Valentine’s Day: it’s got that ‘like it or hate it’ kinda vibe we all know and love (or begrudgingly deal with). But while I’ve never been a fan, I do see it as a cute holiday for going all in with my nail designs and my makeup.
V day can absolutely be a time of joy, no matter your relationship status or view on it. And while anything goes, I’m especially here for the romantic fluttery lashes, pops of pink flush and highlighted cheekbones of that ‘soft glam’ era.
I scoured Instagram for my fave looks; many of which I plan on recreating this Feb.
Whether you’ve got a hot date, are hanging with mates or simply want to stay in and get cosy on the sofa alone (join me here), I can guarantee that if you’re a makeup enthusiast, you’re gunna want to try these out…
Vampy valentines
Channel your inner Wednesday Addams this Valentine’s Day with this gothic yet incredibly chic makeup look.
Skin prep is super important here: use an AHA exfoliator such as the Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, £28, Look Fantastic, and apply Weleda Skin Food, £8.25, Cult Beauty on the high points of your face for a super glowy starting point.
The vampy, glossy lips are the focus of this look, so keep the rest of the skin as minimalist as possible. Define the eyes with a few coats of volumising mascara, brush through and shape your brows with a soft powder and softly contour under cheekbones. A swipe of liquid highlighter on the tops of cheeks, decolletage and shoulders will ensure this look feels fresh rather than flat.
For the crowning glory, outline your lips with a matte lip pencil to ensure your lipstick doesn’t bleed or move. Follow with a deep burgundy lipstick: Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint in Underdawg, £22, Sephora, is the ideal vampy shade. Tap a small amount of clear gloss on with your finger et voila.
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Pink haze
Not ready to let go of your glitter eyeshadow post-NYE? Me neither. This Valentine’s makeup combines shimmer with magenta: the shade set to be the trending colour of 2023.
Go monochrome and use different shades of pink across the board: By Beauty Bay’s Berries 16 Colour Palette, £12, Beauty Bay, contains all the hues you’d need to recreate this romantic eyeshadow look. Start by buffing a baby pink shade on the inner half of the eyelid and blend into a statement magenta shadow, bringing it under your lower lash line. Finish with a pop of highlighter on the brow bone and inner corners and add a few individual lashes for subtle definition.
To bring this look together, pat a pearlescent pink-toned highlighter on the high points of your face and apply a raspberry lip liner and gloss duo for the final touch.
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Delicate flush
Is there anything more romantic than a flushed pink cheek for V day? I think not. This gorgeous look, created by makeup artist and Instagram star Nikki Wolff, had me sold at first glance.
My advice for recreating this one would be to invest in a multi-use product that can be glided over eyelids and onto lips as well as cheeks, for a beautifully cohesive finish.
I’d also recommend picking a cream formula for that dewy, fresh feel. Nudestix’s products are ideal on both counts.
Lowkey lilac
There’s nobody more on trend RN than Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega. So if Jenna says ‘lilac eyeshadow,’ we say: ‘how much?’
What I love most about this is the subtle swipe of colour; pastels such as a soft purple are easier than you’d think to wear.
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect lilac shadow for years now; Kiko’s is my favourite and the best I’ve found. It’s so easy to use and is cheap as chips.
Red hot
You can’t beat a red lip any time of year, for any occasion. From deep burgundy’s at Christmas to tangerine-hued pops of colour during the summer, red is the most versatile lip shade in any makeup kit.
If you want to get real romantic this 14th Feb, why not give it a try on the cheeks and eyelids as well as the lips? Red works everywhere, after all.
Glow up
A gorgeously healthy, fresh glow is always on trend during the month of love. Follow model Rafeeka’s lead and opt for a skin tint and glossy blush to awaken the complexion.
Skin prep is key here; invest in a brightening serum to secure a perfect canvas for makeup.
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Pink’n’red
The one eyeshadow colour I will loyally return to every damn time is rose gold; I know, I’m such a millennial cliche. But rose gold looks excellent on all eye colours and skin tones, and works for numerous occasions to make any feel feel extra special.
A gorgeous way to wear it, as shown here, is with a bold red lip for double the trouble.
Finish off with fluffy, brushed-up brows and you’re good to go.
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Get graphic
Graphic liner was huge in 2022, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
The best thing about it is the ability to create any kind of look you want; there are no boundaries or rules and the more inventive, the better.
Wear with a wash of pink shadow this Valentine’s Day for a soft yet bold effect.
Fluttery romance
This right here sums up what ‘soft glam’ really means to me: it’s pretty, it’s glossy, and it’s ultra-romantic, perfect for 14th Feb.
Your main focus should be on achieving that soft flutter with some subtle corner lashes, along with a sweep of reflective highlighter and a glossy nude lip.
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Euphoria eyes
Another holiday, another opportunity to look to Euphoria for makeup inspo. Whether it’s for a festival or at that Halloween party, the bolds and brights of makeup artist Donni Davy never disappoint.
Get Kat’s look with a simple heart stamp, which can be used all over the face to show the love.
Glossy lids
Glossy lids – while wholly impractical – are captivating to look at. For this reason, they really only work for special occasions such as a V day date.
Use this affordable gloss alone or over your favourite eyeshadow, and finish the look with a softly-smudged lip.
Pretty in pink
Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes has an endless selection of V day makeup inspo on her Instagram, but this one stood out to me most. It’s so perfectly pretty and sugary sweet, it really embraces the essence of 14th Feb.
This shimmery eyeshadow is a lovely option that catches the light beautifully, and is worth the extra investment. The affordable price points of this lipstick and blusher make up for it, too.
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