The latest beauty trend comes with a twist: ‘Martini makeup’

Some like it shaken, not stirred. Some like it dirty. No matter what, this makeup fad is neat.

Setting the bar high with bold shadows, look-at-me lip colors and shimmering shades, beauty buffs are binging out on the #MartiniMakeup trend.

And social media’s drinking it all in. 

Martini makeup is a thing now,” announced NYC makeup artist Brittney Foley, 30, in a trending tutorial dedicated to the cocktail-inspired look. “It’s the exact opposite of the strawberry makeup trend, and a bit more leaning into the unapproachable makeup trend.”

The cheers-worthy glam, which has poured in a staggering 1.5 million views beneath its eponymous TikTok hashtag, sees women painting up their faces to replicate the luxuriously chic style of the ever-buzzy alcoholic beverage in their preferred fashion — be it a classic martini, a dirty martini, or even an espresso martini. 

Cosmetics connoisseurs with a taste for the hard stuff are achieving the look with sharp eyeliner wings, glittery powders on the hood of the eye and, for those who like it extra briny, eye-catching pops of olive shadows. 

“It’s all about creating a makeup look that matches your drink of choice,” beauty influencer Zoe Kim Kenealy, 27, from Boston, explained to The Post. She first coined the “dirty martini makeup” movement in November 2022.


(Left) Zoe Kim Kenealy enjoying a martini. (Center) A martini glass filled with makeup products. (Right) Makeup artist Brittney Foley applying her martini makeup.
Social media influencers like Zoe Kim Kenealy (left) and Brittney Foley (right) are beautifying themselves to resemble the chic lusciousness of a martini in the TikTok-viral #MartiniMakeup trend.
NY Post photo composite

Kenealy previously pioneered popular primping fads such as “Cold Girl” makeup, which saw hot girls paint their faces to mimic an Après-ski glow, and the “crying” makeup craze that motivated women to adorn their mugs with faux sorrow to feign a doe-like softness.  

But the brunette says the martini mania is rooted creating a lush mood. 

“When I’m ordering a dirty martini at a bar, I feel bold, fancy and luxurious,” she said. “This makeup trend recreates that energy for the perfect photo.”


A martini with olives.
Online, the hashtag #MartiniMakeup has amassed over 1.5 million TikTok views.
Stephen Yang

A bartender preparing an alcoholic beverage.
Participants in the makeup trend are creating looks inspired by martinis of all flavors.
Stefano Giovannini

An espresso martini.
#MartiniMakeup users are applying glittery shadows, colorful powder and head-turning lip colors to their faces.
Shutterstock / Alexander Prokopenko

Claudia Neacsu, 27, a beauty content creator from the UK, scored over 658,000 TikTok views on footage of her martini makeup artistry.

Per the video, Neacus used a variety of green shades from Natasha Denona’s Yucca eyeshadow palette ($69), as well as the brand’s Macro Tech eye crayon in color “Willow” ($24) and L’Oréal’s Telescopic mascara ($11.99). 

“Omg! This is a def must try! [Running] to my vanity!,” commented an awestruck onlooker. 

“Stunning,” said another. 

“Just Wow,” wrote an equally impressed viewer, who punctuated their approval with the “martini glass” emoji. 

However, the trend has, too, garnered a round of sobering responses from unmoved critics. 

“It’s just regular a- – makeup,” groaned naysayer named Alexa, 23, who’s seemingly exhausted by the steady flow of kitschy cosmetic fusses. 

“Please don’t make [martini makeup] a thing,” begged detractor Krissy P in a separate snippet. “I am so sick and tired of these makeup trends.”


Zoe Kim Kenealy enjoying her martini.
Kenealy tells The Post that makeup trends go viral based on their fun names and descriptive tutorials on TikTok.

But in response to the shade, Kenealy tells The Post that giving movements catchy names — like martini makeup, latte makeup and unapproachable makeup — is what builds the beauty community. 

“Every trend needs a fun title,” she said. “There’s no value in giving a video a very basic and simple title.”

“We’re all just having fun,” added Kenealy. “People shouldn’t take it so seriously.