Valentine’s Day hair and makeup: 11 Beauty Panel looks that dial up the romance

Date February 6, 2014

Single or taken, Valentine’s Day is an excuse to get all dolled up, show the world what you’ve got and look totally fierce in the process. There’s no shame in letting the day of love inspire a change in your beauty routine, especially when flowers, hearts and anything red or pink make for ideal hair and makeup looks. So, this February 14, it’s time to try out that romantic beauty look you’ve been saving on Pinterest or coveting since it debuted on the spring runways (hello, Dolce & Gabbana!). What better to make your crush swoon? All in the name of love, of course.

Challenge 48: What’s your Valentine’s Day beauty look? See the answers now! »

As mentioned, Dolce & Gabbana had us head-over-heels for their perfectly fresh Spring 2014 faces. Coupled with a windswept updo and delicate floral hairpiece, D&G’s light-pink lips, rosy cheeks and soft smoky eye was romantic yet understated. But a come hither look doesn’t always have to be soft—a deep red lip may just be, after all, the beauty look most associated with Valentine’s Day. However, if you know you’re going to be kissed, why not save yourself the trouble and do a blotted stained lip like the ones at Monique Lhuilier?

To help inspire a special Valentine’s Day makeup look of your own, we asked Beauty Panel to share what they’ll be doing on February 14. Christa Potter of Perilously Pale shows how to do a gorgeously alluring smoky eye, perfect for batting those long lashes at a beloved. When it comes to lipstick looks, JJ Cowan from Secrets From Your Girlfriends goes for a bold matte red lip while The Pretty Vain’s Amy McKissock went ultra glossy with a bright pink lip and defined brows. All of our panellists look absolutely fetching in their own way—so, which look will you rock on Valentine’s Day?

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.

JJ Cowan
Toronto | Secrets From Your Girlfriends

Valentines beauty is all about romance. It’s that one-day of the year (other than Halloween) when you can go all out with hearts and glitter and it’s completely acceptable. You could literally go to a rooftop and scream I LOVE YOU from a bullhorn and be greeted with cheers of encouragement to continue – the other 364 days of the year, most likely, not so much! Over the years, I’ve had mixed feelings towards the tradition of Valentines Day because I like to show those I care about an abundance of love 365 days out of the year, not just on February 14th. However, over time I have grown to enjoy the pressure of exuding the overwhelming love that Saint Valentines solicits and of course as the true beauty obsessed I cater my makeup to match. Embracing the romance of the holiday, I tend to go for minimal beauty on Valentines Day because I believe there is nothing more beautiful and captivating than a natural glow that illuminates love. I paired my pale, messy hair beauty look with a bright red lip, simple cat eye and a red nail for some extra drama and topped it all off with a heart sweater that bleeds love.

Products used: Nars Dragon Girl Matte Lipstick, Stila Cosmetics Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, OPI Vodka and Caviar Nail Polish, Garnier Beach Chic Hairspray.

Laurelle Alexandra
Toronto | Paint Me Pretty

I have to say I love Valentine’s Day, not for the day itself but for all the pretty things that show up in the stores. I might be biased because my birthday is the day after but I definitely enjoy a good Valentine’s Day makeup look.

For Valentine’s Day I like to keep my makeup simple. I love the soft, beautiful romantic look. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good bold lip and a dramatic eye, but there’s something so beautiful about soft, subtle makeup applications. I love the subtlety of soft eye makeup, with minimal liquid liner and a nice pink rose lip. I love natural looking makeup more than anything and I think it’s fitting for Valentine’s Day. Enhance your beauty so you are still you, just a more enhanced you without looking over done. And of course I had to have flowers in my hair, I mean it is Valentine’s Day after all!

