One of my New Year’s resolutions? Go to more parties.
But the free food and drinks and great excuse to wear heels are not the primary drivers here (although, not gonna lie, they’re all super fun reasons)… My main reasons are “research.”
No, seriously. Parties are perfect places to talk to people about makeup!
Case in point: at my BFF Cindy’s birthday lunch a couple weeks ago (aka Carb Fest 2014!), I sat next to a gal named Stacy. When I introduced myself, the first thing she said was, “Oh! You’re Cindy’s makeup blogger friend!” which, of course, opened the floodgates. 🙂
We covered so many bases! We talked about under-eye concealer (run to the closest NARS counter, and pick up Pure Radiant, ASAP), highlighting, and traded makeup ideas for parties.
Stacy wanted ideas for fast ways to crank up her makeup after work, but she said she didn’t have the best blending skills.
I suggested three things — a black pencil liner, a bright lipstick, and five minutes.
First, the before…
The before/work look
This would be a typical standard-issue work makeup look for me with neutral eyes, cheeks and lips.
Step 1: Reducing shine, and applying black liner
First, blot or reapply powder on any shiny spots, and then line your upper and lower water and lash lines with a creamy black pencil eyeliner. Next, soften the lash lines with a pencil brush, then create a smokey haze around them.
Now, to intensify the look, apply a new coat of mascara to your upper and lower lashes.
Stop here if you just want to end with a smokey eyes/nude lips combo.
Step 2: Apply a bright hot pink lip
Replace the nude lipstick with a bright hot pink lipstick.
(Optional) Step 3: Add pink gloss
To make your lips look fuller and shinier, add a layer of pink lipgloss on top.
Seriously, this whole look is so easy! You can do it in five minutes in the bathroom at work, or on public transpo on the way to the party (just don’t poke your eye out!).
A few more tips…
- Use a smudgy black eyeliner. Anything soft and creamy will be easier to blend. I used MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder here, but MAC Feline is another good one.
I’d stay away from long-wearing gel liners, though, because they set so quickly and are hard to manipulate once they’re dry.
You could also do a long-wearing gel liner on your water lines and a smudgy kohl on your lash lines if you want, but that’s just another option.
- It’s OK if things get messy. I think what’s great about this look is that you don’t have to be super precise. I kind of like that it’s a little messy… Makes it look more rock ‘n’ roll.
- Get that liner in between the roots of your lashes. The look is more intense if your lash and water lines are completely black.
This is totally key! Don’t skip it!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Great tips, Karen. Although I don’t think I will have to use them anytime soon since going to aparty after work doesn’t really happen to me ever 🙂 That lipstick shade gets me every time. One day I’m gonna get it!
You never know when you’ll need to get party-ready in a hurry. Happy New Year!
Super helpful post, Karen! What an amazing transformation without a lot of effort! I am a true believer in tightlining — makes a real difference especially for us light-eyed gals. And the bright pink lippie really turns up the dial. Thank you for a great year’s worth of wonderful, funny, creative, and informative posts! Happy New Year 🙂
Great tips! Getting between the lashes and waterline is a great idea. Can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself.
Bright lipstick is my go-to pickup after a work day. Before I leave, I apply it and instantly feel ready for the after-hours.
Tightlining is one thing I discovered only this year, but that already made a big difference in my makeup. As Allison C mentioned above, especially the light eyed girls really benefit!
So here´s to more parties in 2015!
I usually do not go for the kohls as I have oily lids, plus in summer this little piece of land in the middle of the sea is a humid inferno! A very nice MUA recommended to me the MAC Powerpoint eye pencils this summer and I have been loving Buried Treasure. They are smooth on application, and you can work with them for a bit but then they set and don’t budge. Perfect! As I have a horrible pulse, I love to apply it and then simply sumdge it onto a winged line!
Have you tried them?
What a gorgeous look! And so easy and quick to do too!
Looks great
Happy new year Karen
That lipstick looks great on you! I have so many hot pinks but I may need to add one more to my collection.
Really beautiful look! I love how it’s still soft and feminine but the darker colors give it a gorgeous edge!
Love these tips! Wish I could wear liner on my waterline. My eyes are so sensitive that any time I try to line my waterline, my eyes turn red, red, red and tear up something fierce and get really itchy, so everything ends up running down onto my cheeks. I end up looking like a character from a horror film. At my age, I try to keep the emphasis going up anyway. Haha.
Happy New Year to you, Tabs and El Hub!
beautiful.
It’s always fund to see how simple black eyeliner can change a look DRAMATICALLY!
These are great tips, Karen! I sometimes grab dinner or drinks with friends after work, so I will definitely be putting these tips to good use.
Loving the transformation! 100% party proof!