6 Ways To Turn Daytime Makeup Into An Evening Look
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There's no rule that says you can't go full glam when the sun is shining, but if you want your makeup to be flawless, you do need to consider lighting. When the sun goes away, our makeup may need a little bit of something extra. But you don't have to carry your entire makeup collection to work — a few simple tips can help create the perfect makeup look for a night out. According to Bobbi Brown via MasterClass, that something extra can be as simple as a bit of color or contrast to help your makeup stand out without natural light.
So if you don't have time to go home and redo your makeup between work and a night out with your friends, don't fret. Creating a nighttime makeup look doesn't have to mean washing off your daytime glow and completely starting over. In fact, just a bit of refreshing and a few simple additions can transform your beauty look, without spending too much time in the office bathroom.
Choose the right foundation
Have you ever put on one of your favorite foundations, only to look in the mirror a few hours later to see it washed away, cakey, or no longer giving the right coverage? If so, it may be time to ditch your old foundation and try something new. Your foundation is the base for all of your makeup, so it's important to start with a good one so that it can last you through day and night without much work.
Long-wear foundations are what you want when going from daytime makeup to nighttime glam, but finding one isn't all that easy. When speaking with Byrdie, Emily Amick, a New York City-based makeup artist, explained that long-wear foundations work by having a higher water content that sticks to your face for a longer period of time. But you want to make sure you are also choosing one that isn't too thick or cakey. Some great options are the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup Foundation, which is the ultimate foundation for full-coverage, or for a super affordable option, the L'Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Foundation is buildable and contains an SPF.
Make concealer your new best friend
If you've only been focused on daytime makeup, you may not even have a good concealer in your makeup bag. But concealer does so much more than hide blemishes (although it's awesome for that too). It can also hide dark circles, which is ideal if you plan to be up late, and it can help your face look instantly illuminated. For something that can take you from day to night, you'll want something that's lightweight so it doesn't weigh down your skin or cause lines and creases before the sun sets.
Some great concealers include the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, which is ideal for dry skin, as it hydrates while you wear it. If you are hoping for a bit more coverage, the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer is a great option. It won't weigh down your skin, but will hide any blemish or line seamlessly. For those on a budget, you can't go wrong with the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. It will leave your face bright and fresh no matter the time of day, and at under $10, it can't be beat.
Add some shimmer
If you want to instantly take your look from office chic to night-out glam, the best way to do it is with some sparkle. An eyeshadow pen is an easy way to quickly swipe on some much-needed color and can be used lightly or heavily, depending on your evening plans. The ColourPop Shadow Stix is a great option, as not only will it give you that edge you crave, it will also last all day long, so you can apply it and forget it. You can't go wrong with a classic bronze, but if you are feeling spicy, consider using baby pink or metallic teal green.
Bobbi Brown tells MasterClass that you should be adding shimmer to your cheekbones as well. Using a highlighter or bronzer with shimmer can really amp up your look and make it nighttime appropriate. A favorite highlighter is the Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlighter. One quick swipe of the highlighter on your skin and you will be glowing from the inside out.
Go bold with your lips
Nothing says you are ready for a night out like a bold lip. While a simple gloss or light pink lipstick is great for the daytime, if you really want to look glam, you're going to need to up the ante. Chanel Makeup Artist Tyron Machhausen tells Forbes, "to wear bold lip color is really the easiest way to get the illusion of a full face of makeup." He also says that when it comes to the color you choose, throw out everything you used to know about what works for your skin tone. Instead, Machhausen says to go with what you like. "I think all those rules do not apply, especially with bold lipstick, because a warm orangey shade can look amazing on a cool [tone] person."
If your plans for the evening may be going past your bedtime, you'll want to go with a liquid lipstick, as it will last longer. If you want the classic red, you can't go wrong with the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick. The color "Voyager" is the perfect shade of red, but if you want something a bit lighter for a casual dinner, try "Visionary."
Always touch up your mascara
Lashes are a huge part of any look, but if you want to take your daytime look to evening glam, you are going to want to focus on them a bit more. Whether mascara is part of your daytime routine or not, don't skip out on it for your nighttime look. If you are already wearing mascara, use an eyelash curler to give them back their spark, and then apply a coat of mascara over what you currently have. If you do not have any on, you can start fresh, applying more than one coat after you curl.
And while any mascara can help the eyes pop, there are a few that stand above the rest. For a full glam look, go with a volumizing mascara. A great option is the Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara, which is super buildable and gives your lashes a full, bold look. We also love the classic Too Faced Better than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara, and the Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara for a budget-friendly option.
Finish it off with a setting spray
You may have the best intentions of your makeup staying put all night long, but there are a few things you need to do before you can head out for the night. A translucent setting powder, like this one from Laura Mercier, is great for keeping your foundation smooth throughout the day, but it may not be enough to take you late into the night.
If you feel that your skin needs a bit of a refresh after breathing in stale air conditioning all day long, consider adding something like this MAC Prep + Prime Fix+. The water base mixed with ingredients like chamomile and green tea not only gives you an instant refresh, but also helps keep your makeup on all day long. Regardless of what makeup and skincare you use, always finish your evening glam with a good setting spray. The Hydro Grip Dewy Long-Lasting Setting Spray by Milk Makeup and the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray are both great options, but we also love the Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist by e.l.f. Cosmetics if you want something less expensive.