Sultry Sweetheart: Hot Date Look using Drugstore Brands

Going on a special date this week? Preparing for a hot look this coming Valentine's day? Channel a sultry, sweet, and sexy look using discount or drugstore brands.

The inspiration for this tutorial is a fab friend who wants to try a sultry look sans elaborate makeup details. She's leaving for an exciting cruise with her husband and kids. With the captain's night in mind, I want her to look fabulous and elegant without breaking the bank.

Note: All the makeups I used here (except for one black eyeliner) are all drugstore/ discount brands. The key to a lasting makeup is primer. You can always skip this process but if you're the type who doesn't want to hassle with constant re-touching (like me), then I highly suggest to get a face primer and eye primer. They are both available in major drugstores like Walgreens, CVS or retail giants Walmart and K-Mart. The brands featured in this tutorial are for illustration purposes only. Feel free to use your own supplies as necessary.

1. Prep your face. Wash with gentle cleanser, tone, moisturize. Allow at least ten minutes for the moisturizer to start working before you apply liquid foundation (you may do your hair around this time frame).

2. Apply face primer. Again you may skip this process if you don't own one. Face primer creates a flawless canvass by providing a barrier between your skin and makeup. It also helps control shine and prevents wilting of makeup. (On the average, my makeup stays fresh for 8 hours with primer).

3. Apply liquid foundation using fingertips, sponge or brush. For a flawless or airbrushed effect, I suggest using a face brush. If you have dark under eye circles, lightly dab concealer under the eyes.

4. Prime your eyelids. Again you may skip this process if you don't own one. Check out the previous blog on how to make your own eye primer.

5. Now the fun and easy part. I used Wet n Wild Icon eyeshadow trio pallet which exactly tells you where to put what. See image below.

Isn't this neat? Simple guide for newbies. And it's cheap!

What exactly is crease? The eye crease is the hollow part of your eye, which is between the lid and brow bone.

Eye map. Image from here.

6. Using your own eyeshadow brush or the applicator which came with the palette, apply maroon color over eyelid. Apply dark brown over the crease area. Highlight the brow area using the lightest shade. Extend maroon or brown shade in your lower lash line for added drama and definition. Start from the outer corner of your eye, going inward.

7. For the smoky-sultry look, line your upper lash line with black eye pencil. Smudge it with cotton tip. Line again. Line your lower lash line/waterline. Smudge. Line again. This process will soften the smoky look.

8. Curl your eyelash. Apply 3-4 coats of mascara. (Optional) wear fake eyelashes.

9. Apply blush on. Smile to locate apple of your cheek. (Optional) contour your face with bronzer. Gently brush from the temple going to midline of face. This process helps slim the face.
 10. Line and fill your lips with lip pencil. Apply lip gloss.

11. (Optional) For shimmer effect, brush shimmer powder over cheekbone.

Here's my Sultry Sweetheart look....

Find your best angle and strike a pose.

 

Sultry, smoky eyes

Up close

Side glance

Play up your eyes

Lip liner + lip gloss= Fab

Go bold with big earrings. Keep hair simple.

Here are the drugstore/ discount brands worth- trying:

                                                                                  FACE

1. Revlon Photo Ready Foundation  2 Revlon Blush/Bronzer  Optional (3 & 4 ) 3 Maybelline Mineral Veil to seal makeup  4 e.l.f. Shimmer powder to highlight cheekbone.

1 Wet n Wild Icon Eyeshadow  2 Black eyeliner  3 Maybelline mascara   4 Maybelline clear mascara for eyebrows (Optional 5 ) e.l.f. eyebrow filler (use brown eyeliner to fill/shape your eyebrows)

Wet n Wild lip liner and lip gloss

Look fab today. With or without a date :-)

* Get inspired*  Love is a natural beautician. Love yourself. Love others.