The first thing you want him to notice is you, not your foundation. We love the way that Emily Blunt impresses hubby John Krasinski with her perfect date-night makeup: a charcoal smoky shadow to play up her blue eyes paired with a rosy-toned lip and highlighted skin. To rock your own great date night makeup look, try these five products that’ll make you look sexy, but not overdone.
Score a Subtle Smokey Eye
All the ladies know that a smoked up, black-lined eye screams sex kitten. But to men, the heavy liner look can be intimidating. Take it down a few notches by lining your eyes in a dark brown pencil and smudging on a brown or copper shadow. You’ll get a similarly alluring look, but one that works for both day and night.
Try: Smashbox Masquerade Eye Palette, $35.
Get a Rosy Flush
You want an inward glow that gives your complexion a little boost instead of a colour overload. Using a large fluffy brush, apply a pinky shade to the apples of your cheeks and sweep upward along your cheekbones. Take a step back from the mirror after application and if it’s looking more clown-like than English rose, take it down a few notches with the swipe of a tissue. Remember, in many cases, less really is more.
Try: Clarins Instant Blush Magic Colour, $28.
Create the Right Foundation
There’s nothing scarier to your potential suitor than hyper visible makeup. If your skin is generally free of imperfections, stick with a tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone. If you want fuller coverage, apply foundation only to the areas that need it most “ usually around the nose, the centre of the chin or on your forehead, concentrating on any discolourations or blemishes. Take a closer look (in natural lighting if possible) and blend any areas where you can visibly see the product, especially along the jawline. If there’s a marked shade difference between your neck and face seek out a cosmetician to find a better product match.
Try: Yves Saint Laurent Radiance Enhancing Flawless Foundation, $48.
Find your Perfect Pucker
High drama reds look fab on the red carpet but this lip look should be saved for special occasions “ not first dates. For optimal kissability, stick with a lip stain and a gloss. The stain will set your lip look for the night and you can reapply a gloss on top when you hit the candlelit dinner.
Try: Esté©e Lauder Lip Gloss in Nude Rose, $22.50.
Highlight your Assets
Instead of applying shimmer all over, pick the spots that you really want to accentuate. Apply a gold or silver toned highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes, under the arches of your browns and your dé©colletage if you’re feeling a bit more racy.
Product: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact, $38.