Products used: One Love Organics Skin Savior, Make Up For Ever’s Face & Body Foundation, Benefit’s Porefessional, Cover FX Cream Foundation, Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder, Benefit’s Bronzer in “Hoola,” Makeup Forever’s Aqua Brow Kit, Kat Von D’s Liquid Liner in “Black,” Too Faced ‘Natural Eyes’ Palette, Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara, Annabelle Black Khol Liner, Bobbi Brown Blush in “Pale Pink,” Illmasqua Lipstick in “Test,” Buxom Lip Gloss in “Samantha”

Maggie Ng
Toronto | Beauty PhD

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to bat those lashes at your loved one. *Pitter! Patter!* For my “Valentine’s Beauty Look” includes false paper butterfly lashes by Flashes Eyelashes for a unique touch. I decided my lashes would be the main focus, so the rest of my makeup is quite subdued, except for my lips, which has a nice pop of bright red! I also wanted some nice shimmers of highlight, so pigments and illuminators were used on my eyelids, brow bone and cheekbones.

I also decided to keep my hair off my face by pulling it back in a sleek ponytail and wrapped it with a strand of hair at the base for a clean and simple look.

Products used: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Dior Hydra Life BB Creme SPF 30 in “01 Luminous Beige,” Face Atelier Camouflage Duet in “Light,” Glo Minerals Pressed Powder Foundation in “Natural Medium,” Korres Quercetin & Oak Anti Ageing Eye Primer, MAC Pigment in “Vanilla,” M.A.C Crushed Metallic Pigment in “Darling Coquette,” Lise Watier Eye Shine Waterproof Eye Pencil in “Midnight Black,” Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, Benefit They’re Real! Mascara in “Black,” Flashes Eyelashes False Paper Lashes, Duo Lash Glue, Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in “#4 Taupe,” Lise Watier Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo, Nars Illuminator in “Copacabana,” Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15, Dior Addict Lipstick in “#536 Extreme”

Shayna Wiwierski
Winnipeg | A Pop of Colour

Although I will be celebrating “pal”entine’s day this year, that doesn’t mean that I should look any less glam. Although Valentine’s Day can be sort of depressing for all single ladies, I actually really like it. Who doesn’t love seeing pink and hearts everywhere? Just because you haven’t found your valentine yet, doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate the holiday.

For this look, I wanted to keep it sweet, yet still sexy (you never know who you’ll run into!). I used purple eyeshadows to really bring out my blue eyes and then a pale pink lipstick for a sexy pout. For the hair, keep it flirty with some loose waves and volume at the roots.

Products used: Arbonne Makeup Primer, Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation with SPF 15 in “Fair,” Arbonne Eyeshadows in “Linen,” “Cabernet,” and “Sand,” M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Beautiful Iris” and “Phloof!,” Marc Jacobs Beauty Magic Marc’er in “Blacquer,” Cover Girl Bombshell Mascara in “Very Black,” Arbonne Intelligence CC Cream in “Medium,” Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in “Park Avenue Princess,” Arbonne Blush in “Taffeta,” IT Cosmetics Hello Light Powder Illuminator, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, YSL Rouge Volupte in “#7 Lingerie Pink”

Alison Leong
Vancouver | Alison*Elle

Pink eyeshadow can be tricky to pull off, making one’s eyes appear super red or skintone-clashing, which is why I often avoid it. However, once you find the right shade that works for you it can really be beautiful. Thankfully I’ve found mine and while I don’t wear it often, if there’s ever a time to sport pink eyeshadow, Valentine’s Day is it! I decided to base my Valentine’s look around a rosy colour palette and ended up with a soft, delicate look that’s perfect for a romantic night out. I started with a peachy base on my eyes and a cool pink in my crease. Next, I lined my bottom lashes with a shimmery blue eyeshadow to create some contrast and my top lashes with a smokey grey, which is less harsh than a black liner. Some blush and a long wearing lipstick completed my look.

