Want a More Glamorous Look? Here's How
I'm really excited about a first date, but it's right after work. How should I do my makeup?
So you want to take yourself out of office mode and into romance mode? Sweet! The best advice I can offer is to think in terms of "polishing up" as opposed to "adding on." You don't have to remove all your makeup and start over, but I suggest you remove eye makeup and replace it. Why concentrate on your eyes? Because sincere eye contact is everything. But keep eye makeup simple so that your enchanting gaze will be the focus, not your eyeliner. The less self-conscious you are about eye contact, the more receptive your date will be.
- Before any makeup maneuvers, take a minute to mentally remove yourself from your office persona and assume the role of you again.
- Use a cotton swab, clean out any eye "goo" you may have collected during the day. Hey, don't squirm, we all get it; it's natural and healthy... it's just not pretty.
- After a day of work, mascara and shadow often smear, resulting in darkish circles. Gently cleanse these areas with makeup remover towelettes. I love the new, portable cleansing towelettes available in most drugstores.
- Curl your lashes and apply one coat of mascara. If you already have mascara on from the morning, instead of adding more (which could result in clumping), just curl your lashes and comb through with an eyelash brush to separate the individual lashes.
- Brush through your eyebrows with a hard-bristled grooming brush and pomade, paying attention to any wayward hairs. I actually use a firm-bristled toothbrush ‑- not the same one I brush my teeth with of course! Brushing the brows opens the eye area, and it feels good too, like a mini massage.
- If your blush has faded, you can layer on a subtle wash of color to your cheeks. Look for the sheer berry-toned cheek stains you can rub on with your fingers. They're great.
- Apply a drop of eye-whitening solution. Make sure not to touch the nozzle with your fingers to keep the solution as clean as possible.
- Finish off with a sheer berry lip pomade or lip stain, but no gloss gals! Gloss may look sexy, but if a romantic smooch is your objective, there's nothing worse than making out with gooey lips!
