Date Night Makeup No-Nos
You finally scored a date with that special somebody (yes!), and you have to find the perfect I-look-this-good-without-trying outfit. What you wear is important, but we’ll argue that the right beauty look is just as significant. Some makeup, like a red lip, is great for a girl’s night out, but for a date? Not so much. We spoke to celebrity makeup artist, Carmindy, to find out what you should be wearing on your special night, from skin to lips, to ensure your date leaves wanting more.
Daily Makeover: What’s the most important thing a girl should remember when applying makeup for date night?
Carmindy: I would say the number one thing women need to know when they’re going on a date, when it comes to wearing makeup, is less is more. Guys don’t want a girl that’s wearing a ton of makeup, because it looks like they’re insecure and they’re hiding something.
DM: What do you think date night makeup should look like?
C: What I always try to teach women to do is my “five-minute face.” The five-minute face basically accentuates your natural beauty without making it look like you’re wearing any makeup—it’s almost like you’re glowing from within.
DM: Let’s start with skin. How should you prep your date night face?
C: So the first thing you want to do is even out your skin tone. Do this with a little liquid foundation and use a non-latex sponge. This will allow it to blend into your skin, without looking like you’re wearing anything at all. Then you want to give yourself a sort of luminous glow.
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DM: What’s your trick to a “luminous glow”?
C: One thing is for sure, you don’t want to use glitter. Glitter makes it look like you’re trying too hard. Instead, apply a shimmery highlighting cream in three key places: right underneath the eyebrow, the inside corner of the eyes, and on top of the cheekbones. My favorite cream highlighter is the Fresh Satin Luster Face Palette ($45, Sephora.com), because it looks like nothing but your natural glow-y skin.
DM: Love. Anything else we need to know about skin?
C: Yes. Lastly, dust a light transition powder just to set your makeup—so nothing that has color in it, nothing that’s opaque, nothing that’s going to add another extra chalky layer. Whatever you do, do not take a sponge and wipe across your compact and then smear it across your face. That just makes your skin look cakey. Instead, take a fluffy powder brush and lightly sweep it across your compact, then dust it on your face.
DM: OK, that sounds easy enough. What about your eyes?
C: There’s a really easy way to do eyes for a date so it doesn’t look like you’re trying to hide anything. Define your upper lash line with a little bit of liner, and to really make your eyes pop, use an eyeliner color opposite to your iris color, which makes your eyes stand out. Just add a smidge along your upper lash line, as close to the roots as possible, so you don’t really see it. It’s just kind of giving the illusion of a thicker-looking lash line with a hint of color. Then definitely use black mascara on the top and bottom lashes for a flirty look.
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DM: It’s the end of the night, and you want a kiss. What should you be wearing on your lips?
C: When it comes to lips, stay away from lip gloss, because guys do not want to kiss you if you’re wearing lip gloss. And you want to stay away from any dark shades, or any bold colors, like red. When you’re on a first date with a guy, it’s more about connecting with the person and less about putting on your bright red lipstick so you can look super cool.
I always recommend a tinted lip balm, like Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment ($22.50, Fresh.com), because it’s got like a little hint of rose to it. This will leave you with a soft lip and just a hint of color—it’s not going to be scary for a guy.
DM: Fair enough. So have you ever gone on a first date and just overdone it with the makeup?
C: Me? Never. I’m a professional.
DM: Any other words of wisdom when it comes to date night makeup?
C: The key is confidence, especially when going on a first date. You want to make it look like you don’t have a care in the world, that makeup is not important to you. That’s what’s going to get across more on a first date, not “Oh she’s wearing cat eyes and a nude lip. That’s really hot right now.” Guys don’t care about that.
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We always love a bold lip for a night out, but perhaps that’s more appropriate with friends or a longtime boyfriend. As cute as Kim Kardashian looks with a red pout and dark eye, natural makeup, a-la Katharine McPhee, is what’s really hot.
Now we want to hear from you: What are your date-night makeup tips? Follow us on Twitter @DailyMakeover to get Carmindy’s latest beauty tips!
Top 14 Romantic Hairstyles
Valentine’s Day is upon us next week, and a romantic date night hairstyle is a must. Opt for sultry curls like Katherine McPhee, or another of these glamorous styles. He’ll definitely be sweet on you.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus’ glossy locks and side part give her a red carpet look that was both ethereal and ladylike.
Photo: John Kopaloff/Getty Images
Emma Stone
Emma Stone’s updo is elegant without being severe. Some face-framing wispy pieces enhance the actress’ peaches and cream complexion.
Photo: Mark Davis/WireImage
Brooke Anderson
Brooke Anderson shows off the latest braid trend, while still keeping her hair loose and wavy.
Let Me Tell You about My First Time
My friend and fellow PageDaily editor Daniela and I were invited to preview the spring menu at Bar Paya, an East Village restaurant and wine bar specializing in authentic Peruvian cuisine with a contemporary twist. As I walked into the restaurant, escaping the cold, I immediately felt like I escaped New York itself. Dark and cozy, the restaurant is lit with just 1 stunning, modern chandelier over the marble bar at its center. Candles are scattered across the bar top, with dimmed clear bulbs hanging over each table—the perfect spot for date night. Wine bottles line 1 wall, while the others, paneled in natural wood, are decorated with personal photographs taken while travelling in Peru. I couldn’t wait to be seated—and eat!
The menu is made up of 5 different, and I recommend ordering 4–5 plates per couple, ideal for sharing. Since my dinner date and I were hungry (read starving!), we ordered 5 plates, starting with the guacamole. Minutes later, a giant plate of mashed avocado with huge chunks of lobster and shrimp sat in front of us. We dug in with toasted plantain chips, and I never tasted better guacamole! I didn’t care that it wasn’t Mexican; this dish made me a convert to the twist. While we were devouring the first course, our second dish arrived—my first ceviche. We went with the tuna ceviche, served with pineapple bites, Peruvian corn, and a scoop of sweet potato. This might have been my favorite dish of the night, but there were plenty more on their way, and I was excited!
Next came grilled-chicken skewers marinated in aji amarillo, a Peruvian yellow chile pepper that gave the dish quite a kick, and grilled hanger steak with yucca fries and 3 dipping sauces. I was in protein heaven! Both meats were mouth-wateringly delicious, and the fries were a perfect, crispy side dish—especially since I’ve decided I want to live on potatoes for the rest of my life (hey, a girl can dream).
Last up for our savory dishes was what our waiter called “a hidden gem,” the barbecued-duck dumplings. A Peruvian causa—a traditional dish made by layering mashed potatoes with tuna salad and avocado—came with a gourmet twist. Ours were served on a thick potato base topped with shredded barbecued duck, then garnished with a toasted plantain. Another first for me—duck—was a success, and a hidden gem it definitely was!
Since we passed on cocktails at the start of the night, we ordered drinks with dessert (panna cotta with pisco tangerines, coconut, and almond slivers) for a great end to the night. I went with the Aji Punch, a spicy and tart cocktail made with mango nectar, pisco (brandy), and spices, while my date went with the Pomegranate Mojito.
After an adventurous meal (for me) and my first experience with Peruvian cuisine, I can’t wait to expand my palette even further! AND I can’t wait to go back to Bar Paya to sample its new brunch menu, this time with my favorite Peruvian coworker, Dania Slochowski—who has been quite envious since I recounted my meal. —Lindsay Leff
Bar Paya
65 Second Avenue, New York
212.777.6965
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