fine-tipped wonder, the Maybelline New York The Colossal Liner . Channel your inner Cleopatra and master the famed wing.

7. Lash Out Loud

When has a party makeup step-by-step tutorial ever been complete without some mascara overload? For an eye game that stays LIT even after the afterparty ends, you need fanned-out, fluttery lashes. Swear by the Colorbar Lash Illusion Mascara Duo for a clump-free formula and two-in-one effect. Thick and long lashes? Check.

8. Big On Brows

Be the brow-alicious beauty of the party. Now if you’re not a bushy babe by default, here’s how you can amp up the brow game. Groom, shape and fill in the gaps with the reasonably-priced, Maybelline New York Define & Blend Brow Pencil. Equipped with a cutesy mini brow-brush to tame stray strands. Awesome arches? Hell, yes!

9. Blush Blush Baby

Be it a lazy Sunday brunch or a tipsy night at the pub, you can’t really get over your love for flushed, just-pinched cheeks? Ditto! Go from fine to fabulous with the help of this low-on-moolah cheeky baby, the Lakme 9 to 5 Powerplay Velvet Creme Blush. Seven, soft-textured shades that come with an easy-to-use applicator. This one’s a sure-shot steal.

10. The Diva Who Dazzles

C’mon, you didn’t think of stepping out the house without swiping on some shimmer, did you? How else will you become the ‘highlight’ of the party, love? No makeup for party is complete without liberal lashings of e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter that provides the ultimate high-definition, long-lasting illumination to your Indian party makeup look.

11. Pout. Party. Repeat.

Want a night of careless boozing sans frequent powder room breaks to refresh your lipstick? Well, that’s only possible if you finish your party makeup at home with a pocket-friendly yet superbly matte lipstick. We put the NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream to the test and crashed the morning after with a perfectly-painted pout. Really!

Top Party Makeup Looks

Now that you have a fair idea about all the essentials that you need to create a stunning party makeup look, join us as we decode the most sought-after party makeup looks.

1. Glitter Party Eye Makeup

When it comes to party wear makeup, an element that we’re big on is glitter. And considering glitter lids have been in vogue for a while now, here’s a night party makeup look that you should seriously consider this weekend.

Start with a neutral eyeshadow shade that’ll help set the base. Next up, build on the glitter and spread it out evenly throughout the lid, right up to the crease. If you’re a fan of liquid formulas, go ahead with the Nicka K Radiant Liquid Eye Shadow – Golden Gemma. But if you’re a powderpuff girl, go for the Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Glitter Single – Brass.

Here’s a party makeup tip. Coat your lashes with mascara, keep the rest of your face clean, and head out with muted lips.

2. Graphic Eyes On Point

Intense graphic eyes are huge and rightly so. Though they require a considerable amount of time and precision, the result is worth it. Here’s a highly dramatic evening party makeup look that we’re crushing on.

Using the Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner With Expert Eyeliner Brush and a little patience, draw the outline of your cat-eye first. Then fill it out and add loads of mascara to the mix. Remember to keep your waterline bare to further bring out the contrast.

Complement this party eye makeup look with alluring arches, glazed cheekbones and a blush pink pout.

3. Smokey Party Eye Makeup

Party or no party, smoked out eyes are a universal hit. In fact, if a trip to the salon isn’t on your mind right now, this look is your best bet at party makeup at home, no joke!

Using the kohl tip of the Colorbar Just Smoky Eye Kajal to line your upper and lower lash line heavily. Now using the built-in smudger at the other end, smudge it out gently. Repeat the process until you achieve the desired intensity. Finish off with loads and loads of mascara.

For this party makeup look, stick to a classic nude matte lip shade and a rosy flush of color for your cheeks, so your eyes can do all the talking.

4. Colourful Party Makeup Look

A rather simple makeup for party look, incorporating a pop of color into your usual routine changes the game altogether. We’ve handpicked this one ‘cause low on effort, high on impact is more our vibe.

