7 Gorgeous Valentine's Day Date Night Makeup Ideas

Valentine’s Day—it’s a time for love, lots of chocolate, and finally getting the courage to rock that red lipstick you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Valentine’s Day only comes once a year, but we guarantee you’ll fall head over heels for these makeup ideas—so much so that you’ll continue wearing them long after this February 14th has passed. Whether you’re celebrating by hanging out with your best girlfriends, watching a rom-com, or meeting your significant other for dinner, you’ll certainly look your best when you try one of these five makeup looks, featuring everything from classic red lipstick to shimmering eye shadow.

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #1: CLASSIC RED LIPS

There’s no denying that Valentine’s Day is synonymous with red lipstick. For some of us, it’s the one time of year when we bring out the big guns and rock a bold pout. On V-day, let your red lips do all the talking by keeping the rest of your makeup super neutral. Think: Just a swipe of mascara and a dash of concealer.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Color Correcting Crayons

L'Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Waterproof Mascara Blackest Black

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-ly In Love

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Neutralize the appearance of discolorations

Cover up any redness, dark circles, or blemishes with a color correcting concealer. Try a green concealer for redness, peach for dark circles, and yellow for purplish discolorations.

Step 2: Keep your eye makeup simple

Since you’re keeping the focus on your lips, opt for simple eye makeup—a coat of lifting mascara should do the trick.

Step 3: Paint your pout

Outline your lips with a matte red lipstick, then fill in your pout. Kiss, kiss!

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #2: DEWY SKIN

Valentine’s Day falls smack dab in the middle of winter—which can lead to your skin looking a little, well, duller than usual. That’s where a dewy foundation can come in handy. Imagine how amazing luminous-looking skin will look against a candlelit backdrop on date night?

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Lock Makeup Primer

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Foundation

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Prep your complexion

Before applying any foundation, massage a thin layer of primer onto your skin. This can help to create a smooth, even canvas for makeup application.

Step 2: Next up, foundation

Apply foundation using a makeup blender. Use dabbing and rolling motions to blend the foundation onto your skin.

Step 3: Set your look

Finish your look off with a face powder. This can help lock your look in so it will last throughout all of the lovey-dovey moments the night has in store.

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #3: SHIMMERING LIDS

Let your eyes shine on Valentine’s Day with the help of a shimmering eye shadow.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Metallic Eyeshadow in Aluminum Foil

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Dewy Petal

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Apply allover color on your lids

Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to dust a metallic eye shadow across your lids, making sure not to extend the color past your crease. By keeping your color confined, you won’t risk overwhelming your lids.

Step 2: Add the finishing touch with your lips

Go for glossy pink lips by using a shiny pink lipstick. Apply the color starting with the center of your upper lip and work your way outward. Then, glide the bullet across your entire bottom lip.

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #4: METALLIC VERY BERRY LIPS

If you want to bring out your sultry side this Valentine’s Day, opt for a metallic berry lip. Stand out from the crowd with this bold color—there’s no way you won’t catch that certain someone’s attention.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub

Lip primer

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints/Lips Metallic in Smoldering Eclipse

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Exfoliate your lips

When wearing a dark lip color, flakes and lines will look accentuated. So, before applying, exfoliate your lips with a scrub to slough off dead skin cells from skin’s surface.

Step 2: Swipe on a lip primer

Using a lip primer can help to ensure that your color will apply smoothly and wear evenly, so you don’t have to worry about a ton of touch-ups during your time with bae.

Step 3: Add color

Apply metallic lipstick. Start at the center of your upper lip and work your way toward the outer corners, then fill in the rest.

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #5: GLOWING HIGH POINTS

If you want to shine like an angel this Valentine’s Day (and why wouldn’t you?), the best way to get the job done is with highlighter. By applying reflective makeup to all the right places, you’ll look positively lit-from-within. Gorgeous!

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops

Get the look by following these simple steps: 

Step 1: Start with your cheekbones

After you’ve applied your face makeup, squeeze a few highlighter drops onto a makeup blender and gently dab the product onto your cheekbones.

Step 2: Move on to the tip of your nose

After you’ve blended your gorgeous glow onto your cheekbones, dab some of the luminous liquid onto the tip of your nose, which can help bring attention front and center.

Step 3: Add the finishing touches

To finish up your glowing visage, squeeze a highlighter drop onto your pinky and dab it around the inner corners of your eyes. Finally, tap the remaining highlighter along your brow bone, and you’ll officially look like a real-life angel.

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #6: burgundy eyes

Red is the unofficial, official color of Valentine’s Day, and we think this bold hue can look gorgeous on your eyes. Here’s how:

What you’ll need:

L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in Deep Burgundy

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Black

L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte-ison Avenue

Get the look by following these simple steps: 

Step 1: Brush on your color

Using a small eyeshadow brush, swipe on a bit of dark red eyeshadow, focusing on the outer corners of your eyelids for an eye-opening effect.

Step 2: Line your lids

Reach for your black eyeliner pencil and line your top and bottom lash lines.

Step 3: Layer on your mascara

Here’s where you have the opportunity to get creative: You can either paint your burgundy mascara onto just the tips of your lashes after you’ve already applied a regular black mascara, or you can go for a full-on burgundy eyelash look. Either way, your date is sure to be smitten.

VALENTINE’S DAY MAKEUP IDEA #7: Gorgeous rose gold

In our opinion, Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to try out the gorgeous rose gold makeup trend. After all, what makeup shade is more romantic than rose gold? A subtle rose gold eyeliner is easy to apply and easy on the eyes.

What you’ll need:

L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Rose Gold

L'Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara

L'Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette

Get the look by following these simple steps: 

Step 1: Brush on nude eyeshadow

Since you want to really allow your rose gold liner to pop, reach for one of the light nude shades in the palette and paint it over your entire lid.

Step 2: Apply your liner

Rose gold is a fairly subtle hue, meaning it will pair perfectly with a more dramatic eyeliner shape, such as a cat eye.

Step 3: Apply mascara

All that’s left is applying a few coats of mascara and you’re good to go.

Next up: 14 Gorgeous Hairstyles That Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day