Products used: Lise Watier Quatuor Imagine Eyeshadow Quartet, Lise Watier Waterproof Eyeliner in “Smokey Grey,” Maybelline Volume Express Turbo Boost Waterproof Mascara, False Eyelashes from Daiso, Lise Watier Imagine Blush, Lise Watier Rouge Infini Lipstick Duo in “Tender Pink Glam”

Christa Potter
Kawartha Lakes| Perilously Pale

I love a diffused brown smoky eye. It is sultry and sexy yet a little softer than a traditional grey/black smoky eye. It is also amazing for bringing out those baby blues for your hot Valentine’s date out… or night in. The key to this look is achieving a soft gradient with the eyes. I prefer using matte browns in the crease since my eyes are hooded. I love to use luminous shades like shimmering browns and champagnes on the lid, inner corner, and lower lash line to really draw attention to the eyes and open them up. Keeping the look fairly messy carrying the shadows quite low on the lower lash line really amps up the sexiness of this look. Skin is kept fresh and radiant with soft pink cheeks and a nude shimmering pink lip that is layered to last through your dinner date or even through a little hanky panky!

Products used: Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation in “S101,” Clarins Instant Concealer in “01,” Lancôme Rose Ballerine Blush, Make Up For Ever in “#1,” Illamasqua Heroine, Burberry Eyeshadow in “Pale Barley” and “Midnight Brown,” Rouge Bunny Rouge Loose Glitter Pigment in “Embrace of Cashmere,” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, Nars Eye Paint in “Mesopotamia,” Nars Brow Perfector in “Salzbourg,” Benefit Gimme Brow in “Light Medium,” Clarins Be Long Mascara, Esqido Mink Collection False Lashes in “Unforgettable,” Rouge Bunny Rouge Long Lasting Lip Pencil in “Roald,” Rouge Bunny Rouge Glassy Gloss in “Rahat Lokum”

Marilou Moles
Ottawa | Twenty York Street

Despite the bad rap about Valentine’s Day that it is a commercially made holiday, I love it! I’m all for celebrating it, going out for it and getting dolled up for it. Since it is about celebrating love, I prefer a softer more boho romantic look. Either emphasize your eyes or your lips! A subtle smoky eye, paired with either bold red or pretty pink lips is perfect for a sweet Valentines date!

Products used: Bourjois Clubbing Mascara, Epic Blend Lip Balm in “Apple Green,” Maybelline Stick Foundation, Rimmel Bronzer and Revlon Lip Gloss

Anna Raponi
Oakville | Vanity Presse

Switching it up from the typical ‘done up’ looks that I would usually imagine for Valentine’s Day, I thought a more lived-in, smoky look would be refreshing. Instead of reds and pinks I opted for peachier tones to keep things soft, but still lots of definition around the eyes. Obviously every look looks best with even skin— I used a medium coverage foundation alongside a creamy concealer to conceal blotchiness and spots.Using a cream, yellow-toned highlighter and my foundation brush, I added some sheen to the tops of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose and eye lids. Finally, to set everything in place, I applied a translucent powder to my entire face.

To bring the warmth back to my face, I used bronzer along my cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin and used a peachy-pink blush on the apples of my cheeks. Using a mix of the bronzer and blush, I applied with a fluffy brush to the creases of my eyes for some definition.

Along my upper, outer lash lines, I applied a matte black shadow with an angle brush, then blended out with my fingers. Continue adding shadow and blending until you get enough definition. I finished with a few coats of mascara to my upper lashes.

Finally for the lips, I dabbed on a soft coral shade with my fingers—no precision or technique here, just a stain. And voila! A soft, simple look that while doesn’t look like a ton of makeup, brings warmth and dimension to your face and definition to the eyes.

Products used: Make Up For Ever Velvet Matte Foundation, Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer, Benefit Watt’s Up Highligher, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light,” Nars Laguna, Nars Orgasm, Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in “Caviar,” Lancôme Hypnose Star Mascara, Stila Liquid Lipstick in “Bellisima”

Stephanie Lau
Toronto | Fun Size Beauty

Ahh Valentine’s Day, love is in the air. 99% of the year, makeup is whatever I want it to be. But when I think February 14th… I usually look to please my significant other in one way or another. He’s not too fond of the crazy makeup looks that I enjoy (see Alien Makeup Tutorial). Often, he’ll tell me I look good without any makeup, but I know the fresh-faced look is more appreciated than the dull skin and dark circles.

