12 Gorgeous Valentine's Day Makeup Looks and Hairstyles to Try
By Hannah Morrill and Kaleigh Fasanella
OK, so we're going to assume you clicked on this link because Valentine's Day is one of your favorite holidays, and you either have an at-home date with your significant other or virtual plans with some friends. Keeping with that assumption, you've probably been preparing: A romantic dinner? Check. The perfect gift? Check. A few spritzes of your favorite fragrance? Check, check, and check. Now, all you need is to pick the perfect hair-and-makeup combo for February 14, and you're all set to get your romance on.
Luckily, we've done the legwork for you and found 12 stunning beauty looks for you to choose from — courtesy of some of the industry's top makeup artists. Keep scrolling to find Valentine's Day-inspired smoky eyes, a monochromatic pastel pink look that's positively dreamy, soft glam, and more hair and makeup ideas. One is sure to fit your aesthetic.
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A Kiss of Pink
Just because it's Valentine's Day doesn't mean you have to go for a full glam moment. If minimalist makeup is more your vibe, try a simple one-shadow look, like this pretty pink number by makeup artist Vincent Oquendo. "I created a subtle look using the Shiseido Kajal Ink Artist Shadow in Lilac Lotus, starting at the base of her lash line and blending from there," he tells Allure. We're also fans of Colourpop's Lilac You a Lot Palette for this look.
Then, just add a few coats of your favorite mascara, some clear lip gloss (we're partial to Tower28's ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss), and a bit of tinted brow gel, and you'll be good to go.
- Instagram/@jennakristina2/12
Smoky Eyes and Soft Waves
When in doubt, wearing pink lipstick is always a good idea on Valentine's Day. After all, just look to Lili Reinhart, who paired her Barbie-pink lips with soft, gray smoky eyes and a bombshell blowout for added glamour.
"This look was a modern take on old-Hollywood glam," says makeup artist Jenna Kristina. "The pink lipstick has blue undertones, which can help make your teeth look brighter and whiter."
To score this sultry look at home, line your upper lash line with a chubby eye shadow pencil (like Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in the shade Shadow). Then, smoke the pigment out with your finger or a cotton bud until everything looks seamless.
Try a nourishing formula like Dior's Addict Stellar Shine Lipstick in shade Be Dior (a gorgeous fuchsia) to make lips look extra juicy and kissable. And hair-wise, if you follow these pro tips for doing a blowout at home, and you'll master it in no time.
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Shimmery Sunset Eyes
Believe it or not, this high-voltage eye look isn't as hard to recreate as it may seem. Makeup artist Hung Vanngo began by prepping eyes with MAC's Paintpot in Layin' Low (a creamy beige color) to give the shadow something to adhere to. He then used several shades from the NikkieTutorials x Beauty Bay Pressed Pigment Palette — including Blend & Snap!, Zomer, Mikai, Aura, and Ivy — to achieve a stunning reddish-pink sunset effect on the lids. (Pro tip: Make sure you have some excellent blending brushes on hand, as it'll make the process way easier.)
Finish off the eye looks with some black kohl liner on the top lash lines, and blend it until it's soft and smoky. Then, add several coats of mascara. For the lips, you can either go the neutral route or follow Vanngo's lead with a vibrant coral. He reached for Rare Beauty's Matte Lip Cream in Brave.
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Sleek Bun and Rosy Monochrome
Don't feel like doing anything with your hair? Copy our girl Selena Gomez and go for a fuss-free-yet-polished low bun. Not only will it take less than two minutes, but it'll also let the makeup really stand out. Speaking of which: For this monochromatic look, all you need is some black eyeliner, a peachy blush that'll double as eye shadow, and a pigmented lip gloss in a similar shade to tie everything together.
Rare Beauty's new Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush in Nearly Neutral works beautifully on both cheeks and lids, while Fenty's Gloss Bomb Cream in the shade Cookie Jar is a great option for the lips.
Need help creating a cat-eye? This step-by-step guide has got you covered.
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Pastel Pink Monochrome
As far as monochromatic makeup goes, this look on Lucy Hale couldn't be easier — or more romantic. Start by painting your lids in a shimmery pastel pink color, like Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Magnetic Pink. Then, tightline your upper waterline before sweeping on mascara for added definition. Finish off the look with a muted light pink lipstick, such as Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek in Werk, which you can also dab on your cheekbones for a flirty flush.
