‘I tried TikToks’s most popular eye makeup looks – and I’m hooked’

Are you on the hunt for some Christmas party makeup ideas? Forgotten what going out out looks like? Perhaps you tried to dial up your day makeup – and wound up looking like a glitterball crossed with a badger? I know I have.

Truthfully, party makeup can feel intimidating – regardless of how much makeup you wear or how often, switching up our look from AM to PM can befuddle makeup artists and novices alike. 

But fear not, for the four most talked about party eye makeup trends for 2023 are fast, fuss-free and foolproof, plus they come with look-and-feel-goods as standard – which is why we asked John Lewis Beauty Guide Natalie Wright to show us how to master them in real life.

For the finger smudgers, the face painters, the enthusiasts, the dabblers, the artists and the ‘dip your face in and hope for the best’ quick fixers. For office Christmas parties, big birthdays, date nights, Christmas Eve, Friday nights, New Year’s Eve and every spontaneous celebration in between – there’s a look for your every mood and occasion, thanks to…

Silver-foiled, sparkle-laced liner and molten metallics are as synonymous with party season as sequin dresses and Strictly. This season? Name-drop the likes of Gucci, Beyoncé and Kendall Jenner (for kicks), then opt for every-kind-of party eyes, courtesy of Hourglass Scattered Light Shadow. Easy to apply, it packs all the pizazz of a party-loving, life-and-soul sequin lid, without being overly showy. Perfect for peacocks, sure, but rest assured that Rapture suits all eye shapes and shades (and introverts and extroverts alike).

Pro tip ‘Use your fingertip to press glitter shadow on to the lids, or wet a brush with setting spray to apply glitter shadow,’ says John Lewis Beauty Guide Natalie Wright. ‘It gives you more control and keeps the glitter where you place it, instead of it flying all over the place.’

If you buy ONE thing Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Rapture

Reverse cat-eye makeup (aka fox eyes) is a fresh twist on classic winged eyeliner, loved by celebrity makeup artists, catwalks and TikTok types. Sharp, super versatile and an easy way to enhance your eye shape, it’s no wonder millions are flocking to fox eyes – from artful, extended flicks (see Carolina Herrera) to jumbo lines à la Julia Fox (obvs). Arguably the BIGGEST makeup trend of 2022, expect to see WOW winged liner all over the ‘gram in 2023 too. 

Pro tip ‘Using a gel liner [and an ultrafine brush] start with the wings to make sure they’re even,’ says Natalie. ‘Then line the rest of the eye. You can use tape as a guide or concealer to clean it up and help it to look super sharp.’ 

If you buy ONE thing Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

An AM>PM easy win, smouldering smoky eyes are a must for anyone wanting to look both on-trend and timeless (that’s all of us, then) – with deliberately smudged and streaked diffused lines. Call it ‘Michael Kors meets JLo and Kim Kardashian’ for bonus points, and do switch your powder shadow for a budge-proof cream or colour stick – it’s less likely to drop (good news for under eyes).  

Pro tip ‘I love this Caviar Stick – you can be quite messy applying it across the lid, using a fluffy brush to blend and soften it to create that smoky effect. Don't forget to take colour under the lower lash line, too, using liner or the shadow stick in the waterline with plenty of mascara for a super smoky look.’

If you buy ONE thing Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Plum or Khaki

From thin cobalt lines to inner eye ‘colour pops’ and bright blue lids (blended right up to your brows – yes really!), blue eye makeup is having a major moment. The new mood? Playful. Fun. Easy. Thank Zendaya and Charlotte Tilbury for Christian Siriano for that. So, which blue is for you? Blue eyes best suit: indigo; hazel: cobalt; green: cornflower; and brown eyes: navy.

Pro tip ‘Don't be afraid of colour – instead adjust it to your level of comfort,’ says Natalie, ‘whether you want a little bit on the inner corner or a full lid. Use a bronzer as a transition shade in the crease of the eye and do use a good eye primer as a base, so the colour really pops.’

If you buy ONE thing Clarins Ombre Sparkle Eyeshadow, 103 Sparkling Blue