The best date night make-up trick? Play up one feature at a time

First flirty cab off the rank involves bold, brick-red, long-lasting matte lips combining with artfully applied peach blush. Our hero version of this look comes from the Khaite Fall/Winter 2024 runway, in which make-up artist Diane Kendal used a meticulously applied punchy red lip with a backdrop of fresh dewy skin and a nude eye. (This look is a tribute to Khaite founder and designer Catherine Holstein’s late mother, who always kept a tube of vermilion by her bed.)

Make-up artist Diane Kendal used a punchy red lip with a backdrop of fresh dewy skin and a nude eye for this look.Credit: snapperimages.com

To get the look, colour the entire lip with red liner (try Laura Mercier Longwear Lip Liner in Plumberry, $48), then apply a matching lipstick (we love M.A.C Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Feels So Grand, $45) using a lip brush. Blot it, then reapply. If you feel this dense matte red is too daunting, apply a tint such as BeneFit LoveTint Lip & Cheek ($42) on top using your fingertips. This softens the effect.

If your eyes are your strongest suit, try a smoky eye. Ring the upper and lower lashes as close to the lash line as possible with a soft black eyeliner such as Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner in Raven ($46), then smudge a charcoal eyeshadow around the eyes using a blush brush. Apply two coats of mascara and a pink lip gloss – we like Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in Raspberry ($62).

For a softer eye, switch sooty for golden. Fill in the upper lash line and lower waterline with an eyeliner pen such as Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Or Rose ($50), then sweep a rose-gold shadow from lid to brow and finish with two coats of chocolate mascara.

For a lunch date, go for big, bold lashes. Begin by drawing a small cat eye on the top lid with a black liquid eyeliner such as Benefit Magic Ink Jet-Black Liquid Eyeliner, $44, before curling your lashes. If you have the skill, attach a few individual fake lashes at the outer edge, then apply two coats of volumising mascara to bind everything together (we like Victoria Beckham Future Lash Mascara, $56) . You can afford to go a little rogue on lips with this look; think a praline shade like Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, $54.

And let’s not forget the power of “no-make-up make-up”. Start out with a luminising tinted moisturiser like BareMinerals Complexion Rescue All-Over Luminizer ($57). Next, line your upper lash in a flattering brown using an eye pencil drawn as close to lashes as possible and add a coat of your favourite mascara. Then apply a neutral cream eyeshadow like Trinny London Eye2Eye in Wisdom ($34), on cheeks and lids. The finishing touch is flushed nude lips. Start with Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Whole Lotta Honey ($47) and finish with a dab of clear balm. You’re good to go!

ASK STEPH

How do I get rid of yellow toenail stains?
This is a sign that your toenails need a break from polish. Seek out a polish-free pedicure and get your nails lightly buffed with an automatic buffer before soaking them in a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts water to reduce any remaining discolouration.

Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

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