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The best rainbow makeup looks to get you inspired for Mardi Gras

It’s gay Christmas - let’s celebrate!

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Content Producer / March 04 2022

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And by the most wonderful time of the year, we mean Mardi Gras (aka gay Christmas).

This is not the time to play it fashionably 'safe' people, so pull out your most risque looks, plaster your face in glitter and bright eyeshadow, and fly your rainbow flags high, because we’re celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community with pride.

Soak up some inspo before you hit the rainbow-painted pavement this weekend and enjoy this colourful collection of makeup goodness to whet your appetite before festivities kick off.

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A faceful of gems and jewels is a surefire winner at Mardi Gras. Follow Brooke Candy’s lead and opt for a palette of a few chosen colours or embrace the rainbow and chuck any piece of jewelry you can find on that pretty mug of yours.

Image credit: @deney_adam

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Lil Nas X has shown us all the amazing things you can do with an eyeliner. So even if you can’t get your hands on a handful of magenta glitter, you can still cut some pretty cool shapes using a regular schmegular drugstore liquid eyeliner.

Image credit: @anthonyhnguyenmakeup

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Euphoria queen Zendaya is always a source of inspiration when it comes to far out makeup looks. Makeup artist Raoul Alejandre created this intergalactic dream of a makeup moment for the Dune premiere and we’ve been keeping it in our saved folder ever since for special occasions just like this.

Image credit: @raoulalejandre

4/

As far as decades go, the ‘80s are rife with excellent Mardi Gras makeup fodder. Embrace the blown-out, rich eyeshadow looks of the time during this year’s festival and channel your inner Dynasty b*tch.

Image credit: @zizidonohoe

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If you rock a fat slab of eyeliner every day, then this is the perfect time to truly outdo yourself and paint a massive albatross-level wing on the side of your face. No seriously, if it doesn’t reach your temples, you’re doing it wrong.

Image credit: @yenmakeup_

6/

Fairy princess is a mainstay theme for Mardi Gras as far as we’re concerned. We’re channeling the energy of a mystical woodland nymph during gay Christmas and if anyone tries to stop us we’re casting spells. Pinky promise.

Image credit: @mikelesimonebeauty

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Aussie model Aweng Chuol is slaying this metamorphic glitter moment. We love the bold shape of the eye makeup and matching 3D nail art. Iconic to say the least.

Image credit: @anthonyhnguyenmakeup

8/

Take inspo from an undeniably colourful decade – the ‘80s. With an electric swathe of shades to choose from, it’s a no-brainer in our opinion. Take this drag-inspired look to the next level with face tape ala RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Miss Fame - wig optional of course.

Image credit: @nikki_makeup

9/

Super easy to recreate, this polka dot makeup look is an abstract undoing of the rainbow and we’re loving every second of it.

Image credit: @sweetmutuals

10/

Face meltingly good, this rainbow drip eye look is enhanced with strategically placed jewels, while lowkey lashes allow the vibrant eyeshadow moment the chance to shine.

Image credit: @rowisingh

Want to add some colours of the rainbow to your bonnet? These are the best temporary hair dyes for commitment-free experimentation.

Main image credit: @anthonyhnguyenmakeup

Briar Clark

Briar is a Content Producer at BEAUTYcrew. Her 'down for anything' attitude has resulted in more than a handful of hair transformations, and she doesn't mind being used as a guinea pig for the industry's most unusual products and treatments. Her work has also appeared on Girlfriend and Beauty Heaven.