Makeup is a powerful tool that can enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. Whether you’re getting ready for a special night out or just want to feel extra fabulous on an ordinary day, the right makeup techniques can make all the difference. Here are 20 tips and tricks to help you elevate your makeup game and feel next-level sexy.
1. Master the Smoky Eye
Everyone should learn how to pull off a great smoky eye. This is a classic look that instantly adds a sexy element of drama and allure to your appearance. Start with your favorite dark shadow on the outer corners and blend inward, using lighter shades as you go. This gradient effect makes your eyes look sultry and seductive. Be sure not to be heavy-handed, though; remember, it’s easier to add more than it is to remove.
2. Choose the Perfect Red Lip
Nothing says sexy and confident quite like the perfect red lipstick. Whether you opt for a bold, matte finish or a glossy shine, a red lip can instantly elevate your look. Figure out whether an orange-toned red or a blue-toned red will look best on your skin, and don’t forget to line your lips first for a precise application.
3. Highlight Strategically
Highlighting the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose, can create a glowing, youthful appearance. Use a brush or your fingers and swipe it at the high points of your face. You’ll find this will catch the light, giving you a luminous, radiant glow.
4. Draw on a Daring Cat Eye
Just like a red lip, nothing says confidence like a daring cat eye. Grab a liquid, kohl, crayon, or gel eyeliner and swipe away. You most likely won’t get it perfect the first time, and that’s okay. Everyone’s eyes are different, so you’ll need to experiment with which eyeliner shape best suits your eyes.
5. Contour for Definition
Only a few of us are lucky enough to be born with great jawlines and high cheekbones. For the rest of us, we can cheat our way to that look using contour. Contouring is the secret to sculpting your face and enhancing your natural bone structure. Use a contour shade to define your cheekbones, jawline, and nose, creating a more chiseled and sexy look.
6. Emphasize Your Brows
Well-groomed, defined brows can frame your face and instantly amplify your look. Fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil or powder, and use a clear gel to keep them in place all day. Be sure to blend out your eyebrows after you’ve filled them out; there’s nothing worse than boxy, cakey brows.
7. Go for Glowing Skin
A dewy, glowing complexion is the epitome of a naturally sexy look. To achieve a luminous glow, use a hydrating primer and a luminous foundation to achieve that lit-from-within look. Add a dash of highlighter to the high points of your face and set it with a glowy finishing spray.
8. Experiment with Bold Eyeshadow
When it comes to a nighttime makeup look, don’t be afraid to play with bold eyeshadow colors, such as deep purples, emerald greens, or electric blues. These shades can make your eyes pop and give you a daring, sexy vibe. But remember, you can’t wear a bold eye look with a bold lip; you need to pick one or the other.
9. Use Lip Liner to Enhance Your Pout
Lip liners can do wonders for enhancing the shape of your lips. You could trace the outer corners of your lips for a natural look, or if you want to really give off confidence, try outlining your lips slightly outside your natural lip line to create the illusion of fuller lips. Then, all you need to do is fill it in with your favorite lipstick.
10. Brighten Your Eyes with Concealer
A bright under-eye area can make you look more awake, refreshed, and youthful, which is key to feeling sexy. Try opting for a concealer that is one or two shades lighter than your foundation color, then add a small dab under the eyes and blend out. When it comes to concealers, less is more, so don’t overdo it.
11. Apply Blush for a Flushed Look
A touch of blush on the apples of your cheeks can give you a natural, flushed appearance that’s both youthful and sexy. Opt for shades like peach or soft pink for a subtle, healthy glow. If you want to take it a step further, look for a blush with a touch of luminosity to give your complexion a little extra oomph.
12. Layer Your Mascara
For long, voluminous lashes that command attention, layer your mascara. Start with a lengthening formula, then add a volumizing one for a fuller effect. When you’re done layering, don’t forget to break out the lash curler for a bright, open-eye effect.
13. Use a Lip Gloss for Extra Shine
Whilst a matte lip can be stunning, glossy lips are just undeniably sexy. They add a touch of shine and fullness to your pout that no other lip product can achieve. Apply a clear or tinted lip gloss over your lipstick for an irresistible, kissable finish.
14. Keep Your Makeup Long-Lasting
Nothing ruins a sexy look faster than makeup that doesn’t last. Always use a primer before applying your foundation, and finish with a setting spray to lock everything in place. So, no matter if you’re bar hopping through the night or working all day, your makeup look won’t budge.
15. Add a Pop of Highlighter to Your Cupid’s Bow
Want to draw attention to your lips in a subtle way? Try highlighting your cupid’s bow (the dip above your upper lip). A little touch of shine here can make your lips appear fuller and more defined and will certainly attract eyes to your lip area.