There’s just something about New Year’s Eve. There’s something about a night that exists only to document the passing of time, a farewell to the old, a looking forward to the new. A celebration of another rotation around the sun. And whether you’re planning to celebrate quietly at home or by Going Out Big out on the town….life – with all of it’s hardships and challenges – is certainly worth celebrating.

And no one(!!) knows how to celebrate like my sister. Scotti (and her husband, Zack) are Masters of Celebration. Whether they’re slipping behind the bar to mix up new cocktails, convincing the DJ to play their playlist (and they’re oddly convincing – even at a club), or Hosting a Celebration of Laziness at home (complete with matching onesie rompers I kid you not)…this pair can Celebrate.

Knowing how much thought my sister puts into each Occasion of Celebration, I asked her to come up with four complete looks. I wanted it all – the clothes, the makeup, the accessories. I’m thrilled by what she came up with – I hope you are, too.

xo!

Shana

Hey, it’s Scotti!  Whenever I put a look together, I almost always start with the makeup.  I’ll focus on red lips or a sparkly eye or a dark dramatic look . . . whatever it is, I start there and then the rest of the outfit follows.  For me it’s all about the makeup making the look.  It’s the ultimate accessory to any outfit (even a basic sweatshirt – see below).

Here are four complete NYE looks – makeup and outfit recommendations – that will be just as home at a wild party as they will at, well, home.

Look 1: Great Gatsby

What better way to ring in the New Year than all-out glamour and decadence?  Grab something glittery, pile on faux-fur, wear your most flashy shoes, and don’t forget a few fun hair accessories.  For the makeup, smokey eyes are a must.  Instead of a true Gatsby red lip, make the look less costume-y with soft pink gloss.

The resulting look is glamorous, fun, and can easily be adapted to any occasion (I’m keeping things casual in jeans, but swap the jeans out for a fringed skirt and sheer black nylons if you are going somewhere dressy.)

Makeup Notes: I’ve been wanting to try Bobbi Brown’s shadows for awhile now, and this palette was too good to pass up.  (And it’s 25% off right now! Ok it was so popular it sold out . . . BUT this palette has even more colors in wearable matte and shimmery shades and this palette has grayer tones without being too harsh like some dark colors can be).  Her makeup is super easy to work with and very wearable . . . this palette made a smokey eye a breeze to create.  It came with the brush to blend and use the shadow as a liner and took the guesswork out of coordinating shades.  This one will be used again and again . . . as will her pot rouge for lips & cheeks (wearing “powder pink” in the photos).  It actually looks good on both your lips and cheeks and is easy to work with.  I just dabbed it on with my finger and blended.

Wearing:

Jeans: Paige Ankle Skinny Jeans (I kept hearing about how flattering they are on curvy figures . . . and I loved them!)

Cami: Topshop Crinkly V-Neck Cami

Vest: Faux Fur Vest

Shoes: Similar here or with a lower heel

Accessories:

Gorjana Necklace

Earrings (loving these ear crawlers right now!)

Clutch

Barette

Eyes: Bobbi Brown Shadow Palette and Eye Pencil in mahogany

Lips & Cheeks: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in powder pink and High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Pastel

Look Two: Pretty In Pink

Have you heard?  Pantone’s color of the year for 2016 is  “rose quartz” and “serenity”, aka, pink and gray (or gray-ish anyway).  And yes, this is the first time they’ve picked two colors.  According to Pantone, “Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”

Yes.  Yes to all of that:  connection and wellness and order and peace.

Inspired by the combo, I pulled together a look that combines a few shades of pink with gray (I’m in gray sequin leggings but gray jeans would be gorgeous here) and went crazy with pink makeup.  Finish off with silver accessories and you have an outfit that demonstrates the “inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler–”

You get the idea.

Makeup Notes: Stila’s Magnificent Metal Foils are the perfect way to create a total eye “look” using one product. They’re a great choice for New Year’s because of the high-sparkle shine they give (without winding up with a face full of glitter).  They look great with a shimmery highlighter (like MAC’s Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle) dusted on your cheekbones . . . you’ll end up with an ethereal glow instead of an in-your-face sparkle.

Wearing:

Jacket: Boyfriend Blazer

Cami: Topshop Cami

Leggings: Sequin Leggings

Accessories: Triangle Necklace

Choker Necklace

Pave Ring

Eyes: Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Shadow

Highlighter: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish

Look 3: Film Noir

For a modern-day femme fatale, dress in all black, add matte red lips and thick liquid liner.  Obviously a fitted black gown would be a gorgeous option, but I opted to go with a sheer black blouse and – for drama – a skirt in faux-leather.

Makeup Notes: MAC’s Ruby Woo lipstick is iconic for a reason.  This stuff is amazing and stayed on through champagne, food and kisses.  I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy their Fluidline liner was to apply and how well it stayed on.  The key to the perfect shape?  Scotch tape.  Put it directly under your lower lashes at the angle you want your liner to be and it will absorb any liner that gets out of place.

Wearing:

Top: Topshop Blouse

Skirt: Faux Leather Skirt

Hosiery: Seamed Hose

Earrings: Ear Crawlers (these are amazing . . . they’re mismatched and make such a statement)

Lips: MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick & Liner

Eyes: MAC Fluidline Liner

Zack’s Suit (similar): Skinny Fit Burgundy Suit Jacket and Trousers

Greenlea’s Coat (similar) and Dress (similar)

Look 4: She’s A Maniac, Maniac

Know who can rock a sweatshirt?  Jennifer Beals, that’s who.  Taking a page from her book, we put together a look using leggings (faux-leather of course), a sweatshirt, oversized hoop earrings, and glimmery, glow-y makeup.

Makeup Notes: I used my favorite gold shadow, Urban Decay’s Half Baked, and added a bright candy-red glossy lip.  MAC’s Pro Longwear Lip Colour stays on through kissing your littles and has a clear gloss that can be reapplied as needed.  (I’m wearing Lasting Lust in these photos).

Wearing:

Top: “Goal Digger” Sweatshirt

Pants: Faux Leather Pants

Lips: MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolour in Lasting Lust

Eyes: Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Half Baked (also available in the Naked or Naked 2 Palette)

Wherever you may be spending New Year’s Eve, we wish you a very very Happy New Year!

XOXO,

Scotti

A huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!  I always love the opportunity to experiment with new makeup looks.  And readers – thank you SO much for your support.  It doesn’t go unnoticed and it is so appreciated. 

Photo Credit: Patty Belt of Pinc. Photography