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16 Valentine’s Day Makeup Looks and How to Achieve Them

These ideas won’t disappoint.

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Valentine’s Day is just on the horizon. Whether you're planning a romantic date night, an outing with your gal pals, or a special evening for one, a Valentine's Day–inspired makeup look is a must. Getting dressed up to celebrate is an instant mood booster, so to help you get inspired, we asked makeup artist Jordan Elias Sawyer to provide simple step-by-step tips to achieve makeup looks that will be perfect for this holiday. Trust us when we say there's a look for everyone, from neutral glam options to bright and colorful looks. And of course, it isn't Valentine's Day without at least one (or two) red lip options, right? And don't forget to get festive with your nails, too. Whatever you choose, you're sure to fall in love with these celeb-approved looks. Keep scrolling for major inspiration.

1

Play Up Your Lashes

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Jennifer Lopez's full glam look is all about the eyes, says Sawyer. Start by applying a dark liner like MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder and then use a bronzer (Sawyer loves this one from Nars) to create that warm, rich smoky eye. With regards to the lashes, Sawyer recommends putting on a coat of mascara before applying your falsies to avoid product buildup. The Ardell Seamless Underlash Extension kit adds natural but noticeable volume.

2

Bronzed Glow

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Cookbook author Chrissy Teigen has mastered the "just got back from a beach vacation" makeup look, and it's perfect for V-Day. According to Sawyer, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit is perfect for recreating this bronzed glow. Use the bronzer in the contour kit on top of your cheekbones and on your forehead for sun-kissed warmth.

3

Romantic Eyeshadow

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This diffused eyeshadow technique seen on Tracee Ellis Ross is trending, says Sawyer. To achieve Ross's perfect pink look, choose an eyeshadow in a vibrant rose and pack the color onto your eyelid before blending upward and out—creating a gradient fade of color. Pair it with your favorite shade of red lipstick to create that gorgeous pink-red combo.

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4

Monochromatic Glam

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If you're looking for an extra bit of drama, try this look from the beauty queen Rihanna herself. For the eyes, use Fenty Beauty Snap Eyeshadow Palette #3, and for the deep purple lips, try KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Liquid Lipstick in Dark Wisteria.

5

Classic Hollywood

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A classic red lip never fails on any holiday or occasion. Swipe on your favorite lipstick (we like Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipstick in Tribeca) for a perfect look that works on any skin tone, says Sawyer.

6

Ombré Eyes

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If you're looking to up your eyeshadow game, try this gradient option. When creating this effect, Sawyer's advice is "choose colors that complement one another but contrast your eyes to make them stand out." They recommend a Melt Cosmetics makeup palette for its vibrant shades and outstanding pigment payoff.

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7

Dewy Skin and Red Lip

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Zoe Kravitz's natural, dewy look with a bold pop of color is a favorite of Sawyer's. Opt for a light-coverage foundation like Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer as the base to let your natural skin shine through. For the lips, Sawyer recommends MAC lipstick in shade Lady Danger to achieve that stunning warm red.

8

Roaring '20s

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This retro look from star Constance Wu is all about the sharp Cupid's bow, dark lipstick, and smoky eye. "Start small when doing a smoky eye," recommends Sawyer. "Using a fluffy blush, blend the color up first, and then out." For that dark plum lip look, try Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Believer, but be sure to use a small brush for maximum control and precision.

9

Shimmery Nude

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To get Beyoncé's flawless skin, Sawyer recommends Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation, which is a soft matte that does a great job of looking natural while still providing coverage. For those shimmery eyes, try Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette. And, pro tip: Don't be afraid to place the eyeshadow on the inner corners of your eyes (like Beyoncé did) to add a really beautiful highlight.

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10

Angelic Eye Glitter

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For the skincare queen who loves rocking a bare face, Saoirse Ronan offers the perfect Valentine's Day makeup inspiration. Sawyer recommends patting on the Urban Decay glitter eyeliner and using your fingers to spread it out before it dries to achieve Ronan's subtle but glitzy look. Then gently apply a pink lip and buff it out to get that perfect popsicle-stained look. We like Benefit Cosmetics Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint for this step. You can keep the complexion bare or add a BB cream.

11

A Bit of Gloss

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A matte powder is a must-have to achieve this perfected look from former First Lady Michelle Obama, says Sawyer. Try using the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder. For that subtle flush of color on the lips, Sawyer likes to use a lip liner to gently fill in, and then adds a gloss. Buxom Collagen Infused Lip Serum adds a beautiful shine and subtle color to your lips.

12

Sparkling Silver Eyes

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Look no further than actress Joey King for an example of modern, bold glam. "If you have blue eyes, then silver eyeshadows should be your best friend," Sawyer says. To get this beautifully icy look, it's best to keep everything else neutral, and use a showstopper sparkle for the eyes, like Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow.

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13

Lilac Lids

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Because monochromatic is the name of the game here, you only need a handful of products to achieve Awkwafina's Valentine's Day–ready look. Use a cream or powder blush as your eyeshadow and on your cheeks. You can even use a lipstick as a cream blush, lipstick, and shadow, says Sawyer.

14

Glitter All Day

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Gabrielle Union nailed the glitter makeup look. For maximum staying power, Sawyer recommends packing the glitter on with your finger or a dense eyeshadow brush for the best payoff. Danessa Myricks Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment is the perfect product for this look because it's bright and shimmery and doesn't create any fallout.

15

Pretty in Pink

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The eyes are "the statement piece" of this alluring look from Priyanka Chopra, says Sawyer, who recommends using the Anastasia Eye Palette in Modern Renaissance (an oldie but a goodie) to achieve Chopra's smoky eye with the pop of pink. Make sure to press in the eyeshadow color for maximum pigment―don't sweep or buff!

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16

Colorful Eyeliner

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Not a fan of eyeshadow? Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o shows off an easy way to play up the eyes by using colorful eyeliner to add a narrow pop of blue to the lower lash line. To really lean into this beauty motif, try pairing it with a matching colored mascara, like the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in Colbalt Blue.

Headshot of Monica Chon
Monica Chon

Monica Chon is the former editorial fellow at Oprah Daily, previously OprahMag.com.  

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