Start off by drawing a thin line across your upper lash line using the Lakme Absolute Kohl Ultimate Kajal , finishing off with a wing. Now using Kay Beauty 24HR Coloured Matte Kajal in the colour teal, create a double wing that starts at the center of your lid, instead of the inner corner of your eye.

Sunshine eyes are ready, now it’s time for the popsicle pout. Swipe the SUGAR Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick - 07 Rethink Pink across your lips and call it a day.

5. Bold Lips For A Power Pout

If a juicy, plump pout is your drug too, look nowhere further than this party makeup look. A hot, bold burgundy pout has been a classic hit since time immemorial and we couldn’t have been more thankful, especially on rushed evenings when the squad makes a sudden boozy plan.

Start by precisely lining your lips using the Kay Beauty Matte Action Lip Liner – Applause. Fill in with the Nykaa Ultra Matte Lipstick - Cleopatra 08 . Now if you’re not a matte fanatic and would rather gloss it up for a night of dancing, swish the Huda Beauty FAUX FILLER Extra Shine Lip Gloss as a lip topper for fuller-looking lips.

Team this up with radiant skin, bare eyes (yes, absolutely bare) and look-at-me brows. Brb dying.

6. A Highlighted, Full-Glam Face

Apart from highlighter babies who can’t imagine even the gloomiest Monday mornings without a little gleam, most of us consider highlighters as only party wear makeup. Either way this day party makeup look is LIT, in every sense!

Highlight the high points of your face – your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the brow bone, and the cupid’s bow. For a little extra fun, dab a little pigment on the inner corner of your eyes and your chin.

While the Nykaa Glow Goals! Shimmer Brick Highlighter Palette is a great option in powder-based palettes, a drop of the NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator is enough to fulfil all your shimmer dreams. Then there’s also the Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter - Molten Gold that’s easily the most convenient to use.

Other elements that will add character to this cocktail makeup look is a subtle eyeliner flick and a classic red pout.

7. Blue Party Eye Makeup

This party eye makeup look is for the ones who love all eyes on them. A quick ticket to becoming the star of the party in no time, think of electric blue lids as the party poppers you didn’t know you needed.

Start by layering your lids with the Kay Beauty Metallic Eyeshadow Stick – Navigator. For this night party makeup look, you’ll need to cover the entire lid, right up to the crease. Whether you choose to smoke it out or keep the lines defined, the blue will add so much character to your #OOTN.

Since you’re anyway going all out with this one, why shy away from glueing on a pair of false eyelashes? Finish off the look with defined brows and nude lip gloss.

Conclusion

There you go, babes! Rock that perfect party makeup however the occasion may be. Be bold with dramatic makeup looks for a party, or just a little more subtle to give you easy makeup for a party vibe. It's all about having fun and letting your personality shine through because, after all, confidence is the best accessory! Shine on and slay that dance floor with the strongest glam game.

FAQs

1. What are some party makeup essentials?

   When it comes to your party makeup essentials, a full-coverage foundation and concealer are must-haves, along with a good setting powder. You probably already have blush and highlighter in your kit, but it's a great idea to include a contour or bronzer to enhance your look even more.

2. What is party makeup?

   Party makeup takes your everyday look up a notch, offering a more polished and glamorous finish. Typically, party makeup aims for an even, flawless complexion by using a single shade of foundation to balance the skin tone. Since makeup is a form of self-expression, there's no one-size-fits-all approach—everyone can create a look that suits their unique style.

3. How can I prep my skin for a party?

   Begin your skincare routine well in advance by exfoliating a few days before the big event. Exfoliating 2-3 days prior helps remove dead skin cells, allowing fresh, radiant skin to emerge and giving your makeup a smoother base to work with.

4. What’s the key to beautiful skin?

   Gentle cleansing is essential for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. Start by wetting your face with lukewarm water, then use a mild cleanser, massaging it in with your fingertips using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly, and gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel for a fresh, radiant look.

5. What’s the best makeup for a party?

   For a natural look, opt for a light foundation, blush, mascara, and your favourite lip colour. If you’re aiming for something more dramatic, go for a heavier foundation, add contour, and eyeshadow, and finish with a bold lip shade to make a statement.