Valentine's Day How-To by Heather Wilson

A very special and romantic holiday is almost upon us! A day where it is tradition that lovers express their fondness by presenting each other with tokens of endearment!

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, you are probably thinking about purchasing a new outfit and shoes, how you will wear your hair and we hope that you are considering trying something new with your makeup.

No matter who you are spending this day with, be it a special partner or a single ladies night out, the Pros at IMPO want to suggest two makeup looks that are actually easy to achieve despite their intimidation!

Now, we all have our comfort level for an evening or special event makeup look, but this is the day to try something a little extra! So, the Pro’s want you to ask yourself…”are you more comfortable with a brighter lip, or a smokey eye?”

  

In this post, Pro makeup artist and IMPO writer, Heather Wilson will guide you through six easy steps on how to wear a red lip or a smokey eye and she will show you the products she uses to attain both of these looks.

Here is how she does it:

For most of us, we don’t feel comfortable in a bolder lip, but if you have found that perfect red and you are willing to try something new, then Valentine's Day is definitely the day to rock it! 

Let's begin...

First: start with super moisturized and exfoliated skin.

Second: mix 1/2 a pump of Make Up For Ever Uplight with your foundation to get that soft glow (if you tend to be more oily in your T-zone, you will not want to put this product on your forehead, nose or chin). This is also the time to conceal any skin flaws, irritations or dark circles with your favorite concealer product and then set the entire face with a neutral powder.

Third: use Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Base in Wheat to get a nice nude eyelid, but any “bone” colored shadow will do. Then take a color like MAC’s Soft Brown and smudge into top and bottom lashes. You can also add a very thin line of black, liquid eyeliner to define the upper lash line, but feel free to skip this step because if you do not feel confident in using this product the look can turn “vintage” quickly. This would also be the time to fill in your eyebrows with a matching color if needed.

Fourth: apply plenty of black mascara in your favorite brand and you can try a full or half set of false lashes. We love Ardell’s #105 or #301 for accent.

Fifth: a light application of bronzer like Bobbi Brown’s Maui Illuminating Bronzing Powder will sculpt cheekbones and add a slight bit of shimmer.

Sixth: to get a flawless red lip that will last through out the night make sure your lips are not chapped or flaky. Apply a matching red lip liner and use Yaby Cosmetics Lipstick in LC184. Finish the look with a little gloss just in the center of the lip. Alternative red lips that I love are: NARS 413 BLKR Larger Than Life Lip Gloss or Pure Matte Lipstick and Lipstick Queen’s Sinner or Saint.

4 more red lippies that are Pro favorites worth mentioning are all from NYX Cosmetics; Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Perfect Red, Xtreme Lip Cream in Spicy and Absolute Red and Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam.

Maybe you are more of the smokey eye type! If so, I am going to suggest mainly using soft plums for a more romantic flare than the traditional concrete tones popular with rock stars!

Let's begin...

First, follow the same steps for your skin prep, foundation, concealer and powder listed above. Then continue on with...

Eyes: Again, using Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Base not so much as an overall color this time, but instead to hold the shadows in place. Then use three of Yaby Cosmetics Pearl Shadows on the lid: PP017, PP038, PP047 and under the lower lash line. Take a black eyeshadow, such as NARS Night Breed and smudge it into the outer corner and elongate. I love to use Smashbox Gel Liner in Midnight Black softly smudged into the upper lash line because it will stay put all night.

Again as listed above, use a soft bronzer to sculpt your cheeks, fill in your brows if necessary, apply plenty of black mascara and false lashes then...

Lips: Use Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense in Satin Blackcurrant for an intense pigment that will match the plum colored eyes. Alternatives are; YSL Rouge Pur Couture Gloss in Violet Edition, Sephora Collection Rogue Cream Lipstick in Crush 23 or a little lighter tone with a hint of brown is Bobbi Brown's Lipstick in Raisin.

If you just can't handle the combo of a smokey eye and a matching dark lip then swap for a soft nude with a hint of pink, but that is playing it safe and on Valentine's Day I say step out of your comfort zone and have a little fun!

Remember to take your time, apply your makeup well and don’t rush! It is important to blend…blend…blend and blend some more for a flawless finish!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!

*all cosmetics listed above can be purchased online or at your nearest Sephora retailer. Yaby Cosmetics can be purchased from their online site or from Camera Ready Cosmetics.

*photos courtesy of Makeup by Heather Wilson.