Is your party makeup ageing you? Makeup artists' 9 things to avoid

The 2025 party season is about to reach its annual crescendo - with many of us donning our glad rags and rolling out our most glamorous looks ahead of New Year's Eve.

When it comes to makeup, it's traditionally a night to go bold - with red lipstick, shimmering eyeshadow and striking contouring regarded as the best way to turn heads.

However, according to one professional makeup artist, opting for overly dramatic makeup can actually make you look older than you are.

Iryna Khomyakova says the biggest mistake people often make ahead of a big night out is to forget that old adage, that less is usually more.

Iryna, who works at Chelsea's Backstage Salon and has more than 20 years experience, told the Daily Mail it's tempting to overdo it when it comes to seasonal glam - but subtlety is key if your aim is to look more youthful.

She explains that even slightly overegging dark eyeshadow can accentuate creases and too much foundation will make skin appear drier - which is associated with ageing.

'Christmas party makeup should feel celebratory, glowing and confidence-boosting - not heavy or ageing,' the makeup artist said.

Here, the pro MUA, lists the nine most common makeup mistakes people make when glamming up for a major date in the calendar...

 1.  Don't overdo the smoky eye

'Natural' everyday makeup is all about pinks, browns and light shades. But when a party comes around, the smoky eyeshadow comes out to play.

Iryna advises staying away from dark colours as 'dense heavily packed shadow can weigh the eyes down, especially if there's any hooding or fine lines'.

If you're going for a smoky effect, stick to a softer look with warmth to lift the eye, she advises. 

2. Go gentle on the eyeliner 

The thickness and colour of eyeliner can completely transform your face. 

If you're going for a classic black, then don't apply liner to both the upper and lower lash, as Iryna says this 'can close the eyes and draw attention to shadows and fine lines'.  

Alternatively, 'lifting the liner on the outer corner or keeping the lower lash line soft instantly opens the eye'.

3. Beware too much matt concealer under the eyes

When you're getting ready to dance the night away, the last thing you want showing on your face is undereye bags.

A few dots of concealer and those puffy circles are all but gone - but ensure you're using the right product and amount or you'll teeter on the edge of 'cakey'. 

Says our pro: 'Full-coverage matt concealers can look flawless in daylight but unforgiving at night as the product can settle into fine lines and emphasise texture.'

Instead, swap out a matt, heavy formula for a lightweight, radiant concealer, she advises. 

4. Foundation that's too heavy for evening wear

Any makeup guru knows the perfect base starts and ends with foundation. 

For the full-coverage makeup lovers out there, be warned that piling on too many layers can actually accentuate natural lines. 

'Heavy, full-coverage bases sit in pores and lines and can look mask-like by the end of the evening,' Iryna explains, while a lighter base tends to gives a youthful glow. 

5. Don't over-powder 'just in case'

After applying a full face of makeup, you might add a touch of powder or setting spray to keep your look lasting well into the night and reduce the need for a retouch later on. 

But as with any makeup product, overdoing it can be easily done. 

'It's tempting to lock everything in with powder before heading out, but too much removes natural glow and makes skin look flat,' Iryna explains, adding excess powder can also 'make the skin look tired'. 

6. Go subtle on lip liner

'Deep berry and wine shades are Christmas classics, but when paired with a harsh lip line they can make lips look thinner and exaggerate lines around the mouth,' Iryna points out. 

She recommends making the edges of your lips softer or adding a gloss to lessen the impact of a liner. 

7. Ditch overly defined brows 

Thick, defined brows were all the rage back in 2016. 

But according to Iryna, heavy brows 'dominate the face and harden features'. 

Flash forward to 2025 and natural, feather brows are in. 

'Christmas makeup is at its best when brows are softly defined and slightly brushed up for lift,' the makeup artist says. 

8. Go for warmth, not harsh contouring

The perfect combination of bronzer, blush and highlight can magically transform your face and define features with the flick of a brush. 

But Iryna warns contouring heavily 'can drag the face downward and emphasise hollows' in your skin. 

She recommends: 'For festive makeup, warmth and subtle shaping are far more flattering - think softly bronzed skin rather than sharp shadows.'

9. Overshimmer at your peril

Who doesn't love a touch of glitter for a party? After all, what screams 'glamour' more than a little shimmer? 

When it comes to makeup though, Iryna warns 'shimmer should enhance, not magnify'.  

'Frosty or chunky glitter placed on areas with fine lines, especially around the eyes, can draw attention to texture,' she explains.