After a long winter, it’s time to come out of hibernation. Summer is the perfect excuse for a date night. Whether you’re planning on outdoor cocktails or a backyard barbecue, you can look fresh-faced, sun-kissed and on-trend in a breeze. Celebrity makeup artist Amanda Shackleton shares her favorite beauty looks for an evening on the town in this easy-to-follow guide.

1. Go (nearly) bare.
Ditch the heavy, dark colors along with your thick sweaters, and think light. To get an instant healthy glow, Shackleton suggests applying a shimmer powder to the raised areas of your face, such as your cheekbones, brows and temples. (Steer clear of your T-zone, which can create an oily appearance.) Finish off with a swipe of waterproof mascara, and you’re ready to wow.

2. Get cheeky.
If there’s one feature you should focus on this summer, it’s your cheeks. To achieve a pretty pop of color without baking in the sun, use a Puffs facial tissue to blend in cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. Bonus: You can use a dab of this multitasking product on your lips too.

3. Celebrate your skin.
Summer is for eating lobster, not looking like one. To steer clear of a ruddy complexion, be vigilant about wearing sunscreen every time you step out. Shackleton suggests trying a sunscreen powder, which goes on like a face powder and feels lighter than greasy lotions. For a gorgeous glimmer without baking in the sun, try rubbing coconut oil on your legs, chest and arms. You’ll get a healthy shine while smelling like a tropical vacation.

 
4. Don’t sweat it.
Don’t want to bother meticulously applying makeup if you’re just going to “glisten” it all away? Shackleton swears by waterproof, silicone-based foundations, which stay perfectly intact beneath your facial powder. For eyes? In addition to waterproof mascara, try a gel eyeliner. “Unlike pencils, they won’t smudge at all -- even if you go swimming!” says Shackleton.

5. Say bye-bye to black.
Chances are, dark colors will be pushed to the back of your closet for the next few months, so why shouldn’t the same go for your makeup? One of Shackleton’s favorite trends from the ’80s, colorful mascara, is back. “Thankfully, it’s a little more muted this time around,” she says. Trade in your usual black lashes for a subtle pop of dark blue or purple.

Let’s face it: Most of us prefer applying makeup to taking it off. So that may explain why many women aren’t removing their makeup correctly, which can lead to clogged pores and blemishes. To get the right technique -- and score a glowing complexion -- consider the following expert guide:

DON’T go overboard. When it comes to your skin, more isn’t always better. Beware of products that can dry out your skin, like harsh facial scrubs -- especially if you have a sensitive complexion. Dana Elise, a Beverly Hills aesthetician with a bevy of celebrity clients, advises against using baby wipes, which aren’t gentle enough for delicate faces. Instead, stick with makeup remover and tissues.

DO make it a habit. If your made-up face hits the pillow more than you’d like to admit, set up a makeup removal station at your nightstand. It should include makeup removal pads or towels, although Elise recommends using them sparingly to avoid drying out your skin. Another smart staple: witch hazel, which acts as a refreshing astringent for oily to dry skin, and tissues to apply it.

DO go in order. First things first: Remove makeup from lips and eyes. Your eye makeup remover can do double duty on your lips, although petroleum jelly or olive oil and a tissue also work. Next, use a gentle cleanser to rinse off foundation and dirt. Finish with a moisturizing serum.

DON’T choose any cleanser. Just like you pick your lip color based on your skin tone, you should match your makeup remover to your skin type. Take a cue from Elise: Opt for an oil- and alcohol-free product if you have oily or combination skin. Have a normal, sensitive or dry complexion? Pick a milk-based wash to keep your face baby soft.

DON’T wash with hot water. Experts say that it can remove protective oils, which can dry out your skin. Instead, use cool or warm water to rinse your face.

DO use a headband. Elise recommends leaving this face-washing staple on overnight: It keeps hair off of your forehead, which can minimize breakouts.

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

Flowers aren’t the only things popping up this spring. New trends are on the rise as we happily retire thick sweaters and tights. But putting together an in-season outfit is only part of the equation: Pairing it with the perfect makeup pulls your entire look together and ensures you pull off a daring trend. Not sure where to start? You’re in luck: We’ve taken out all the guesswork for you with this guide to the hottest spring trends and matching makeup.

