12 Graduation Makeup Looks to Wear in 2023

Graduation season is finally here! You’ve worked hard for this moment, and your graduation makeup for the big day should go hard too. 

You may have spent countless hours of study, taken plenty of exams, and put in a lot of effort to get to graduation day. You’ll want to cherish it forever and remember it fondly when you look back years later. 

The day should feel easy and effortless, but of course, there is a slight bit of pressure. You only get one chance to walk the stage, so there’s only one chance to get a photo of you accepting your diploma. You’ll also probably want to take tons of pictures with your family and friends in your cap and gowns too. 

What if we said you can have the best of both worlds? Trying a simple but photo-friendly makeup look ahead of time can allow you to wake up the day of, do what you practiced, and go. You don’t have to try something super out of your comfort zone or new to you on the day of, but testing out some different makeup techniques can help you achieve a look you love and find flattering in photos.

So, grab your makeup brushes and scroll on to see some graduation makeup ideas. Feel free to pick a favorite, combine a few, and see what goes best with your graduation dress. Most importantly, don’t forget to do skin care!

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Since graduation is late spring or early summer, you may not have that sun-kissed glow yet. Try a warm bronzer under the cheeks and jaw. If you want a cohesive look, you can also use the same hue in the creases of your eyelids for more definition.

Sometimes, all you need is just a little bit of eyeshadow to go a long way. Try a semi-sheer swipe of a neutral or metallic shimmer eyeshadow. It's easy to do on graduation day morning and has an effortless chic effect.

Eyeliner can be hard. We know. If you struggle with getting your eyeliner just right, it might be safer to just go with a full set of lashes for just as much glam without the stress.

If you can't let go of eyeliner that easily, we understand. Another way to lessen the pressure of getting the perfect wing on graduation day is to opt to line your water line. It allows you to still adjust the shape of your eye, but it's easy to do since you just have to follow your waterline.

If you really want to have an eyeliner wing but are worried about getting it picture perfect, opt for a simple small wing. This super cute look can still help you contour your eye shape, but it is easier to perfect and any mistakes will be a lot smaller and less noticeable.

OK. If you really, really, really want a thick, dramatic wing but worry about getting it perfect for the special day, you can always try a smoked out wing. Instead of agonizing over perfectly sharp lines, try grabbing a brush and blending it out. The softer edges will lessen the pressure while allowing you to still get the dramatic flair.

A matte base can be daunting, but it may be your saving grace if your graduation is under harsh fluorescent lighting or the sun. Bring the shade yourself with cloud skin.

Before you put down your highlight brush next time you're doing your makeup, try to tap the excess product in your inner corners. This is a great way to bring your look all together and brighten the face. It's also super easy and chic, so you can finish your grad glam early and have plenty of time left over for pictures.

The red lip is a bolder look, but you can feel confident knowing it's a classic. It's also a great option if you'd like to go lighter on the eyes but don't want to look less done up. Just make sure to not get any on your teeth!

Color theory is hard. Mixing and matching different eyeshadows, blushes, and lip colors can be daunting, especially for a big day. Play it safe with a monochrome look. Use the same color — preferably a soft pink, peach, red, or brown — all over for a cohesive look.

For a softer glam look, opt for a brown eyeliner like Lila Moss recommends. You can still do a strong wing to get your desired eye look, but it will feel less intense thanks to the softer hue.

To brighten up the eyes and look more awake, try lining the eyes with a white pencil eyeliner. Like Dua Lipa, you can also add a touch of highlight in the inner corners and a swipe of glitter on the center of the lid from lash line to above the crease to complete the look. This simple trick could help you get your ideal glam and only takes a few moments.  

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