While it might be nice, if say, a vampy smokey eye was appropriate for girl’s night and the daily grind of college class or the workplace, it’s not. The same goes for a fresh-faced, minimized look not being suitable for a girl’s night out or for a first date. Makeup comes in all different textures, shades, and styles for a reason. Whether you like it or not, there is makeup for every occasion. And while you shouldn’t look like a completely different person from one look to the next, there should be subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, variations for contrasting settings. Don’t be intimidated. Simple tricks can take your look to the next level or from day to night in no time. We’ve broken it down into five classic looks that you can lock down with ease.
The First Date
Okay, so you’ve managed to score a date with your latest crush (congrats!), now it’s time to score big with your makeup. It probably comes as no surprise to hear that you should try your best to be yourself on a date, no matter how nervous or excited you may be. That goes for your clothing, conversation, and yes, your choice in makeup too. You should look like yourself. After all, you locked down this date because the person likes you for you and vice versa (or at least we hope so). So when it comes to your makeup, don’t do anything too out of the ordinary or daring. Stick to what you know works for you, and then a little something special. We suggest adhering to your daily routine (foundation, blush, mascara, etc.), whatever it is, and perhaps adding a touch of flirty, moisturizing color for your lips (Peach Kiss by BabyLips, $2.99 at CVS) or subdued cateye look (Try Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner, $16.00 at Sephora). Again, you should look like you, with a touch of alluring glamour.
The Big Interview
You’ve probably heard of every single interview faux pas, and then some. But not many people know that simple, beauty blunders can make the difference when it comes to landing the second interview or even the job. Do not load on the eye shadow, and please, do not suffocate the interviewer by dousing yourself in your favorite floral scent. Similar to a first date, you want to be yourself as much you possibly can on an interview. The slight difference between the first date and the first interview lies in eliminating any sultry touches to your makeup and replacing them with polishing undertones. For example, ditch the flirty lip and cateye look, for a soft, slightly regal blush. We love Smashbox Soft Lights ($30.00) for a subtle, sophisticated glow.
The Classroom
Repeat slowly: less is more. We mean it. When it comes to class time, the focus should be on your studies, not your cosmetics. With that being said, there’s no need to completely neglect your look when buried in books. If you’re anything like the normal high school or college student, you’re probably running from one class and activity to the next. Stick with products that help you maintain a fresh-faced glow all day long. We recommend killing two birds with one stone and starting off your morning with a tinted moisturizer or foundation that can be reapplied throughout the day as needed, and finishing up with a few swipes of your favorite mascara. Our favorites? The Healthy Skin Enhancer ($10.49 at CVS) is a vitamin-rich alternative to your run of the mill foundation, with SPF 20 and a sheer tint of color that leaves skin flawlessly youthful, without a caked on look. For mascara, we recommend the always reliable COVERGIRL LashBlast ($8.99 at Ulta) for larger than life lashes.
The Girl’s Night
We hereby give you permission to use girl’s night as the one night of the week to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to makeup. Purple, vampy lips? Go for it! Bronzer with a sparkly finish? Tonight’s the night! Girl’s night is the one social situation where anything goes, and if you can’t be the most daring with your girlfriends, when can you? We use our lady outings as the perfect excuse to try on a new look, with our closest girlfriends as a safety night in case the look doesn’t turn out exactly right, or our personal photogs if we want everyone else to know how fabulous we look. So, if you’re heading out, why not go all out? Try on some temporary lip or eye tattoos from Violent Lips & Eyes (available on violentlips.com) to take your look to the next level in minutes. These tattoo appliques are super daring, sultry, and celeb-worthy. If Nicki Minaj can rock them, there’s no reason we can’t do the same!
The Workplace
Not surprisingly, the workplace is similar to the classroom look, only a bit amped up. There’s no need for us to remind you that you should always look professional when on the job, and your makeup should mirror that professionalism. Leave the bright colored eye-shadows, dramatic lips, and falsies (we mean lashes) at the door. Stick with neutral palettes for eyeshadows, such as Urban Decay’s Naked Palette ($50.00 at Sephora) and a matte finished foundation (try BareMinerals Matte foundation, $27.00) to seal your work-savvy look.
Photos courtesy of Sephora and Violent Lips & Eyes.