1. Bold and Busy Patterns

This spring, you’ll see no shortage of statement prints, including snakeskin, stripes and embellished fabrics. When your clothes have a strong point of view, opt for more neutral makeup. Brooke Glaser, a celebrity makeup artist in New York City, swears by MAC’s paint pots to achieve a low-impact look with staying power, especially when she’s on the job at Good Morning America . Her two favorite shades that look the most natural but give a pop at the same time: Groundwork and Quite Natural. 

2. See-Through Looks

This transparent trend will be hard to miss: Sheer fabrics and crystal-clear accessories become more and more popular. And a barely-there aesthetic applies to makeup as well. “Less is more,” Brooke assures. “A natural, fresh look is best for spring.”

3. Feminine Touches

Extra-girly looks involving lace and floral prints dominated the runway this season. And this ultra-femme look is the perfect excuse to go glam with your makeup. Glaser recommends adding a retro edge with a strong lip color in non-red shades: Bright orange and bold pink are both chic choices for springtime. Experiment with shades, she says, by picking up inexpensive tubes at your local drugstore.

Once your mouth is perfectly painted (don’t forget to blot with a facial tissue!), keep the rest of your makeup minimal. “A winged-out black line on top of the eyelid can polish off this retro look,” says Glaser.

4. Pastel Palette

Fun sorbet shades aren’t reserved for your clothes this season. “You can totally rock a pastel pink lipstick when wearing pastel clothes,” says Glaser. Her advice: Apply bronzer so the light lip color doesn’t wash you out. Her top pick is Dior’s Amber Tan, but she also recommends MAC’s Give Me Sun for blending the neck and chest and Scott Barnes’s Body Bling for an all-over tan that won’t wind up on your clothes (just be sure to blend!). 

5. Go Green 

When tastemaker Pantone declared that emerald would be the color of 2013, they weren't just talking about clothes. Gemstone green beauty products -- like eye shadow and nail polish—are a must-try. Wary of going green? "A little bit can go a long way," assures Brooke. "Line the top and bottom of the inner lash line with a waterproof green eye pencil for a more subtle pop of color."

Photo by Atikh Bana on Unsplash

When it comes to the high-drama makeup found in fashion magazines, most of us think: “That’s gorgeous, but there’s no way I could pull that off.” But the truth is -- you can rock those looks!

With the proper application, you can make those funky hair and makeup trends appropriate for your lifestyle. Here are my simple steps for making five of the hottest new looks work for you!

Makeup Trend No. 1: Fire-engine Lips
One of my favorite trends for the coming season is the bold red lip. It creates instant glamour, but unfortunately, it also often makes a mess.

How to wear it: To avoid smears, choose a matte lipstick. Apply a thin layer to your lips with a brush. (Don’t rub your lips together, which can smear the color.) Then roll a tissue into the shape of a cigar, place it in your mouth as if you’re smoking it, and slowly drag it out to catch any of the excess lipstick.

Makeup Trend No. 2: Big, Bold Brows
Bold, architectural brows are in. But what looks fierce on the runways can come off a little intense in real life.  

How to wear it: For fuller brows that won’t scare your coworkers, dab a damp-angled brow brush into an eye shadow that’s one shade darker then your hair color. Then, flick strokes of color in any sparse areas of your brows. Make sure to apply in the direction of your hair growth. Next, dip a damp spoolie brush into the shadow and brush the entire brow until it’s lightly coated in color.

Makeup Trend No. 3: Goth Polish
If you’re not careful, inky nails can read a bit Wednesday Adams.

How to wear it: Instead of a straight black, choose a dark, deep hue like charcoal, navy or deep plum. If that’s still too edgy for your day-to-day, get just the right amount of drama by embellishing your base with a lighter hue: Use a scrunched-up tissue to transfer a thin coat of translucent metallic polish. Kind of like sponge painting, dab the tissue over your dark polish until you reach the level of opacity that you want. The layered colors add dimension to your mani -- not to mention a unique look!

