The day of love is just a heartbeat away, and it’s the perfect excuse to get glam in the name of romance. Whether you’re in a relationship or single and ready to mingle, fall in love with these five makeup looks that will have you looking and feeling like a heartthrob this Valentine’s Day.
1. Get your class act together
Cupid’s a classy guy, so pulling out a chic, classic look composed of red lips and a fresh face will be just the thing to convince him to pull out that bow on Valentine’s Day. Sharifah Juliana, a makeup artist and beauty expert, offers advice for how to achieve this look.
Juliana suggests starting off with beautiful skin, so keep yours fresh and flawless with a primer like Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36) followed by foundation and concealer. Try Juliana’s favorite, Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($42) and Concealer ($29). Next, make your features pop by highlighting and contouring with the NARS Contour Blush Duo ($42).
Now the fun really begins!
“We all know it's all about the lashes when you want to get your flirt on,” Juliana says. “My favorite [falsies are] LASHFIX by Color Secrets ($3.99). They’re handmade and 100 percent Remy hair and so beautiful and soft and give you lashes for days without looking heavy.”
Remy hair, which is considered to be the finest quality of human hair, will be just the thing to frame those pretty windows to your soul.
Dust a touch of rosy color on your cheeks (Juliana suggests the NARS Blush in Orgasm [$30]), then swipe on some MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($16) for a perfect red lip, and you’ll be giving movie stars a run for their money.
2. Wear your heart on your lips
They don’t call it the Cupid’s bow for nothing! Complement your lips’ natural shape with a cute heart design. This is perfect for the Valentine’s Day enthusiast who wants to make a statement and spread some love around.
First, use a lip pencil like Sephora’s Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner ($13) in The Red to draw a heart outline on your lips so that the heart looks whole when you close your mouth. (Pro tip: No need to draw outside the lines with this one! This heart should fit fully on your natural lips.) Fill it in with the lip pencil. Then whip out a tube of lipstick like L’Oréal’s Colour Riche Lipcolour in British Red ($8.95) to fill in the heart one more time. If you want to mix things up, don’t be afraid to try out other colors like bright pinks and orangey reds. Check out this tutorial from xoVain for step-by-step instructions on how to perfect this gorgeous pout!
3. Make your mauve
Pretty in purple is the new pretty in pink. The color mauve is making a splash in cosmetics this spring, so jump on the trend early with a romantic light mauve eye shadow that will make heads swivel!
“This look is great for the beginner who wants a pop of color without fuss,” Juliana says. “Starting as usual with flawless skin, the focus here is on a simple wash color on the eye; no contouring is needed.”
Sonia Kashuk’s Monochrome Eye Quad in Textured Mauve ($13.69) is the perfect pick for this job, especially for the hazel- or green-eyed romantics out there who want their eyes to really pop. Apply the shadow lightly onto your eyelids for a more subtle color or more opaquely to make a bold statement.
“Lightly brush a similar color on the apples of the cheeks, apply a few strokes of your favorite mascara and dab the lips with a pretty gloss such as Stila's Lip Glaze ($22),” Juliana says.
4. Hold your smolder
Chocolate is the answer to everything – even to what makeup to wear for Valentine’s Day. Give a nod to the oh-so-delicious sweets with a smoldering bronze smoky eye. It works for every eye color! Plus, this style is long lasting and will keep you looking your best all day.
First, apply a soft sweep of medium bronze or taupe shadow over your eyelids and along the bottom lash line. Layer a deeper bronze like MAC’s Eye Shadow in Bronze ($16) over the outer third of the lid and lower lash line. Add a dab of gold using L’Oréal’s Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine ($7.99) to the middle of your upper lid and then line your eyes with a coppery brown eye pencil like Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Smog ($20). Put on a couple of coats of your favorite black mascara, and voila!
But wait – this look wouldn’t be complete without some gorgeous lips. Luckily, celebrity makeup artist Stella Kae has the perfect solution.
“I love looks that involve lip stain so you can kiss without making a mess!” Kae says. “Try tarte’s LipSurgence matte lip tint in fiery ($24) with a bronze smoky eye.” This bright pop of color is the perfect contrast to the more neutral-colored smoky eye, and the two shades will complement each other just like strawberries and chocolate.
Whether you’re hanging out with your bae or staying in with your girlfriends, this look will keep you looking fabulous all day and all night.
5. Bare your soul (and face)
You could also ditch all the drama this year in favor of a minimal, clean look. In fact, this is Kae’s favorite style! Try going for a dewy skin, a full brow and a neutral matte lip. Kae suggests lightly applying Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint ($26) for a fresh, barely-there look. To complete this simple but put-together makeup look, swipe on some nude lipstick like NARS’ Satin Lipstick in Honolulu Honey ($26). Embrace your natural beauty this Valentine’s Day! You know your significant other and your friends absolutely love you just the way you are.
Whether you’re looking to do a little something for yourself or catch a special someone’s eye on Valentine’s Day, snatch up the chance to kiss and makeup with these heart-stopping styles this February 14. Who knows, maybe you won’t be the only one falling in love with these looks!