Special occasions like Valentine’s Day are a great excuse to step up your look, but on such an up close and personal occasion it’s all about looking your best without looking overdone.  A great night out is all about boosting your natural beauty with barely-there products and makeup artist tricks that enhance instead of distract.  And don’t forget to have a little fun!

 

1. Be Kiss-Proof and Blushing

There’s nothing worse than sticky gloss or intense lipstick messing up the perfect kiss!  Try a long-lasting stain like Vincent Longo Lip and Cheek Stain to bring out your lips’ natural color, then layer on your favorite balm.  This product is also ideal for creating a natural looking blushed cheek.  For easiest application, apply right after your favorite tinted moisturizer or foundation, which helps make the stain more blendable for flawless application.

 

2. Boost Your Flutter

It’s easy to get glamorous lashes without layering on mascara.  British mascara brand Eyeko just landed Stateside (Alexa Chung is a fan), and makes full lashes easy with their effortless eyelash curler that boosts lash shape and opens eyes. Their Curl and Hold Mascara is one of my cult favorites – it’s like a perm for your lashes and only requires one coat to create a lush look.

 

3. Go in the Buff

I’m referring to your eye look, of course!  Nude palettes are one of this season’s must-haves, and let you create a naturally contoured eye with fool-proof colors that look great on all complexions.  Lorac’s Private Affair Palette comes with an eye primer to make your eye look last, and contains a stunning array of neutral shadows.  Try swapping out your normal eyeliner for a soft line of the deep plum shade for a soft, yet sultry look.

 

4. Show Your Soft Side

Beautiful hair is touchable hair, so switch up your styling product to a non-sticky formula.  Blowpro’s Serious Nonstick Hairspray has all-night hold and adds gloss, with a soft touch feel that won’t weigh down your hair.

 

5. Let Your Date Choose

With so many fragrance brands offering sample sizes and sets, Valentine’s Day is a great time to try something new without making a commitment. For a fun start to your date, experiment with a set like Dita Von Teese’s trio of scents and offer your wrist to your date to choose their favorite. Scent is intimately connected to memory, so it’s a great start to an unforgettable night!

 

Questions? Ask them in the comments below, or post a photo of your Valentine’s day look! I want to see :heart:

 

Love,

Ann Colville Somma