Makeup Trend No. 4: Slicked-back Hair
Several spring catwalks showcased shellacked manes, but taken too literally this do risks looking more helmet head then chic. 

How to wear it: To get this sleek hairdo without the theatrics, style your hair while it’s damp. Instead of a gel, use a creamy mousse or hair lotion that will provide hold without the slickness. Then blow-dry, making sure that the root direction faces back and away from your face. Pull back sections from your hairline and clip each section back. (Tip: Use a tissue between the clip and hair to prevent dents.) Once your hair has cooled, spritz hairspray all over, and remove the clips when it’s dry.

Makeup Trend No. 5: Neon Shadows
Dare to wear pops of vivid shadows with these real life application tricks. 

How to wear it: Make those DayGlo shadows more wearable by using them sparingly: Apply the product to the outer corner of your eyes (below the crease). Shake off any excess powder, and with a small, compact “pencil” brush, blend the remaining shadow back and forth into your crease. With a bigger shadow brush, blend a beige shimmer shade over the entire eye. If you want to go bolder, you can either add another layer of your neon shadow, or apply it with an angled brush.

Photo by Doğukan Şahin on Unsplash

There’s no better time to get flirty than on Valentine’s Day -- especially when it comes to your hair and makeup. Soft waves, dewy skin and rosy cheeks create a dreamy, romantic look that’s perfect for the evening, whether you’re planning a big night out or intimate dinner at home. Try the following tips for makeup application to score a look you’re both sure to love.

1. Make some waves.
You can’t go wrong with loose, bohemian waves. Start by working volumizing mousse onto damp hair and blow-drying completely. (If you’re short on time, sprinkle dry shampoo, such as Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, on your roots.) Wrap small sections of your hair around a curling iron, only using the middle part of your strands; keep the iron away from your roots and ends. Repeat until you’ve curled all of your hair, then gently brush out and set with hair spray.

Want to wear your hair up? Show off your neck and shoulders with with a romantically undone ‘do. First, curl dry, unwashed hair with a large-barrel curling iron. Then pull your hair into a loose ponytail at the nape of your neck or to one side, and secure with an elastic band. Twist hair around the band until it forms and bun and secure with bobby pins.  Run your fingers through your hair for some wispy face-framing pieces and finish off with hairspray. For an extra touch, add a pretty headband.

2. Go light.
To achieve a gorgeous glow, skip heavy cream-based foundations. Instead, lighten up your look with an illuminating sheer liquid foundation, such as Stila’s Illuminating Liquid Foundation. Then dab on the concealer only where needed, and set with a translucent powder. To remove excess product, blot with a facial tissue.

3. Try a twist on the smoky eye.
Trade in your usual black or charcoal eyeliner for a pop of color, like emerald green, deep plum or navy blue. To apply, smudge the eyeliner along the top and bottom of your lashes; you want an uneven, soft look. Wrap your forefinger in a facial tissue, and swipe away any excess beneath or in the inner corner of your eye.

For an extra pop, dab a little white eye shadow in the inner corner of your eye or add a subtle gold liner just above the top lash line (apply on top of the colored liner). Keep the rest of your makeup neutral -- and all eyes will be on you!

4. Look pretty in pink.
In the beauty world, going match-matchy is usually a don’t. But the romantic look is an exception to this rule: Soft pink lips and cheeks create a super-dreamy appearance.

To avoid going overboard, apply the blush only to the apples of your cheek. Then add a touch of bronzer along the edges of your face: On each side of your forehead, a sideways “W” motion from the edge of your forehead to the cheekbone, and then from your cheekbone to the side of your jawline.

5. Get soft, dewy skin.
A simple trick for come-hither skin: Apply moisturizer before and after you put on your makeup. (You heard me right -- after!) Like to a topcoat of nail polish, lotion sets your look and adds a little glow. Pat, don’t rub, a little drop of moisturizer on your cheekbones, T-zone and chin -- and you’ll look gorgeous all evening.

Photo by Jose Martinez on Unsplash

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