You've already locked in a hottie; now it's time to make your makeup move. So many choices, so little prep time! Depending on the scenario (Casual meet-up in the park? Swanky dinner?), let the occasion (and your lipstick) take the lead. Try out any of these looks created by makeup artist Vincent Oquendo and you're guaranteed to seal your date with a kiss. Score!
Grabbing Coffee = Fresh & Flirty
Soft pink lips and flushed cheeks read first-date sweet.
Step 1: Prime Time
Using a foundation brush, sweep liquid foundation, like Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation, all over the face, using what's left across the lips. "This creates an even tone as a base for the lipstick," says Oquendo.
Step 2: Dot & Blot
Apply a natural pink lipstick, like Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in "Pure Pink," which delivers a high color payoff that's creamy, moisturizes rather than dries out your lips (unlike other matte lipsticks), and won't crack. Use your finger to give your lips a more stained effect, then blot them together. Next, use your finger to dab a hint of bright pink lipstick on the center of your lips. Try Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in "Electric Pink." "The brighter color makes lips seem fuller where they need to be and adds a pop," says Oquendo.
Step 3: Get Cheeky
With a fluffy powder brush, apply a rosy-colored cream blush, like Avon Lip and Cheek Tint in "Plum Wine," to the apples of your cheeks to play off your pink lips. "Using a brush helps the product melt into the skin for a more airbrushed look," says Oquendo. Finish with a shimmery wash of color on the eyelids (try Avon True Color Eyeshadow Single in "Champagne") and a swipe of mascara — voilà: you're insta pretty in pink.
Picnic in the Park = Naturally Nude
Shades of brown and neutral show your unfiltered beauty in the best light for a daytime date.
Step 1: Line & Define
After applying foundation and dusting a powder bronzer, like Avon Glow Bronzing Powder, along the cheekbones, temples, and chin, use a medium brown lip pencil to trace the shape of your lips, overdrawing slightly beyond your natural lip line. Try Avon Glimmersticks Lip Liner in "Simply Spice."
Step 2: Get Your Fill
Fill in your lips with a soft brown lipstick, like Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in "Marvelous Mocha." Blot just the middle of your bottom lip with a makeup wipe and apply a light nude shade, like Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in "Perfectly Nude," to the area to add depth to the outer corners and fullness to your pout, says Oquendo.
Step 3: Smolder, Slightly
Neutral doesn't mean naked, says Oquendo. To balance out that sexy nude pout, add a smudgy effect to the eyes. With a brown eye pencil, like Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner in "Cosmic Brown," trace along the top lash line and inside the water line of the lower lid. Then, take a small eye shadow brush and go over the eyelid with a bronze shadow, like Avon Marbelized Baked Eyeshadow in "Copper Glitz." "The idea is to smudge the eyeliner underneath as you go over it with a brush," says Oquendo. This helps create a soft smolder. Finally, run the shadow just under the lower lash line, add a swipe of mascara, and flash that come-hither stare.
Swanky Dinner = High Drama
Dark lips and loads of lashes turn up the heat for a late night done right.
Step 1: Lash Out
Sweep a deep eye shadow, like Avon True Color Eyeshadow Single in "Plum Burgundy," along the lash line, up to the crease, and along the lower lash line. Then apply Avon Marbelized Baked Eyeshadow in "Copper Glitz," over the top lid to add texture. "Playing with texture on the eyes pulls out texture in the lips," says Oquendo. Coat lashes with a healthy dose of mascara, like Avon Big & False Lash Volume Mascara, swiping the brush to the outer corners of the eyes to create a cat-eye effect.
Step 2: Trace the Shape
Working with a lip brush, outline your lips with a Bordeaux-colored lipstick, like Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in "Wild Cherry." "When you're using a formula that's as richly pigmented as this one, a lip brush can substitute for a lip liner to enhance the shape," say Oquendo. Then fill in your lips, applying the lipstick straight from the tube rather than with a lip brush for a more intense finish.
Step 3: Add Dimension
With your lips closed, use a lip brush to add dimension with a darker burgundy shade, like Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in "Superb Wine," just along the line where your lips meet to create a slight pout. Dot a bit of highlighter just above the cupid's bow to make the lips seem fuller. Finish the look with a neutral blush like Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in "Earthen Rose." He won't be able to look away!
