To quote my favorite modern party girl and philosopher, Charlotte Emma Aitchison (you know her as Charli XCX), “I only threw this party 4 u.” And this party girl makeup? That was mostly for your benefit… but I also threw it on because it’s fun.

This spring, the party girl makeup trend has finally gone mainstream; you can expect to see Fenty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter used as eyeshadow at both the grocery store and the club. And is that a little mascara smeared under your eye?! I love it. So Julia.

Key characteristics of Party Girl Makeup include a little bit of grunginess, fresh skin (no one is layering on foundation if you’re just going to sweat it off on the dance floor), and—of course—glitter. Besides Miss Fox, a few muses include Effie from Skins, Cat Marnell (of course), Slayyyter, Bangerz-era Miley Cyrus, and Kesha.

So, here’s to the party girls. May we know them, may we be them, and may we thank them for raising us. Keep reading for all the information you need to get party girl look this spring, plus some industry icons’ thoughts on why the indie sleaze-inspired style is trending.

The Trend

“Party Girl makeup is the opposite of the ‘clean girl aesthetic.’ Think: Defined or smoky eyes that feel lived in. It’s not about the perfect winged liner, but more about an effortless-looking smoky wing or a black waterline, loads of mascara, and a shimmery, wet-looking eyeshadow on the lids,” explains Donni Davy, Euphoria‘s head makeup artist and the mind behind Half Magic Beauty, which she created to craft this very aesthetic.

LH Cosmetics founder and professional makeup artist Linda Hallberg agrees. “I would say it’s the opposite of clean girl makeup. Perfection is NOT key!” she says. “It’s a messy smoky look with sparkly elements on the eyes or lips.”

During New York Fashion Week, we saw party girl makeup on the runways at Kim Shui and Anna Sui. At the former, key artist Romero Jenning took inspiration from the likes of Fox and Gabbriette to create a “90s-Inspired cool toned sculpted face” with MAC Cosmetics.

“Party Girl makeup is fun because it challenges the notion that makeup should quietly make you look like a better version of yourself,” adds Davy. “Instead, Party Girl makeup is all about making you look like a more fun and wild version of yourself, so it’s cathartic and transformational! Maybe it’s trending right now because everyone is bored out of their minds from the clean girl aesthetic.”

The Inspiration

Another reason the look is trending now? We’re still riding the high of a decidedly not-boring Brat summer, baby.

“2024 was truly an amazing year for pop music and with pop music comes the best makeup! It feels young and it’s so fun to wear messy makeup,” explains celebrity makeup artist Alex French, a party girl genius who says we *definitely* have Charli XCX’s most recent album to thank for the trend.

“It allowed us to be messy and have fun and truly not care what anyone thinks. This year is also the return of maximal makeup in the best way, thanks again to pop music. Sweaty, messy glam is chic and achievable and it also allows us to tap into a certain persona we don’t get to be on the regular,” French adds.

How to Get the Look

“This is Level 1 easy: Half Magic Beauty’s Sparkle Stik eyeshadow crayon in Noir or Never creates the perfect smoked out black sparkly liner, or a super easy smoky eye. Then I’d layer Glitterpuck Pressed Fairy Dust on top of that for even more sparkle. I guarantee, your eyes will look mesmerizing,” Davy says.

As for that wet shadow look she mentioned? Half Magic’s viral Duo Chrome Eyeshadows are here for you.

“Try the most popular shade Blushing Lizard—it looks great on everyone!” says the artist. “Party Girl makeup is meant to stand out, shimmer in the low light, and make it look like you don’t really give a s–t about looking perfect. It’s about feeling fierce and bold, like you threw makeup on on the way to the party.”

Party Girl Makeup Products

Besides Davy’s own brand (“anything Half Magic is absolutely breathtaking and so glittery it gives me butterflies!!” French attests), there are so many great products out there to build your party girl makeup kit.

“The key products would be a black eyeliner that is blended out with a fingertip, maybe with some added black eyeshadow on top. It’s only a good thing if the eyeshadow creases a bit during the day; it just adds to the look,” says Hallberg. “Then, just add some glitter or rhinestones on top to balance out that grungy feeling.”

We like YSL Beauty’s Lines Liberated 24H Waterproof Eyeliner for a creamy formula that will stay in place for hours of dancing, and the brand’s Lash Clash Mascara for chunky lashes that can be spotted across the club.

The Future of Party Girl Makeup

“My favorite colorful palettes at the moment are Blend Bunny, ColourPop, and Danessa Myricks Colorfix Liquid Eyeshadows. I also have recently been so obsessed with Kiko Milano’s metallic single eyeshadows as well as their palettes,” says French. “My favorite glitters and shimmers to top off the look are currently from Stila: their liquid glitter eyeshadows are to die for. Lastly, Maybelline Sky High Glitter Mascara.”

Party girls aren’t going anywhere. In fact, the special group of people who identify with the label is only growing. The makeup trend, however, will see some slight transformations in the near future.

“Right now it feels more fashion, dark, goth, and sweaty (in the best way),” French says. “For the summer we will keep the glitter, the black eyeliner in the waterline, and the fun makeup and add some light and bright colors—mostly pastels. Metallic pastels will have a huge comeback this year, I feel it in the air.”

Product Picks

YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Uninhibited Brown

$34 at Sephora

Half Magic Sparklestik Eye Crayon

$47 at Amazon

Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in Sultry Muse

View on Viseartparis.com

MAC Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick

View on Ulta