"Because we went with a soft eye shadow, we could make this look really all about the eyelashes," Kristina tells Allure. “I layered Ishimmer Individual Lashes in multiple sizes for a natural-looking lash.”
Oh, and this hairstyle is just about as simple as it gets, too. Use a flatiron to add a few bends throughout the hair for beachy waves. Then, add a barretteon either side of your head, and you're all set.
- Instagram/@yolondafrederick6/12
Natural Curls and Bubblegum Lips
"For those who want to deviate from the norm, pink is the new red," says makeup artist Yolonda Frederick a.k.a. the mastermind behind this beautiful, soft glam look. Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Lip Cream in the shade Mauve Wive$ was the star of this romantic pink lip, as well as a shimmery dark pewter shadow on the lids for a seductive effect. Marc Jacob's Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Pewter Please! is a perfect color match for this eye look that'll blend out easily all over the lids. Simply dot the liner all over and then blend using your fingers or your favorite eye shadow brush.
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Reverse Cat-Eye and Red Lips
Bored of your basic winged eyeliner? Use Valentine's Day as an excuse to experiment with a reverse cat-eye instead. "It lends a fresher touch to an otherwise timeless glam look," says makeup artist Porsche Cooper. "Rather than lining the upper eyelid, I went for the lower lashline and flicked the eyeliner up and out once I reached her outer eye contour." After, layer on your favorite true red lipstick, and you can call it a day.
- Instagram/@jennakristina8/12
Winged Liner and Popsicle Lips
As long as you have some makeup fundamentals under your belt, you can master this look in under 15 minutes flat. "I combined this cat-eye with a candy-colored lip stain focused in the center of the lips," says Kristina. Any of these Allure-approved lip stains will do the trick.
Also, create a cat-eye with either a gel liner or black eye shadow rather than a liquid liner for a softer vibe. Maybelline New York's EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner is an excellent, affordable option that comes with a handy thin-tipped liner brush.
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Soft Glam
"My inspiration for this look was mainly focussed on neutral, golden makeup tones yet still glam," says makeup artist Pauline Briscoe. "I went for soft smoky eyes with a nude lip."
With a blend of brown shadows on the eyes, Briscoe created depth, followed by Lash Magnifique's Bernice lashes for a doe-eyed feel. To let the eyes stand out, she kept the rest of the face slow-key with a clear glossy lip and warm terracotta-toned blush.
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Gilded Lids and Fuchsia Lips
"Pink and red are both beautiful colors to use this upcoming Valentine's Day," says makeup artist Delina Medhin. "Opt for a magenta pink to line the lips and give them a more defined look. Then, place a lighter pink on the inside to give the lips even more definition."
The Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Promiscuous is a spot-on color match for this look, plus it's great for both lining and filling in lips. As for the eyes, simply apply a sparkly gold shadow all over the lids, stopping before you hit the crease, and then finish by creating a thin wing with whatever liquid liner you have on hand.
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Textured Waves and Terracotta Lips
If you're not a fan of traditional Valentine's Day colors, opt for an unexpected red lip moment instead. "Uoma Beauty's Badass Icon Matte Lipstick in Tina is a warm, smoldering red that brings passion to any moment," says Frederick, who created this dreamy look on Ciara. "This fiery color will definitely ignite Valentine's Day fun."
To get this hair look at home, simply use a flatiron to create small bends throughout the mid-lengths and ends, as this will give you the texture you're looking for. Then, spritz the hair with some texturizing spray (all of these are great) to get that effortless, "lived-in" look.
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Mermaid Waves and Foiled Red Lips
"For this look, I was really thinking of The Wizard of Oz, the yellow brick road, and those famous ruby red slippers," says Lizzo's go-to makeup guy, Alexx Mayo. "I layered multiple shades of gold to give a metallic dimensional look to the eyes, and then, I used a loose red glitter over lipstick to create the ruby red lip."
If the idea of loose glitter sounds too intimidating, try using a sparkle-flecked lipstick, like Pat McGrath Lab's Blitztrance Lipstick in Blood Rush, for a similar finish. Eye-wise, we recommend Allure's Best of Beauty-winning Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eyeshadow in the Gold Nugget Glitter.
