With Valentine’s Day around the corner, whether you’re going for glamour or subtle sophistication, there’s no better time to look irresistible.
Flawless skin is the foundation of any perfect face. Start with foundation (try Cover Girl’s Clean Makeup) or a tinted moisturizer if you prefer something lighter (try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20). Blend with a foundation brush for a sheer, smooth, and fresh complexion.
Put a small amount of concealer under the eyes with a concealer brush so that it doesn’t settle into creases (try Sonia Kashuk’s Hidden Agenda). Or, if using your fingers, tap it under your eyes very gently. To help prevent smudging, apply a tiny amount of powder (I mean tiny!).
Liquid eyeliner is a great way to glam it up! Use a liquid eyeliner with a short brush or felt tip. Both are great for precise application (try Bobbi Brown’s Ink Liner). When, applying, tilt your head back to get a better view of your lid in the mirror. Draw a thin line up against the top lash line, right up against the lashes. You can build on that and go thicker. To add some pizzaz, extend the line just past your eye, right before you hit the outer corner of your lid. This will give you a little wing, a la Taylor Swift.
For eye shadow, start with a more intense shade on the lid and crease, blending with a lighter shade as you go up and out. Use an angled brush for the lid and crease and a soft smudge brush to blend. If you are feeling daring, use a bold purple shade (try MAC’s Plum Dressing) blended with a lighter mauve (try MAC’s Girlie). For something softer, use a soft brown (try Maybelline’s Nutmeg) blended with a light pink/peach (try Pixi’s Fairy Pink). Use the darker shade under your bottom lashes using a small, angled eye shadow brush. And don’t forget the mascara (try L’Oreal’s Voluminous)!
Give a natural flush to the cheeks by smiling in the mirror and dusting blush on the apples of your cheeks (try Benefit’s Dandelion).
If your date isn’t a fan of lipstick, line and fill in lips with lip liner for a more subtle smooch (try Lancome’s Le Lipstique Lip Pencil). Or, for a touch of shine, use a light lipstick (try Clinique’s Almost Lipstick). For a richer look, line lips with lip liner and follow it up with lipstick in a complimentary color (Try Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense). If you’re up for flying without a net, top off lip liner and lipstick with a shiny gloss (try Urban Decay’s Lip Junkie Lipgloss).
Lock in your look--lightly brush translucent powder all over using a large powder brush (try Physicians Formula Talc-Free mineral Airbrushing Loose Powder SPF 30).
Tis the season for romantic hair and there are a lot of runway looks that are easy to do yourself.
For loose waves, put mousse in while your hair is damp (try Suave Volumizing Mousse) and dry. Use a large-barrel curling iron and curl from the ends to the middle. Run your fingers through it when done for a soft “bedhead” look.
A low ponytail is elegant, sleek, and a great way to show off your face. Pull dry hair into a low ponytail and finish off with a spritz of hairspray to keep it in place (try L’Oreal Elnett).
A messy bun is classy and super hip. Rough up hair with a little wax or pomade (try American Crew Pomade) and put it in a ponytail. Tease the ponytail a bit, wrap it around, and lightly secure with bobby pins.
Braids are a quick easy way to add some style when time is short. Keep hair loose around the face and braid starting at the nape of the neck. Pulling it in the front over the shoulder is an option for longer hair. Pull out some wisps from the side and apply spray gel (try Tigi Rockalholic Styling Hardcore Spray Gel).
The straight, polished look is achieved with a large round brush and a blow dryer using a high setting. Grab a smoothing product to control frizz (try Bumble and Bumble’s Bb.Straight). Section hair into quarters and pin up all except the one you’re working on. Start as close to the root as you can and wrap the brush around your hair. Dry thoroughly to keep the hold.
Don’t forget date-worthy hands!
Today’s contemporary nails are shaped straight across the top with rounded edges.
Color-wise, you can opt for a Valentine’s red (Try Revlon’s classic Cherries In The Snow, Dolce & Gabbana’s Intense Nail Lacquer in Lover, or Essie’s Lollipop). For a more adventurous effect, try a full-cover glitter (try Sally Hansen’s GEM Crush), the latest “shatter” trend (try OPI’s Shatter), or, for a variety of designs, nail polish strips (try Sally Hansen’s Real Nail Polish Strips).
For an easy DIY manicure:
1. Remove old polish.
2. File nails in one direction at a time.
3. Soak hands. Push back cuticles gently with a cuticle stick.
4. Massage in hand lotion and wipe the excess off of your nails.
5. Apply a base coat.
6. Apply a coat of color. Start on one side of the nail, do the other, then the middle. After it’s dried, apply a second coat.
7. Finish off with a top coat.
Now that you are looking your radiant best, go take on the night!
Make up artist Laurie Gail can be reached at lauriegail@me.com.