Makeup trends popularized by TikTok and other social media often surface fully formed. However, some trends catch on before everyone is on the same page about what they are. The martini makeup trend seems to have emerged after makeup artist Claudia Neacsu shared a video with the hashtag that racked up over 620k views on TikTok in just a few weeks. Inspired by the color of a martini and its accompanying olives, this look is ideal for going out and feeling glam with your girlfriends over a couple of cocktails. We talked to Neacsu and other professional makeup artists to get their take on the trend, but your biggest takeaway should be that you can make this trend your own.
What is martini makeup?
“It’s girls’ night, and you just ordered a dirty martini, but make it your makeup look. This look has olive green tones on the eyes with liners and shadows, and either a glossy lip to keep the look glamorous or a bold red lip like the pimento stuffed inside the olive that is in your martini,” says celebrity makeup artist Allison Kaye of her take on the look.
“When I created my martini makeup look, I had no idea there would be a trend created around it,” Neacsu tells us. To her, martini makeup leans into “that feminine luxurious feel and energy that you have when enjoying a dirty martini cocktail at the bar with your friends.” Celebrity makeup artist Brittney Foley feels the trend is all about the eyes. It’s a “way to accentuate and play up the eyes that results in the eyes looking more elongated and mysterious,” she says.
Pro tips for achieving the martini makeup trend
Neacsu says proper blending is essential to nail this look, so take your time with it. “Make sure your eyeliner is well blended before applying the eyeshadow on top. Otherwise the eyeshadow will apply patchy,” she says. “Work step by step for each eye: apply the eyeliner and blend, then move to the next eye, apply the liner and blend and so on.” At the end, spritz a setting spray on top of the metallic pigment for extra intensity and shine, she suggests.
To get the look, Foley advises creating a soft-cut crease and thin winged liner with shadow. Then apply eyeliner in the water line to further emphasize the mysterious look. Kaye recommends starting with a matte green eyeshadow on the outer corners and in your crease. “Then take a green eyeliner and continue to smoke out the eyes even more, and top your lid with a sparkly green eyeshadow,” she adds. The face base is a glamorous look, so Kaye suggests a contour, bronzer, blush and highlighter. She notes she’s seen glam high gloss nude lips as well as bold red lips with this look.
Expert-approved products to get the look
“The first and most important thing you need when creating this look is a dark green eyeliner. This will help you create the elongated eye shape and also really make your eyes pop because of the contrast,” says Neacsu. She uses Natasha Denona Macro Tech Eye Crayon High Pigment Pencil Eyeliner ($24). Kaye advocates for Charlotte Tilbury Matte & Metallic Double-Ended Eyeliner – Eye Color Magic Collection in Green Lights ($32). “One end is a matte darker green, and the other end is a metallic green that is the exact color of the olive in your dirty martini.” Make Beauty Continuum Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Gamma Ray ($23) is another perfect martini-esque eyeliner shade for this look.
When it comes to eyeshadow, both Neacsu and Kaye love Natasha Denona Yucca Eyeshadow Palette ($69). Neacsu uses it to “blend the eyeliner as well as to add the metallic olive pop on the center of the eyelids.” Although Kaye says the entire Yucca palette is perfect for the look if you’re just trying to find a green shade, the one in Makeup By Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette ($50) is a great option. If you’re not interested in purchasing a whole new palette Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow ($21) in Freak and Psych are easy to grab.
To get a crisp crease, Foley recommends the Crease Piece Cut Crease Creation Kit ($25). She says it helps people of all skill levels cut a crease easily. “Lastly, you want to finish off by using a black or even dark green mascara for a monochrome look,” says Neacsu, who uses L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara ($13). L’Oreal also has a Deep Green option in Voluminous Original Washable Mascara ($11). To seal it all and amp up the intensity, Neacsu puts setting spray on a brush and applies it.
