Get Gorgeous By Tonight! 3 KILLER Makeup Looks

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Confession time: When it comes to our nighttime makeup prep, we’ve become a little too reliant on the ol’ black-eyeliner-and-a-neutral-lip look. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) But, this summer, we’re ready to embrace change with our makeup— especially if we’re going from a pretty daytime face to a knock-’em-dead look for night. 

In search of some serious inspiration, we turned to makeup mastermind Maki H., who’s known for her downtown-girl style. Through emphasizing texture and dimension, she’s created three totally do-able transformations that will shake up your summer looks in all the right ways. So, read on to see a cool, colorful take on day-to-night makeup — and don’t be surprised if you develop a strong desire to step away from your usual routine.

Red lipstick is often filed into the wear-at-night category, but it turns heads during the day — especially when the hue has a modern matte finish. Here, Maki applied Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color in Scarlet Rouge to Victoria’s lips, patting the color in with her fingers to create a slightly gradated effect. 

As gorgeous as matte lips can be, here’s a time when matching isn’t a good thing. If your lips are matte, avoid a matte finish for your complexion. “Dewy skin goes with matte lips,” says Maki, who highlighted Victoria’s cheeks with Aerin Pretty Bronze Illuminating Powderto create a soft, light-catching shimmer. 

The Reformation top, $118, available at The Reformation; Osklen twill foil linen shorts in silver, available at Osklen Soho, (212) 219-8250; Osklenfish-skin flat, available at Osklen; Aesa ‘solar knot’ brass cuff, available at Barneys New York; Jill Golden earrings in gold, $137, available at Jill Golden.

Got 10 minutes? That’s enough time to switch up your look for night — just change the focus from your lips to your eyes. Summer evenings call for a bit of color, and violet hues are unexpected (and particularly flattering for brown and hazel eyes, too). 

To create an intense but soft eye look, sweep a neutral eyeshadow, such as Lancôme Color Design eyeshadow in Must-Have, across the entire eyelid. Next, define the top lash line withLancôme Artliner in Amethyst, and draw over it with a pencil liner (such as Make Up For Ever Kohl Pencil in Pearly Black Purple) to add a smoked-out effect. 

Next, apply a purple eyeshadow such asLORAC Long Lasting Eyeshadow in Delight. Apply it lightly from the lash line just past the crease and the outer corner of the eye. Use a small shader brush to blend any hard edges — the idea is for the color to have a soft, diffused effect. To frame the eyes, use that same color along the lower lashes (“It adds clarity and boldness,” Maki says).

Anyone who’s worn bright lipstick knows that removing every last bit of color can be challenging. Maki’s suggestion: “Use makeup remover with a cotton pad, then apply foundation to the lips.” Here, Victoria applies Dolce & Gabbana Monica Voluptuous Lipstick in Nude Beige with her fingers. 

To further define the cheekbones, just add bronzer — here, Guerlain Terracotta Lightilluminates Victoria’s cheekbones while giving them a more sculpted look.

The finished nighttime look: simultaneously soft and bold.

…and so stunning at night!

Charlotte Ronson metallic side cut-out dress; Rauwolfoval-cut gemstone mirrored clutch in pale gold, $1,470, available at Rauwolf NYC; Mawi rose gold spiked gemstone ring, $388, available at Luisa Via Roma.

How enviable is Naoumie’s complexion? For this healthy-looking daytime glow, Maki recommends adding a bit of luminizer to your foundation. Here, she also applied Pierre Hardy for NARS Blush Palette in Boys Don’t Cry to the apples of Naoumie’s cheeks. To keep the eyes natural, she brushed MAKE Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster into the inner corners of her eyes. The finishing touch: Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color in Black Orchid. Yes, the five-minute face can look this good. 

Karen Walker navy clutch, $185.51, available at Precious Peg; Marissa Webb Verona dress, $995, available at Marissa Webb.

Switching your eyes up for night is as easy as one-two-three. First, apply Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Cool Gold on your eyelids. Blending in the lime-green sheen of CK One Color Summer Long Wear Cream Eyeshadowwill create a stunning patina-like effect. 

Secondly, use a black liquid liner (such ashttp://www.sephora.com/calligraphy-liquid-eye-liner-P202104?skuId=1057173“>Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Eyeliner) to line the top lash line, extending the color past the outer corner of the eyes. “Extended eyeliner says ‘night,’ and it also makes the eyeshadow color more defined,” Maki says. 

Lastly, plump up your lashes with a volumizing mascara. (Maki used Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara.)

Nighttime calls for a little more razzle-dazzle, and a finishing powder is the easiest way to get there. Here, brushing MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade on the highest point of the cheekbones adds an ever-so-slightly-frosty shimmer. Voila: instant candlelight. 

Tom Ford Beauty brush, $70, available at Neiman Marcus.

When wearing a bold color on your eyes, keep your lips simple. “The eyeshadow is strong enough,” Maki says of this look. Add the slightest hint of shimmer with Shiseido Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer in Topaz. 

Novis white lace T-shirt, available at American Two Shot; Shourouk orange ‘DS’ earrings, $475, available at Farfetch.

All dressed up…and everywhere to go. 

Beau Coops for Karen Walker shoes; Marissa Webbshorts, $535, available at Marissa Webb; Osklen salmon skin purse, available at Osklen Soho, (212) 219-8250; Mawi bangle, $624, available at Yoox;

The perfect equation for summery daytime makeup: sun-kissed cheeks plus a muted neon lip. To give Courtney a just-went-to-the-beach glow, Maki used NARS The Multiple in Puerto Vallarta on her cheeks. She complemented that warmth by highlighting eyes with Tom Ford Beauty Limited Edition Cream for Eyes in Escapade. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bolero pulled the look together. “Keep the other parts of your makeup as simple as possible with this shade,” Maki says of the lips. “Instead of using color, try to play with texture.” 

Charlotte Ronson vest; Edith A. Miller T-shirt; Marissa Webb leather moto pant, $1,495, available at Marissa Webb; Shourouk ‘Double Cora Zambia Rainbow’ multi-color stone necklace, $996.34 at Shourouk.

This night look is the most dramatic of the three, and though it takes a little more effort, the end result is worth it — trust. 

To create this look, Maki lined the upper and lower lash lines with Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in True Blue. Then, she layered the two darker shades of Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad in Emerald Lust to create a winged, but soft-around-the-edges eye. The key to keeping the color bold, but not heavy? “Use a dark color outside the eye and in the eyelid crease,” Maki says. “Apply a lighter color to the inner corner and center of the eye.”

Usually, wearing bright color on both the eyes and lips is…tricky, to put it lightly. But, by toning down the lip color, you can create a muted effect that doesn’t compete with the other color on the face. To get this look, try dabbing the slightest hint of MAC Lipstick in Candy Yum Yum on lips.

A little texture in the hair…

Honor short sleeved crop top, available at Honor NYC, (212) 255-2233. Tanya Taylor ‘Smith’ pant, available at Louis Boston; Chrissie Morris for Tanya Taylor heeled sandals; Jennifer Fisher double skull ring, stylist’s own; Rauwolf gemstone mirrored clutch in dust, $1,420, available at Rauwolf NYC.

…and you’re ready to stay out way past your bedtime.

Photographed by Sunny Shokrae

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