Graduation: an emotional event that usually takes place outside on a hot day. Doesn’t sound like an ideal event for bold makeup looks, right? Wrong!
No matter how high the thermometer gets or how quickly the tears flow, there’s always a way to make sure your makeup will stay fresh. Read on for five gorgeous and easy-to-rock beauty looks for graduation with tips on how to keep them intact throughout the ceremony.
1. All About the Eyes
Are your eyes your favorite feature? Play them up with this simple look! Emily Aznavourian, owner of Cheekadee makeup artists, suggests you start by applying Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion ($20) all over your lid. “This will help prevent creasing and fading,” she says.
Next, apply an eye shadow shade that is a shade lighter than your skin tone from your lash to your brow. Then, use a waterproof eyeliner, like Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Liner in Black ($23). Then, Aznavourian says to “trace the shape of your eyeball with the darkest brown shade in the Naked Basics palette ($28).
With a shadow liner brush, go over the pencil on the base of the lash line with the black shadow, pulling the color up towards the outer corner of your eye.” Finish off the look with a few coats of black waterproof mascara.
This easy and gorgeous look will definitely make your eyes pop during graduation. It makes a statement but isn’t too bold or heavy for a daytime ceremony.
2. Show Off Your Natural Beauty
Graduation day is all about you, so why not embrace your natural beauty? All you need is a quick dab of some shimmery eye shadow, like Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten ($18), in the corners of your eyes. “This is a soft shimmer that happens to look great on most skin tones,” Aznavourian says. Finish with a swipe of mascara, such as They’re Real! Mascara from Benefit ($10).
For the lips, stick with your favorite gloss in a softer shade, like light pink or nude. Apply a tinted moisturizer, like this one from theBalm ($25), and then brush on a natural bronzer, such as Rimmel London’s Natural Bronzer ($4.99). Sephora’s Translucent Setting Powder ($16) is the finishing touch to this look. It will make sure your light makeup stays fresh all day, no matter the temperature!
3. Bold and Beautiful Brows
Thanks to Cara Delevingne, bold eyebrows are the new “it” beauty look. To get these power brows, use e.l.f.’s Studio Small Angled Brush ($3) to add in brow powder, such as Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo ($23). This helps create the illusion of fuller brows. You can also use a waxy pencil to fill in any spots you missed or to put finishing touches on the shape of your brows. Ramy Cosmetics’ Perfect Brown Wand ($28) is a great waxy duo that has a waterproof formula, which means that if you’re sweating through a long, hot graduation ceremony, your eyebrows will stay beautiful!
Finally, use a tinted brow gel like this Brow Set from M.A.C Cosmetics ($16) to make sure your eyebrows stay set all day. To make your eyebrows pop even more, keep the rest of your makeup simple and wear a nude lip.
4. Dazzle With a Golden Glow
With summer coming up, everyone wants to have at least a little glow to her skin. Dust some bronzer on the areas of your face where the sun would hit it naturally, like your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your forehead and your chin. You can also use a highlighter like Benefit’s High Beam ($26) to give yourself a gorgeous natural glow.
Swipe a golden-brown shadow, like M.A.C’s Cork ($15) or Woodwinked ($15), to your eyelid and line it with a brown eyeliner, such as Maybelline’s Eye Studio Master Drama in Bold Brown ($7.99). With these tips, you’ll be ready to have a beautiful, beachy glow at graduation!
5. Make a Summery Statement With a Bright Lip
If you’re not wild about heavy eye makeup, this is the look for you. If you pick a punchy lip color, you should keep your eyes on the cleaner side and focus on making your lips pop.
To make your lip color last longer throughout the ceremony, prep the area with your fave lip balm so your lips aren’t dry and crackly before putting on your stain or lipstick. Some fun lip colors to try are Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti ($7.49) and Haute Pink Twist or Coral Twist from CoverGirl’s Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm ($6.89) collection. Blot the area with a tissue when you’re done.
For the rest of your face, use a tinted moisturizer, like theBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer ($25), and fill in your brows. Aznavourian recommends Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof brow mousse ($28). Finally, brush a super-black mascara on your top lashes, like bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara ($18). Another perk of this mascara? It’s waterproof, so if you get emotional (or hot and sweaty) during the ceremony, you’ll be all set.
With these beauty looks, you’ll be sure to start the next chapter of your life looking gorgeous. Graduation is an exciting and momentous occasion in your life, so you’ll want to look your absolute best—because you know your family will be documenting every second of it!