Makeup for Valentines Day

1. Heres the thing. Ever since braids made their comeback on the red carpet circa 2009, the humble style has been getting increasingly more complicated. Fishtail! Waterfall! Milkmaid! But as Diane Kruger demonstrates, an off the cuff version still has its charms. Once youve woven the braid, do widen and rough it up by pulling on either side with your fingertips. .....

Get in a nude mood

2. Jennifer Lopez has cornered the market on sexy with her trademark nude, muted lips. When attempting at home, neutralize the red in your mouth by dabbing foundation on your lips with a damp makeup sponge before applying your lipstick. To select a fleshy shade that doesnt look corpse like, look for one with peachy undertones, not gray ones. .....

Join the pile high club

3. Put a new twist on a precise bun by gathering up curly strands instead of straight ones. To try a look like Katharine McPhees, separate your ponytail into four sections, twisting and looping each in different directions around the base of the elastic. Dont be worried if it doesnt look perfect. The haphazard construction is part of the appeal. .....

Pastel eyes

4. A neat application of demure lavender eye shadow gave Kerry Washingtons otherwise simple look a pleasant buzz. Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez brushed Lanc .....

Try something knotty

5. Even if your name isnt Miranda Kerr, a high top knot is an deft way to show off good bone structure. The key to keeping the look flirty and fun with wispy pieces grazing your temples and nape. Once youve set your style, use the pointed end of a rattail comb to tug out a few strands. If they look stringy, rub them between your thumb and forefinger to give them a bit of fuzzy texture. .....

Copper an attitude

6. Some nights call for a statement less serious than a full on smoky eye. Like, for instance, Taylor Swifts rich copper shadow. Not only is the mellow metallic universally flattering, but its exponentially more forgiving read smudge proof than inkier shades. Do rim eyes in black or charcoal liner to anchor the look. .....

Slip into satin

7. Satin finish lipstick, that is. Heres a little secret Matte lips scare men. And so do ultra glossy ones. Thandie Newtons just bitten raspberry stain is an appealing compromise. For a truly translucent effect, rather than applying straight from the tube, press on with your fingertip, concentrating the color in the center of your mouth and dabbing outwards. .....

Create a Glow

8. For a lit from within radiance, apply a liquid highlighter under your foundation. The combo lets just enough shimmer through for a natural looking glow, says Cory Bishop, Temptu makeup artist. We like the dual purpose Tarte Maracuja Blush And Glow Brightening Luminizer and Cheek Tint in Candlelight. .....

Deepen your blush

9. Re create a first date flush by using a cheek color thats one shade darker than your everyday hue. Blush should be more dramatic for evening, especially if youll be in a dimly lit place, says Bishop. If your go to shade is a rosy pink, try MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush in Dollymix. .....

Color in the Lines

10. Give tired eyes a lift at the end of a long day with a plum or green liner, says Bishop. Try Sonia Kashuk Eye Definer in Purple Passion or Olive Suede $6, Target. Their blue undertones make the whites of your eyes pop so you look fresh and awake, he explains. Black only accentuates undereye circles. .....

Hold the Hairspray

11. Nothing is a bigger turnoff than helmet head. You want your hair to be touchably soft, even if it means a few strands are out of place, says hairstylist Chaz Dean, creator of Wen hair and body care. So skip hairspray and use a finishing cream to smooth strands and add shine. .....

Keep lips kissable

12. Ditch the intimidating red lipstick and aim for soft, natural looking lips. Choose a soft pink or berry hue no more than two shades darker than your lip color, says makeup artist Neil Scibelli. A creamy formulation, like Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in 14 helps lips look fuller, too. .....

Eyes makeup

13. To get a flirty winged eye, you dont need to apply liquid liner. Instead, use black eye shadow. Place an adhesive note on the outer corner of the eye at the desired angle. Then, using a flat eyeliner brush, sweep black eye shadow along the edge of the note; the paper serves as a stencil. Remove it to reveal a soft and sexy eye. If black eye shadow is too harsh for you, try a gray or cocoa shadow instead.For instant glamour, try false lashes. A la .....