I started off with a medium coverage base and kept it simple with a purple-brown eyeshadow over a shimmery cream shadow. On the lips, I chose a vivid colour but nothing too harsh.

Now, after doing all of this, about 15 minutes has elapsed. I’m probably late for that lunch or dinner reservation, the boyfriend is impatient, and I’ve got no time to rummage around my blush collection. So I finish the look off with the same lipstick used previously and tap it onto the apples of my cheeks for a warm, long-lasting flush of colour.

Products used: NYC Expert Last Lipstick in “Purple Crush,” Cover Girl Bombshell Mascara, Cover Girl Bombshell Shine Shadow in “Ice Queen,” Almay Smartshade Mousse Makeup

Amy Mckissock
Burlington | The Prettyvain

Valentine’s Day is only a week away and that means its time to create a romantic and pretty makeup look for your date! And while I am not a big fan of this Hallmark holiday, my boyfriend and I have decided to spend Valentine’s Day at the Ripleys Aquarium in Toronto. This has inspired a fun fresh makeup look with a shimmering pink lip that is perfect for a day date.

To create this beauty look I first created a flawless base with the Urban Decay Naked Foundation, which not only feels lightweight on the skin but also lasts all day long, especially when set with the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. I then contoured my cheekbones using a bit of NARS Laguna Bronzer, filled in my brows with my favourite brow powder, M.A.C Charcoal Brown, and coated my lashes with 3 coats of Cover Girl Bombshell Volume Mascara. To create this signature lip look I used the Cover Girl LipPerfection Lip Colour in 327 Bombshell Explosion and topped it off by dabbing the Cover Girl Smoochies Sizzle Gloss in Date Night onto the lips with my pinkie finger. This gloss adds a beautiful shimmer that can amp up any look but looks especially amazing when paired with this hot pink.

Products used: Urban Decay Naked Foundation, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Nars Laguna Bronzer, M.A.C Charcoal Brown, Cover Girl Bombshell Volume Mascara, Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lip Colour in “327 Bombshell Explosion” and Cover Girl Smoochies Sizzle Gloss in “Date Night”

Genevieve Peeke
Montreal | Gen In The City

My Valentine’s Day look is all about looking flirty and ready for any type of date! I start off with an illuminating primer and then use my favourite foundation to even out skin tone. I like to have flawless skin on a date! I use a creamy concealer to hide any blemishes or dark circles. I then use some bronzer to give me a sexy glow and i contour with it as well to give me a chiselled look. I swipe on a hot pink blush to give my cheeks that just-pinched appearance. I then set everything with my favourite matte translucent powder. Next step is the eyes; don’t forget to use an eye primer! I fill in my brows and then create a subtle yet noticeable sultry smoky eye. I use a shimmery champagne colour on the lid, a gunmetal grey in the crease, black in the outer V and blended into the crease and a shimmery ivory colour for the brow bone. I then line my eyes with a n intense black liner and apply some liquid eyeliner. Curl your lashes and then apply your favourite volumizing mascara. The next step is my absolute favourite; swipe on a fun bright pink lip stain! The stain will last all night and the colour will pop against your smoky eye. Set it all with some makeup setting spray and you are good to go!

Products used: Lise Watier Luminous Correcting Primer, Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in “130 shell,” Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in “Light,” Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in “02,” Revlon Cream Blush in “200 Flushed,” Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Natural Eye Palette (as brow powder), Makeup Forever Midnight Glow Palette (for shadows), Essence Liquid Eyeliner, Revlon Eyelash Curler, Revlon Photo-ready Kajal in “Carbon Cleopatra,” Annabelle Expandable Mascara, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in “020 Lovesick”