We arefinally out of the month of January, my friends! Did it feel like that was the month that just wasn’t going to end for you, too? Ha! There were some bright spots, however, from last month, so if you missed what my Pretty Powerful Beauty Picks January were, just click on the link.
So let’s talk about the next holiday coming up – Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Do you celebrate it, honor it, love it, ignore it, don’t even think about it, or really dislike it??!
In Today’s Beauty Post…
I’m certainly always up for celebrating the idea of anything that has to do with the act of loving someone. Now, as for my hubby and me, we don’t make a big deal about this day because (a) it’s usually impossible to get a reservation in our town unless you think way ahead, (b) we aren’t much for spending money on lavish gifts for each other at this point in our lives. We have three very expensive teenagers – ha! And (c) this year, my senior son has a double header baseball game on Valentine’s Day, so we already know we’ll be at the ball field day and night.
BUT, with all that said, Scott knows I wouldn’t turn down a bouquet of fresh flowers and a bottle of wine or prosecco!
So even though we don’t make a big to-do when it comes to the 14th, I do love the idea of Valentine’s Day and embracing a romantic vibe. And this is the best time to experiment with maybe a girlier vibe than usual. And no, it doesn’t mean your makeup has to JUST be about traditional bold red lips.
Today I’m giving you a little Valentine’s Day makeup recipe for a look that says “Love is in the air!” or at least on your face. Here are some favorites I’d like to introduce you to…
Valentine’s Day Makeup Tutorial
Step 1: Softy Yummy Satin Skin
The literal foundation of romantic makeup is skin that looks hydrated, radiant, yummy, and soft-focused. NOT heavy. How to get that look…
Start by applying a hydrating skin serum like L’Oreal Revitalift Pure Hyaluronic Acid serum, $36. I am currently very OBSESSED with this product. Sometimes I will even cut my heavier foundations by mixing a drop or two into them with this serum to thin them out. I promise, it gives the best glow if you try this!!!
Now use a glowy foundation or skin tint with light to medium coverage, like the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Tint, $39. Ooooh, ladies, I do love this new product for me. It is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner in 2024 and wears like makeup but works like skincare, because it delivers intense hydration with just the right amount of dewy coverage. I’m wearing shade 4 here.
Maybe you don’t want it, but if you need a bit of powder and blur, lightly dust the Fenty Beauty Invisimatte universal setting and blotting powder, $39, only where needed.
Step 2: Rosy Cheeks = Heartfelt Glow
Nothing says “romantic” like a colorful, flushed cheek. Choose a blush duo that gives you options of a powder formula + cream formula for stacking and longevity! I like to keep my cheeks very pink-ish and rose shades. These colors provide a certain femininity, but do be sure everything is buffed out and blurred – no detectable lines!
I recently collected a few shades of the Morphe Cheek Thrills Multi Finish blush trios, $19, and they’re spectacular if you like various finish options in one palette with a really good mirror! They house a powder blush, balm blush (cream), and luminous finish.
Try applying to the mid apples of the cheeks and sweeping upward toward the temples. You can do this with the powder blush, or the cream, or stack them. Lastly, add their luminous balm, which includes a bit of shimmer, just to top off your cheekbones to catch the candlelight! I’m wearing two shades here: “Blind Date” and “Apres Ski.”
Step 3: Eyes That Flutter
Romance is ALL in the eyes — make them soft and seductive, with a touch of smoky sultry.
Do an ombre of your shades of shadows – going from the lightest shade in the inner corners, then move it into the middle of the lid, and then use one of the matte darkest finishes on the edges of the eye and just above the crease. I’m using the newest 9 shade palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills, Haze, $32.
I like a tiny cat eye wing on the outside of the eye with a brown shade of liner, like Urban Decay’s 24/7 liner in shade “Corrupt,” $23, which is a gorgeous reddish brown with a slight silver shimmer! I take a matching dark brown eyeshadow on top of it to blur and smoke – be sure to tightline the upper lash line too. Don’t forget the nude inner waterline on the bottom to open up the eyes and make them more doe-eyed and big! Using the Flower Beauty eyelighter in “moonstone,” $9.
Don’t Forget Your Lashes
Curl your lashes first, of course, then layer two coats of a volumizing mascara in a brown shade instead of black, like the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise in “latte brown,” $13, like I’m wearing here. Gives girly and flirty, without overwhelming the eye with too much darkness.
Step 4: Blurred Lips + Lip-Plumping Gloss
This is going to be a little bit of an “extra” lip look, with 3 steps, but hang in there with me! It turned out pretty!
Start by applying a lip stain all over the lips and let it dry completely so you always have that stained look even if you kiss or eat your gloss off – wink wink. I’m using this Clarins hydrating matte lip water stain in “nude brown”, $32, here. It feels just like water going on – I apply around 2 – 3 layers until I get the depth I want, since it’s adjustable.
Then I go over my lips and extend my lip line with a rosey brown liner, and blur edges with my fingers. Using the Morphe signature lip pencil in shade “Whipped,” $7. Finishing touch – a very sheer red lip-plumping gloss over top like this Patrick Ta major Plumping lip gloss in shade “Full Syringe,” $26. This technique makes lips look fuller without harsh lines — perfect for that romantic, glowing vibe.
Final Valentine Touches
A layer of setting mist like the L’Oreal Infallible Setting Mist, $15, to keep everything looking fresh like you just applied it and not budging onto someone else 😉 And you cannot forget your fragrance either – I never leave the house without two things – my perfume and my mascara!
If you are anything like me and love the smell of vanilla (not the sicky sweet frosting kind) my current go-to smells are Kayali Vanilla 28, $108, which has the warm and spicy notes of Vanilla Orchids, Tonka Absolute, and Amber Woods. As well as the Victoria’s Secret Bare perfume, $79, which has a musky side consisting of sandalwood, mandarin Madagascar, and Egyptian violet.
The Rest of My Look Details
You know the very pricey Love Collection from Cartier, well, I found a pretty good dupe for their Love ring and bangle set on Amazon here. I’ve been wearing this set daily! // My “Feeling Sweet” strawberry tee can be found at Walmart, $10. // Similar pink cozy cardigans found here on Show Me Your Mumu, $89, and Free People here, $198, and this one here, $98.
So what are you ladies doing on the 14th? Are you celebrating with a spouse, partner, friends, or just treating yourself to a special night out or in? No matter what, adding one new product or a fresh color to your beauty lineup can spark joy in your love for getting ready!
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