Cheeks

14. To create a high, sexy cheekbone, apply bronzer or a taupe eye shadow to the hollows of your cheeks. This creates a shadow, giving a more contoured look. Then, add color to the apples of your cheeks the areas where you would naturally flush. .....

Skin

15. Choose a loose iridescent powder that matches your natural skin tone for a romantic glow. If you have a darker complexion, choose a golden powder. To avoid shine, dont apply the powder over wrinkles, acne, or other imperfections. Apply it only to the smoothest parts of your skin to highlight your best features. .....

Lips

16. To prevent messy smears and stay kissable on Valentines Day, choose a long lasting lip formula. Try SeneGences LipSense in Blu Red, a favorite of Christina Aguileras. Its a semipermanent lip stain that will last up to 18 hours.For the best results, pick a shade of red thats the opposite of your skin tone to avoid looking muddy. If you have a warm complexion golden or olive skin tones, choose a color with a cool or blue undertone. If you have cool .....

Get a facial massage

17. Either give yourself one or treat yourself to a professional one. Massages feel great and leave your skin looking beautiful and awakened with a healthy glow. .....

Refresh your complexion

18. Exfoliate once or twice a week with an at home peel containing glycolic, alpha hydroxy, or salicylic acid. After the first peel, your skin will look shinier and more taut, says dermatologist Katie Rodan, and after four weeks, itll look even better. .....

Get a great wax

19. There is nothing romantic about getting a bikini wax. But Cindy Barshop, owner of the Completely Bare Spas in New York City, is here to explain how to make the best of it. .....

Pinks And purples

20. Im just popping in to share with you this quick pink look I was playing around with this morning before I took a shower. Yes, I totally will put on a full face of makeup, only to wash it all off right after! Sorry if its felt like Ive been a bit MIA this weekend really trying to put in the full energy and effort to study for my midterms, which has always been a challenge ever since Ive really started to get into the blog. Cause trust me, Id .....

Makeup neutral eyes And red lips

21. The boy and I went out last night for our Valentines Day dinner early, I know thats how we do it!, so I had to pull out Chanel Dragon for a little night out on the town! Every time I wear it, I feel like Im totally made out of awesome. .....

Makeup soft peach And plum

22. I thought Id do a look using NARS Kuala Lumpur, a new eyeshadow duo for spring review coming soon which went okay. I had to use this duo wet in order to get the intensity I wanted. The cheeks and lips are still goin strong with MAC Spring Colour Forecast, so never fear.Oh, man, I really wanted to add more to the crease. I wanted some more depth, more darkness just MORE! But I held myself back. I told myself, Go softer, lets try it. .....

Soft neutrals And pink lips

23. So, opposite of the last look, heres a very soft look one could wear. I call it Valentines Day makeup, but you could really wear it any time. I think its quite appropriate for a variety of occasions! I wore this to school on Wednesday, which worked for me; I was able to wear something but not feel out of place or too young. Im probably one of the younger people in my program. .....

Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers

24. Try to avoid dark nail polishes when going out on a romantic date. Clean, simple nails are always attractive. This nail polish epitomizes elegance and happens to be one of the brands most famous polishes. .....

The heartbreaker

25. Valentines Day isnt only about romance; it can be fun and flirty as well! This look is for the girls who dont mind breaking a couple hearts along the way. With a bit of sass and attitude, you can have boys falling after your footsteps.Even when you dont have that special someone, you should still look fabulous on V Day anyway. Ideally, you want to look seductive without looking too overdone. I recommend all the same face products as above but wit .....

Romantic Pastel Blue Eyelids

26. Pale blue eyeshadow is girly yet sophisticated. Make this look fresh by keeping the rest of the face and lips natural. .....

Cute Heart Shaped Nail Art

27. Wear your heart on your sleeve or nails! To try this idea at home, start with the lightest polish color. Then let each color dry completely before layering the next one. .....