Blushing cheeks? Racing heart? Doodling hearts all over your notebook? Craving heart-shaped treats? If you’re showing these signs, you’ve definitely been shot by Cupid’s bow, which can only mean that Valentine’s Day is getting closer. You may not know what your significant other has in store for this special day, but no matter what, we’ll have you covered beauty-wise. Whether your plans include dinner, a movie, or a night in, these easy beauty looks will cast a spell on your partner all day long.
Read more: GET INTO THE V-DAY SPIRIT WITH THESE LGBTQ+ ROMANCE NOVELS
If you need any extra help planning the day for you and your SO, we’ve got you covered there, too. For the active couple, consider planning a hike or trying out a rock-climbing gym or exercise class together. Feeling extra social on your free night? You can host a Valentines-themed game night or trivia party with friends. If you’re looking to get super intimate on your date, have a staycation at a nearby hotel, or gather some mementos and make a relationship time capsule. No matter what date you decide to go on this year, you will look stunning with a few effortless beauty tips.
1. Smokey Eyes
Make your peepers sparkle with this softer take on smokey eyes. Brown shadows are more natural than black but will still give you a sultry effect. Valentine’s Day makeup should be absmout enhancing your beauty, not masking it. This look is sure to win you compliments as your SO admires you across from the dinner table.
What You’ll Need
- Eyeshadow primer
- 3 brown eye shadows (neutral, dark, and shimmery)
- Eyeshadow brushes
- Black eyeliner
- Mascara
Instructions
- Prime your lids with an eye shadow primer (or a creamy concealer, if you don’t have primer). Using your finger is ideal because your body heat will warm up the product for easy blending.
- With a flat eyeshadow brush, pat a neutral shadow all over your lid. We recommend “Frisk” from Urban Decay’s Naked2 Palette ($23).
- On the outer corner of your lid, apply a dark brown shadow, like “Primal” from the same palette, using a small, fluffy brush. Work this into the crease of your eye, using a windshield-wiper motion. This will add depth to the look.
- Apply a light, shimmery shade, such as Urban Decay’s 24/7 Moondust ($24) to the inner corners of your eyes to brighten the eyes with a pencil brush or a Q-tip. You can also use this shadow below the brow bone as a highlight.
- Finish off with black eyeliner and two coats of your favorite mascara to really define your eyes.
2. Fresh, Glowing Skin
Spending the night stargazing? Make your skin glow in the moonlight with this look. The key is to put just a little bit of the highlighter in three main areas; product applied in too many places could make your face look oily. This technique brightens your face, leaving you with supple, kissable skin.
What You’ll Need
- Moisturizer
- Brightening concealer
- Highlighting powder
- Small blending brush
Instructions
- Prep face with a hydrating moisturizer.
- Apply a foundation of your choice and follow with a brightening concealer, such as Makeup Revolutionn’s Eye Bright Concealer ($10), that’s two shades lighter than your skin tone under your eyes to brighten the area. Blend with your finger until it looks seamless.
- Lightly apply your matte-pressed powder. This creates an even canvas for the highlighter to pop.
- With a small blending brush, dust a highlighting powder from a palette such as Milani’s Stellar Lights Highlighter Palette ($16) lightly above your cheekbones, along the bridge of your nose, and on your Cupid’s bow (right above your upper lip). The light will naturally brighten your eyes and the powder simply enhances the effect.
3. Red Lips
Capture your partner’s attention with this bold, timeless look. Finding the right shade of red is vital. For collegiettes with lighter skin tones, go for reds with orange undertones, while collegiettes with darker skin tones should look for blue undertones. No matter what shade you choose, these steps will help you achieve this sexy look.
What You’ll Need
- Lip balm
- Red lip liner
- Red lipstick or gloss
- Concealer
- Lip brush
Instructions
- Prep lips with a lip balm of your choice to ensure they stay hydrated all night long.
- Take a red lip liner, like NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip Pencil in Hot Red ($5), outline your lips, and then completely fill them in. Not only does this enhance the color of your lipstick, but it will also help it last longer.
- Apply a red lipstick, like Revlon Super Lustrous Lipcolor in Fire & Ice ($10), or a red gloss of your choice, using a lip brush if you have one. This helps you apply it more precisely than straight from the tube.
- Take a brush with some concealer and clean up the edges. This helps to define your lips.
4. Natural Rosy Blush
Channel your soft, girly side with a natural flush. Reds, pinks, and peaches are ideal blush colors. To find the right shade for you, try pinching your cheeks. Rosy cheeks and a genuine smile are a winning combo that will be sure to have your Valentine blushing all night long.
The only thing you’ll need for this look is a cream blush.
Instructions
- After applying your foundation, concealer, and powder, find a red-pinkish cream blush such as Cheek Me Later Cream Vegan Blush ($14) from florence by mills. This blends easier into the skin than a powder blush.
- Smile! Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks with your fingers. Tap it gently and work it back to your ears and up into your temples.
- If you apply too much, take your used powder brush and lightly go over the area to tone it down.
5. Romantic Curls
It’s easy to stick to a routine with your hair, but why not mix it up a little this Valentine’s Day? Try soft, romantic curls to frame your face and keep you looking luscious.
What You’ll Need
- Pomade
- Bobby pins
- Satin scarf
- Hair serum
- Hair spray
Instructions
- Start with day-old hair (curls hold better on dirty hair) and apply a bit of pomade for some texture.
- Take small sections of your hair and wrap them into spirals flat against your head. Secure them with two bobby pins each.
- Wrap your head with a satin scarf for a few hours or overnight to set the curls.
- Take down your hair when you’re ready. Tame flyaway strands with a serum and finish with hair spray for long-lasting curls.
6. Banded Chignon
This easy hairstyle is best suited for dinner dates and dances. A glam headband is the key to this look.
What You’ll Need
- Elastic jeweled headband
- Brush
- Hair spray
Instructions
- Brush out your hair to ensure that it is smooth and free of knots and tangles.
- Place your headband over your hair so that the elastic band falls right at the crown of your head, above your ears.
- Starting near your ear, take a small section of hair and tuck it into the headband, forming a loose loop. We like this jeweled headband from Etsy ($26).
- Repeat this process until all of your hair is tucked into the strap of the headband.
- Finish with hair spray, like Tresseme TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray.
7. Glam Pony
This upgraded ponytail is perfect for a night out on the town. Warning: with this look, you may be too hot to handle!
What You’ll Need
- Hair tie
- Curling iron
- Teasing comb
- Heat protectant
- Bobby pins
- Hair spray
- Hair clip
Instructions
- After brushing out your hair, section off the front part of your hair, typically where your bangs are, and clip it out of the way.
- Tease the crown of your head with a fine-tooth comb for added volume.
- Smooth your hair down with your hands and secure the rest of it in a high ponytail with an elastic band.
- Apply some heat protectant to your ponytail and curl the ends of your hair.
- Unclip the front hair you pinned away and part your hair to your liking. Pin your hair back as close to the hair elastic as possible.
- Finish with hair spray for extra hold.
Enhance your natural beauty with these simple steps for a night your SO will never forget. These easy looks can be re-created for dates, formals, or even a night out with your sorority sisters for year-round glamour.