6 Evening Makeup Looks to Experiment With This Weekend

We’ve all been there: It’s time to get ready for a night out on the town—and you have no idea where to start with your makeup look. There are so many beauty trends, and if you’re being honest with yourself, you don’t know where to start. Lucky for you, we’re sharing six evening makeup looks that practically do the work for you, detailing exactly how to perfect everything from your eye makeup to your lip color. Read on to find your next date night or girls’ night out makeup look.

MAKEUP LOOK #1: STATEMENT LIP

One of the most iconic evening makeup looks involves wearing a statement lip color. Your lips are an easy feature to accentuate, with massive payoff. Chances are you want a pretty pout for the hot date or girls’ night you have on the horizon. Well, that’s what this look is all about. Follow these simple steps to get a statement lip, then keep the rest of your makeup, including your eye makeup, subtle so that your lips can truly pop.

STEP 1: EXFOLIATE YOUR LIPS

To prep your lips for a statement lip color, you’ll want to use an exfoliating sugar scrub, like our L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub. Apply a small amount of the scrub to your lips using dry fingers. Then, wet your fingers and massage the product over your lip. Rinse the scrub off with lukewarm water and pat dry. Your lips will be left feeling softer and smoother—and ready for your statement lip!

STEP 2: USE A LIP BALM

Continue prepping your lips by applying a lip balm. Go with a balm that isn’t tinted, since you’ll be applying your lip color in just a moment.

STEP 3: PICK YOUR LIP COLOR

The final step: Swipe on a statement lip color to complete this bold evening look. Consider rich colors like a classic red, magenta, or purple.

MAKEUP LOOK #2: VIBRANT EYES

Another evening look that never fails to impress is a vibrant eye. If bright eyeshadows sound right up your alley, keep your lip color neutral, and let your eyes be the center of your look.

STEP 1: APPLY YOUR EYESHADOW

While you can use individual eyeshadows for this look, investing in an eyeshadow palette with all the colors you need can make doing your eye makeup a little easier. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Avant Garde Azure. To start, apply a mid-toned blue shade to your lids. Then, use a brighter blue shade on the center of your lid, making sure to blend. Apply a lighter blue shade to the corner of your eye and drag it along your lower lash line, smudging it as you go. Finish your eyeshadow off by applying a dark navy blue shade to the crease of your eyelid. Blend out any harsh lines before moving on.

STEP 2: WING IT

Once your eyeshadow is applied, it’s time to line your eyes with liquid eyeliner. Winged eyeliner is the perfect way to add drama to any eye makeup look, and it makes an amazing addition to this vibrant eyes look. Use the L’Oréal Paris Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner, Waterproof in Black to draw your wing.

Editor’s tip: If you’re rusty on your winged eyeliner skills, read our article, How To Achieve Your Sharpest Winged Eyeliner Look.

STEP 3: LINE YOUR WATERLINE

Use a black pencil eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Black, to line your waterline.

STEP 4: ADD VOLUME TO YOUR LASHES

With an eye makeup look this bold, you’ll need lashes that pop, too. Sweep a volume-boosting mascara formula (we recommend our L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara, Lightweight Mega Volume Washable in Blackest Black) onto your lashes for an extra touch of drama.

MAKEUP LOOK #3: GOLDEN GLAMOUR

If you would rather have an evening look that doesn’t focus on emphasizing one feature in particular, this is a great makeup look to try. Gold is, has, and always will be in style. Start this look by using makeup to fake flawless-looking skin before topping off your cheeks with your choice of blush and bronzer.

STEP 1: BRING ON THE GLOW

After applying your base, you’ll want to start working on your glow by applying a highlighter. Dust the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder onto your cheekbones, collarbone, and shoulders.

STEP 2: MOVE ON TO YOUR EYES

Apply gold eyeshadow to your lids to add dimension and luminosity. Try using the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup in Crown Gold. To emphasize the metallic finish, apply a matte shadow in the crease of your eye for contrast. Finish your eye makeup with your choice of liner and mascara.

STEP 3: PAINT YOUR POUT

Use a trendy, metallic lip gloss to give your lips a high-shine, glittery finish. Try the L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Lip Stain in Pure Gold lip topper.

MAKEUP LOOK #4: NATURAL BEAUTY

As the saying goes: Less is more. For this evening makeup look, you’ll focus on emphasizing your natural beauty.

STEP 1: DEFINE YOUR BROWS

For this natural makeup look, you’ll want to define your eyebrows. Use the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Boost & Set Brow Mascara to boost the volume of your brows for natural-looking, thick eyebrows. Then, using a small concealer brush, follow with a matte concealer on the underside of your brows, like our L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage, to define your eyebrows even more.

STEP 2: APPLY YOUR EYESHADOW

Using neutral eyeshadow shades will emphasize your eyes without overpowering your natural glam. Turn to a palette that has everything you need, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette. Use a medium brown shade on your lids, a light highlighter shade on the inner corners of your eyes, and a dark brown in your creases—and don’t forget to blend!

STEP 3: EMPHASIZE YOUR LASHES

Apply a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise™ Mystic Black to give your lashes voluptuous volume and intense length.

MAKEUP LOOK #5: DOUBLE LINER

There’s only one thing better than winged eyeliner—double winged eyeliner. By using two shades, you can create a statement evening makeup look that won’t go unnoticed.

STEP 1: CONCEAL IMPERFECTIONS

For this look, you’ll be skipping eye shadow, so rely on a concealer to help hide any discoloration or imperfections. Apply a shade that matches your skin tone to your lids from the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Multi-Use Concealer line.

STEP 2: LINE YOUR EYES

Take a black eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Black, and draw a thin line along your upper lash line. Flick it out at the end to create a wing.

STEP 3: LINE AGAIN

Next, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner, Waterproof in Burgundy. Use the black line you just created as a guide, tracing right along it for a contrasted look. Mimic the wing you created for a double-wing look.

STEP 4: APPLY MASCARA

Finish up your look with a few coats of volumizing burgundy mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Bold Eye Mascara in Deep Burgundy. Easy!

MAKEUP LOOK #6: POPPING CHEEKS

Last but not least, consider focusing your evening makeup look on your face—specifically, your cheeks. All you need to do is apply a blush that will contrast beautifully against your skin tone.

STEP 1: APPLY FOUNDATION

Create an even canvas by applying a lightweight buildup foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender to apply the liquid formula, building to your desired coverage as you bounce the sponge up and down across your skin for a seamless finish.

STEP 2: GRAB YOUR BLUSH

Pick a blush color that’s at least two shades darker than your skin tone from the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil line. This will provide a beautiful, popping contrast that will instantly liven up your complexion. Swipe the color onto the apples of your cheeks.

STEP 3: ADD SOME HIGHLIGHT

To finish your face makeup, use your fingertip to dab a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops onto your cheekbones for the perfect shimmering touch.

Next up: Now, if you’re ready to try these evening makeup looks, check out our article, How To Do Your Makeup and Hair For a Girl's Night Out, to complement your entire look.