7 Celebrity-Inspired Hair and Makeup Ideas to Try for New Year's Eve

Party like it's (almost) 2020.

By Rania Bolton and Liza Sokol, Fashionista

New Year's Eve is arguably the most over-hyped of all holidays. But expensive cover charges and surging Uber fares aside, it's also the perfect opportunity to get a little fancy and playful when it comes to hair and makeup. So why not make getting ready for whatever sort of celebration you have planned as fun as the celebration itself?

We turned to celebrities like Alexa Demie, Tessa Thompson and Lucy Boynton — none of whom shy away from getting a little experimental and creative when it comes to hair and makeup — for plenty of beauty inspiration. Think unexpected colors, ample hair accessories and elevated takes on everyday looks. Then, we rounded up the products that will help make all that experimentation and creativity possible. Read on, and get ready to party like it's (almost) 2020.
Sapphire Shadow

"Euphoria" star Alexa Demie's on-screen character Maddy Perez is known for her daring, bedazzled beauty. The actor translated that vibe into her own red-carpet look earlier this year in the form of a glimmery sapphire eye shadow, which she balanced with satiny nude lips and voluminous lashes. Love the drama.

Matchy-Matchy

Lucy Boynton made her penchant for inventive beauty looks known throughout 2019, so what better way to honor her creativity than by emulating her matchy-matchy makeup on New Year's Eve? Tone-on-tone pinkish purple can be swept across the eyes — bonus points for bringing it all the way up to the brow bone, like Boynton — and the lips for plenty of impact.

Not-So-Subtle Hair Color

Ending the year (and the decade) with a shocking new hair color seems like a particularly badass beauty move. Cynthia Erivo's lavender, closely-cropped look topped our inspiration boards in 2019, and we can only hope to bring that same f*ck-it energy into the coming year. A bevy of temporary and semi-permanent sprays, masks and treatments make getting not-so-subtle color surprisingly simple.

All Tied Up

If anyone knows a thing or two about hair accessories, it's Tessa Thompson. She changes her hair up quite often, usually with an assist from hairstylist Lacy Redway, who was behind this sleek, ribbon-adorned ponytail. Even if you're not working with the ample length Thompson has, tying a few bows can go a long way toward zhuzhing up a standard hairstyle.

Middle-Part Ponytail

Another way to spice up a typical ponytail is by accenting it with a precise center part, like Rosalía did at this year's Latin Grammy Awards. A silk hair tie will mitigate any hair damage and a strong and flexible — but not crunchy — gel will keep everything in place. Plus, your hair will be out of your face so you can focus on more important things, like actually having fun and not losing your friends at the New Year's Eve party.

Diffused Berry-Red Lip

Yes, a red lip is classic and timeless, but Indya Moore's slightly diffused, warmer version is a nice update. Instead of applying lip color straight from the tube, use a brush for more precise control, and then gently diffuse the edges by running a cotton swab over the pigment. For this kind of a bold color, starting with smooth, exfoliated lips is key — so we highly recommend a quick scrub and some lip balm beforehand. (All the better for midnight smooching, too.)

More-is-More Hair Accessories

Janelle Monáe is not one for a run-of-the-mill red carpet look, and this year's Harper's Bazaar Icons party was no exception. Why wear one or two hair accessories when you can pile them on? Stick with one style or a theme (pearls, silver, gold) and then just go for it.