19 Gold Makeup Looks That Are Brilliant (and Totally Wearable)

Most beauty trends are fleeting, but gold makeup is timeless, thanks to its versatility. It looks great on all skin tones and, let’s be honest, there’s nothing like sweeping the metallic pigment across your eyes, lips, or cheeks to brighten up a dreary day.

But we get it, gold can be intimidating, with its opulence and eye-catching luster. Makeup artist Rose Gallagher assures us, however, that wearing gold makeup is easier than you might think. “You don’t have to look like you’re absolutely smothered in glitter,” she says, and suggests starting with a wash of gold across your lids or a flick of gold liner along the lash line.

The eyes aren’t the only place you can experiment with gold. Paint on a gilded lip or dust a gold highlighter along your cheek and brow bones. Says New York City-based makeup artist Joseph Carrillo, layering a true gold powder highlighter on your cheeks under a bronzer or blush will give you a “perfect sun-gold glow.” 

Ahead, you’ll find 19 stunning gold-makeup ideas for moments when you want to shine.

Golden Smoky Eyes

Not sure what to pair with your golden eye shadow? Blend it with black for a high-impact take on smoky eyes. Makeup artist Kaylinn Bihari layers sharp, winged eyeliner and graphic lines for added drama. 

Golden Sunset

For a high-impact eye look like this one, pack a yellow-gold eye shadow (such as the shade Gold in the Makeup by Mario’s Master Metals Palette) onto your lids with a dense brush. If you want to increase the color payoff and better blend your eye pigment, add a few drops of mixing medium (like the Mehron Mixing Liquid).

Center Sparkle 

For a look that takes center stage on any occasion, apply gold glitter to just the center of the lid and lower lash line. It will add an eye-catching element to a subtle neutral or peach lid.

Luxe Lashes 

If you enjoy experimenting with makeup, you’ll love this look by model Taylor Ruhe, which features a cat-eye and exaggerated lower lashes drawn with gold eyeliner.

Bejeweled Gold 

Your gold eye shadow doesn't have to be vivid to make a statement. Sandwich it between chocolate tones and add Euphoria-esque embellishments for an earthy look with flair.

Glimmering Inner Corners

Finish off a neutral eye shadow look with a few taps of gold on the inner corners of your eyes. The areas of shimmer may be tiny, but they are mighty.

Sultry, Bronzed Eyes

Get date-night ready with this look by makeup artist Caoimhe Duggan, which blends gold pigment with bronze eye shadow. 

Gold Gradient

Whether you’re headed to a party or to the supermarket, this gradient of gold will earn you some “oohs” and “aahs.” Makeup artist Stephanie Ponce blends shades of gold into a green-toned shimmer that tapers into a sharp cat-eye.

Gilded Brows  

Not ready to commit to the bleached brows trend? We don’t blame you. But if you’re still itching to try something new with your brows, try this gilded look, which can be achieved with just makeup. Blend loose gold pigment with a few drops of mixing medium to create a smooth formula you can brush into your brows (soap brow style) using a spoolie. 

Gold Grunge

This makeup — which combines a gold lid and smudged underliner — strikes the perfect balance between bright and grungy. 

Want more makeup inspiration? Watch Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan's glam routine: 

Opulent Eyes

Bridal-makeup artist Sarah Régnier makes the case for wearing gold eye shadow on your wedding day. The high-shine gold eye look is a memorable accent to otherwise soft glam.

Shimmering Halo

Looking to add even more gold to your wedding mood board? This golden-halo eye makeup is angelic — and perfectly matches this bride’s accessories. 

Gold Accents 

This is yet another example of how gold can be incorporated into a soft makeup look. Makeup artist Saba Khan wears the color on her lids, where it complements her glossy lips and the natural finish of her complexion makeup.

Foiled Undereyes

Gold leaf can elevate any look — and this makeup by artist Kayla Scheffler is proof. Scheffler used Fenty Beauty’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife all over her lids and gold leaf below her lower lash line.

Smoky Shapes

Take your smoky eye to the next level with this look, which features curves along the inner and outer corners made from dark eye shadow.

Disco Lids 

Skip shimmer and shadows altogether and go straight to chunky glitters. Adding a golden highlighter along your brow and cheekbones will have you glistening like a disco ball.

Glitzy Lips

Sweep a layer of gold glitter-flecked gloss on top of your lipstick to add glamor and shine. This look features a raspberry lip, but Carrillo says you can also wear gold glitter on top of neutrals. “I use a Q-tip to dab on Pat McGrath EYEdol Eyeshadow in Gold Standard — barely enough to kiss the Cupid's bow — and blend it out so that it’s a subtle, soft wash.”

Sunset Makeup

Gold highlighter can add “oomph” to makeup that’s already glowy. Case in point: This sunset-colored eye shadow look, made more striking with shimmering gold highlights along the cheeks and lids.

Go for Gold

MAC cosmetics makeup artist Fatima Thomas created an epic, monochromatic gold makeup look, featuring the hue on the inner corners of the eyes and lips. 

More eye-catching makeup looks and products, ahead:

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