3. Keep your skin and face makeup radiant
Put down that matte long-wear foundation and powder. They are fine for youthful oil-prone skin, but they emphasize wrinkles and dryness on us. What you want now is skin that looks hydrated and dewy, even if you’re faking it with makeup. Try a hydrating primer — such as the Milani Bright Side Illuminating Face Primer ($11, ulta.com) or L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer ($15, ulta.com) — under your usual foundation, or a light reflecting foundation like Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation Normal to Dry ($6, target.com). All will plump up lines, blur discolorations and give dry mature skin a fresh, healthy glow. And here’s the best part: A dewy face lets you get away with doing bolder eyes or lips without looking overdone or “painted.”
(Left to right) Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer; Tarte Shape Tape Concealer; L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid
Target; Ulta Beauty; Target
4. Erase fatigue with eye cream and concealer
No one wants to hear the words “you look tired” — especially when dressed to thrill. Here’s the never-fails plan. Keep your eye cream chilling on call in the fridge and apply it as a prep to soothe, deflate puffiness, reduce under-eye discolorations and help concealer glide on. Choose a creamy wand-type concealer that comes in skin-accurate shades — like the Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer ($6, target.com), L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid ($12, target.com) or Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($29, ulta.com). Go warm rather than cool in undertone if choosing between two shades, since a subtle yellow/peachy/apricot tint helps cancel blue/purple discolorations, too. Start at the inner corners near your nose, where skin is thinnest and darkest. Dot on concealer in a wide shallow arc and tap to blend (don’t swipe!) using a damp makeup sponge or eye brush to melt the color seamlessly with your foundation. Dab a little extra around and under your nostrils, where skin tends to show redness, too.
(Left to right) Jasmine Rose by Good Chemistry Women’s Eau de Parfum; Michael Kors Sexy Amber Eau de Parfum Purse Spray; Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Target; Ulta Beauty (2)
5. Layer your perfume to linger and last
Fragrance is a major mood maker when you’re going out. It boosts your spirits, makes you appealing or memorable to others and can calm you down or rev you up for a good time. Here are three tricks to a longer-lasting scent. Always layer it over a moist base of body cream, since moisturized skin helps fragrance cling. Nothing fancy is necessary — even a basic moisturizer works fine. Amplify your perfume, body spray or eau de toilette by spritzing pulse points and sweaty spots like your wrists, neck, back of knees, inner elbow and cleavage, as well as your hair, bra and skirt hem. Let it settle and resist the urge to rub it in. Your body temperature, natural skin oils and current chemistry (including foods you’ve eaten recently, stress, hormones and medications) all affect how you smell, so steer clear of garlic and the like. Try these three popular crowd-pleasers: Jasmine Rose by Good Chemistry Women’s Eau de Parfum ($25, target.com), Michael Kors Sexy Amber Eau de Parfum Purse Spray ($30, ulta.com) and Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, 1 ounce ($82, ulta.com).
(Left to right) Emma Thompson; Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick by Ulta Beauty in Fiery; Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick in 015 Fire & Ice; Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Run the World
Gareth Cattermole/BFC/Getty Images; Target (3)
6. Try a more colorful lipstick
’Tis the season to try a brighter lip along with that mask-free smile. For those who like a vampy red lipstick, try a moisturizing but transfer-resistant liquid — like Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick by Ulta Beauty in Beso or Fiery ($22, target.com) or Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick in 015 Fire & Ice ($11, target.com) — instead of a traditional bullet style. The refined tip makes impeccable, accurate application (which you do need with bolder shades) easy, and no lip liner required! For those who are lipstick shy or have thin, small lips, try a roll-up pencil crayon with a refined tip like the Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Run the World or Chase Dreams ($10, target.com) to shape, correct and color fearlessly. Softer shades of rose or berry rather than a go-for-it red offer a color boost for those who don’t do red. All of the above give a long-lasting lip that can handle cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and face mask interludes without mess or stress. No more lip pencils, blotting or retouching necessary.
(Left to right) Essie Metallics Nail Polish in Below Zero; Crystal Fringe Drop Earrings in Gold; BaubleBar Tassel Drop Earrings in Black; Sharon Stone
Ulta Beauty; Anthropologie; Nordstrom; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
7. Add sparkling polish and earrings to elevate anything
Nothing reads “festive” like a touch of glitz. Even a come-as-you-are invite deserves a little effort. The most useful extras are simple swaps that pair well with everyday clothes. Trade your usual polish for a sophisticated metallic like the Essie Metallics Nail Polish in Below Zero, For the Twill of It or You’re a Gem ($9 each, ulta.com) — all smokey shades of gray, olive or brown that work with every skin tone and look way more elegant than glitter. Or simply add a pair of dangly statement earrings like the BaubleBar Tassel Drop Earrings in Black ($48, nordstrom.com) or Crystal Fringe Drop Earrings in Gold ($48, anthropologie.com).
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