Disco ball on the cheekboneSilver gray, white, blue. A ball of small squares with a hanging line to the temple, four shine stars around it.
Linked rings in gold, silver and blue along the jawGold, silver gray, blue. Seven linked paper-chain rings along one jawline from ear to chin, colors in turn.
Spinning record with a gold label on the cheekBlack, gold, white. A black disc on the cheek with thin groove rings, a gold middle and a white shine curve.
Calendar page flipping overWhite, black, red. A tear-off page on the cheek showing 1, its corner curling up, red header band.
Clock hands meeting at twelve above one browBlack, gold. Two hands point straight up above one brow, twelve small ticks arching over them toward the hairline.
Countdown numerals down one cheek, final digit in goldSilver gray, gold. Three digits stacked from cheekbone to jaw, the 1 in gold with rays around it.
Crescent inside a ring of twelve dashesSilver gray, white. A crescent on the cheek inside a ring of twelve small dashes.
Dropping ball of light on a poleSilver gray, white, gold. A faceted ball on a thin pole on the cheek, short rays, three ticks down the pole.
Gold-rimmed clock at five to midnight on the cheekGold, black, white. A white circle with a gold rim, twelve ticks, two black hands almost together at the top.
Midnight bell with motion linesGold, black. A bell tilted on the cheek, clapper showing, three curved ring lines each side.
The new year's numerals across the foreheadGold, black. The four digits of the year in block numerals above the brows, black drop shadow.
Out with the old, in with the new: two yearsGray, gold. Last year's two end digits small and gray on one cheek, the new ones large and gold on the other.
Round watch with a crown knob, chain over the cheekboneGold, white, black. A round watch on the cheek with a crown knob, its chain looping up over the cheekbone.
Sand timer nearly run out, three dots still droppingGold, black, white. An hourglass on the cheek, sand heaped at the bottom, three dots still dropping.
Twelve on a starry circleMidnight blue, gold. A blue circle on the cheek with a gold 12 in the middle, dots around the rim.
Party 12
Balloon bunch on the cheekGold, silver gray, black. Three balloons on strings tied in a bow, a white shine on each.
Confetti over the foreheadGold, silver gray, blue. Dots, squares and short dashes scattered from temple to temple.
Disco ball on the cheekboneSilver gray, white, blue. A ball of small squares with a hanging line to the temple, four shine stars around it.
Five gold loops with a dot on each peak, over the browsGold, white. Five loops with a dot on each peak from temple to temple, tallest in the middle.
Linked rings in gold, silver and blue along the jawGold, silver gray, blue. Seven linked paper-chain rings along one jawline from ear to chin, colors in turn.
Masquerade mask kept clear of the eyesBlack, gold. A mask outline over brow bones and upper cheeks, wide open eye holes, a gold scroll at each temple.
Paper hat at the hairlineGold, midnight blue, silver gray. A cone hat tilted above one brow with stripes and a pom-pom on top.
Party blower unrolling across the cheekGold, blue, white. A striped paper tube curls out from the mouth corner toward the ear.
Party popper with stars flying from the open endGold, red, silver gray. A small cone popper on the cheek, its string hanging down, stars and dots flying out.
Spinning record with a gold label on the cheekBlack, gold, white. A black disc on the cheek with thin groove rings, a gold middle and a white shine curve.
Streamers from the templeGold, silver gray, blue. Four curling ribbon lines fall from one temple over the cheek to the jaw.
Top hat and monocle chainBlack, gold. A small top hat above one brow, a gold ring on the upper cheek with a chain to the ear.
Fireworks and stars 12
Corkscrew trail from jaw to temple ending in a burstSilver gray, gold, red. A corkscrew line from the jaw to the temple ending in a small burst.
Dot fans from each brow end, a tiny star at the tipSilver gray, gold. Five dots fan from the outer end of each brow toward the hairline, largest first, a tiny star last.
Dots spraying up from the chin over both cheeksGold, yellow, white. Dots spray up and out from the chin over both cheeks, largest at the top.
Gold firework over one templeGold, yellow, white. Long curved lines burst from the temple and droop over the cheekbone, a dot at each tip.
Gold star circled by twelve white dotsGold, white. A gold star on the cheek, white outline, twelve dots in a circle around it.
Midnight sky band across the brow bonesMidnight blue, gold, white. A blue band from temple to temple above the lids, gold stars and one burst.
Pinwheel firework spinning on the cheekGold, orange, white. A spinning spiral of dashes from a center dot, sparks flying off the outer edge.
Skyline with bursts aboveBlack, gold, blue. Rooftop shapes along the jaw, two fireworks over the cheek above them.
Small, medium and large bursts from jaw to cheekboneGold, silver gray, blue. Small, medium and large bursts from jaw to cheekbone, dashed trails beneath.
Sparkle crosses on the cheekbonesWhite, silver gray. Four-point sparkles in three sizes along each cheekbone.
Star shower from the hairlineGold, white. Seven stars fall from the hairline over one side of the forehead, tails behind them.
Willow firework trailing to the jawGold, yellow. A burst at the cheekbone whose long trails hang down to the jawline like branches.
How it works
These New Years Eve face painting ideas are 36 designs for one night, in three groups of 12: clocks and countdowns, party favors, and fireworks and stars. The year is written as the year, so the list does not date.
Read the full guide
Clocks, numerals and the countdown
Clocks and countdowns holds Gold-rimmed clock at five to midnight on the cheek, The new year's numerals across the forehead and Countdown numerals down one cheek, final digit in gold. Paint the digits of the year that is about to start.
For a family party
Quick marks 12 designs of a few strokes, for a line of children before midnight: Balloon bunch on the cheek, Confetti over the forehead, Sparkle crosses on the cheekbones, Gold star circled by twelve white dots.
Questions and answers
What colors suit a New Year's Eve face?
Gold, silver gray, black and midnight blue run through the list, with white for stars. Midnight sky band across the brow bones uses blue, gold and white; Balloon bunch on the cheek needs three colors.
Is the masquerade mask painted over the eyes?
No. Masquerade mask kept clear of the eyes is an outline over the brow bones and upper cheeks with wide open eye holes. Nothing in the list goes on an eyelid or along the lashes.
What paint is used, and how does it come off?
Face paint sold for use on skin. The US FDA says not to go to bed with makeup on and to remove it the way the label says.