The Best Makeup Of 2012

We can talk for DAYS about gorgeous red carpet dresses, cop-worthy street style, and outlandish performance outfits, but when it comes down to it, it's really the details that can send an ensemble over the edge. Makeup is a key component—bright pink lips brighten an all black outfit just as a a swipe of black eyeliner adds drama to an otherwise staid daytime look. So from goth lips, to straight-up face paint, we've pored over the year's most note-worthy beauty trends (of course hair is another post ENTIRELY) to bring you the best of the best from the past 12 months.

BRIGHT TEAL LIDS:

Chloë Moretz on Nov. 9, Katy Perry on Nov. 29, and Nicki Minaj on Aug. 29.
Photo: Getty Images

When you want to add a burst of color to your makeup routine, we know it's easy to default to a bright pink lipstick and call it day, but there are other options, people! Chloë Moretz,Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj rendered their peepers even prettier by applying a line of electric teal on their lids for a lovely glow. Chloë paired her neon liner with a touch of blush (but not even a lick of lipstick), which complements (but doesn't overshadow) her bright yellow Versace for H&M shift dress. Katy always has fun when it comes to her beauty game (I mean, she does have pink hair!), so she took her blue cat eye to new heights by pairing it with glossy magenta lips, extra voluminous top and bottom lashes, and dark, full brows.Nicki's head-to-toe neon ensemble just wouldn't be complete without neon makeup, hence her million-mile lashes with heavy teal lids and light pink lips. Even her hair boasted hints of the bright stuff!