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Go Straight From Work to the Party With This 5-Minute Makeup Upgrade

December 30th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

arte Tartlette Palette and MAC Smolder on my eyes, Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope on my cheeks, and MAC Ultimate Lipstick in Femme de Luxe and NARS Easy Lover Gloss on my lips

One of my New Year’s resolutions? Go to more parties.

But the free food and drinks and great excuse to wear heels are not the primary drivers here (although, not gonna lie, they’re all super fun reasons)… My main reasons are “research.”

No, seriously. Parties are perfect places to talk to people about makeup!

Case in point: at my BFF Cindy’s birthday lunch a couple weeks ago (aka Carb Fest 2014!), I sat next to a gal named Stacy. When I introduced myself, the first thing she said was, “Oh! You’re Cindy’s makeup blogger friend!” which, of course, opened the floodgates. 🙂

We covered so many bases! We talked about under-eye concealer (run to the closest NARS counter, and pick up Pure Radiant, ASAP), highlighting, and traded makeup ideas for parties.

Stacy wanted ideas for fast ways to crank up her makeup after work, but she said she didn’t have the best blending skills.

I suggested three things — a black pencil liner, a bright lipstick, and five minutes.

First, the before…

The before/work look

the Tarte Tartlette Palette on my eyes, Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope on my cheeks and Tarte Ethereal Pink Lipstick
Here’s the before look. I’m wearing the Tarte Tartlette Palette on my eyes, Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope on my cheeks and Tarte Ethereal Pink Lipstick on my lips.

This would be a typical standard-issue work makeup look for me with neutral eyes, cheeks and lips.

Step 1: Reducing shine, and applying black liner

Tarte Tartlette Palette and MAC Smolder on my eyes, Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope on my cheeks and Tarte Ethereal Pink Lipstick
MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder

First, blot or reapply powder on any shiny spots, and then line your upper and lower water and lash lines with a creamy black pencil eyeliner. Next, soften the lash lines with a pencil brush, then create a smokey haze around them.

Now, to intensify the look, apply a new coat of mascara to your upper and lower lashes.

Stop here if you just want to end with a smokey eyes/nude lips combo.

Step 2: Apply a bright hot pink lip

Tarte Tartlette Palette and MAC Smolder on my eyes, Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope on my cheeks and MAC Ultimate Lipstick in Femme de Luxe on my lips
MAC Ultimate Lipstick in Femme de Luxe

Replace the nude lipstick with a bright hot pink lipstick.

(Optional) Step 3: Add pink gloss

Tarte Tartlette Palette and MAC Smolder on my eyes, Le Metier Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope on my cheeks, and MAC Ultimate Lipstick in Femme de Luxe and NARS Easy Lover Gloss on my lips
NARS Easy Lover Lip Gloss

To make your lips look fuller and shinier, add a layer of pink lipgloss on top.

Seriously, this whole look is so easy! You can do it in five minutes in the bathroom at work, or on public transpo on the way to the party (just don’t poke your eye out!).

A few more tips…

  • Use a smudgy black eyeliner. Anything soft and creamy will be easier to blend. I used MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder here, but MAC Feline is another good one.

    I’d stay away from long-wearing gel liners, though, because they set so quickly and are hard to manipulate once they’re dry.

    You could also do a long-wearing gel liner on your water lines and a smudgy kohl on your lash lines if you want, but that’s just another option.

  • It’s OK if things get messy. I think what’s great about this look is that you don’t have to be super precise. I kind of like that it’s a little messy… Makes it look more rock ‘n’ roll.
  • Get that liner in between the roots of your lashes. The look is more intense if your lash and water lines are completely black.

    This is totally key! Don’t skip it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Go Straight From Work to the Party With This 5-Minute Makeup Upgrade / Originally published December 30th, 2014

Categories: Makeup Tips/How To

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Agata says

    December 30th, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    Great tips, Karen. Although I don’t think I will have to use them anytime soon since going to aparty after work doesn’t really happen to me ever 🙂 That lipstick shade gets me every time. One day I’m gonna get it!
    Agata recently posted … New Year’s Eve Makeup Look

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 30th, 2014 at 8:12 pm

      You never know when you’ll need to get party-ready in a hurry. Happy New Year!

      Reply
  2. Allison C says

    December 30th, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Super helpful post, Karen! What an amazing transformation without a lot of effort! I am a true believer in tightlining — makes a real difference especially for us light-eyed gals. And the bright pink lippie really turns up the dial. Thank you for a great year’s worth of wonderful, funny, creative, and informative posts! Happy New Year 🙂
    Allison C recently posted … Best Beauty Products of 2014

    Reply
  3. hanna says

    December 30th, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    Great tips! Getting between the lashes and waterline is a great idea. Can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself.
    hanna recently posted … Trying out Smile Brilliant

    Reply
  4. LindaLibraLoca says

    December 31st, 2014 at 1:15 am

    Bright lipstick is my go-to pickup after a work day. Before I leave, I apply it and instantly feel ready for the after-hours.
    Tightlining is one thing I discovered only this year, but that already made a big difference in my makeup. As Allison C mentioned above, especially the light eyed girls really benefit!

    So here´s to more parties in 2015!
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … New Years Eve

    Reply
  5. tirurit says

    December 31st, 2014 at 4:29 am

    I usually do not go for the kohls as I have oily lids, plus in summer this little piece of land in the middle of the sea is a humid inferno! A very nice MUA recommended to me the MAC Powerpoint eye pencils this summer and I have been loving Buried Treasure. They are smooth on application, and you can work with them for a bit but then they set and don’t budge. Perfect! As I have a horrible pulse, I love to apply it and then simply sumdge it onto a winged line!

    Have you tried them?
    tirurit recently posted … Favourites 2014

    Reply
  6. gio says

    December 31st, 2014 at 5:10 am

    What a gorgeous look! And so easy and quick to do too!
    gio recently posted … Worst Of Beauty 2014

    Reply
  7. Icequeen81 says

    December 31st, 2014 at 5:18 am

    Looks great

    Happy new year Karen

    Reply
  8. Amanda says

    December 31st, 2014 at 8:58 am

    That lipstick looks great on you! I have so many hot pinks but I may need to add one more to my collection.

    Reply
  9. Kelly B. says

    December 31st, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Really beautiful look! I love how it’s still soft and feminine but the darker colors give it a gorgeous edge!
    Kelly B. recently posted … New Years Eve Outfit + Standout Make Up

    Reply
  10. Tatiana says

    December 31st, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Love these tips! Wish I could wear liner on my waterline. My eyes are so sensitive that any time I try to line my waterline, my eyes turn red, red, red and tear up something fierce and get really itchy, so everything ends up running down onto my cheeks. I end up looking like a character from a horror film. At my age, I try to keep the emphasis going up anyway. Haha.
    Happy New Year to you, Tabs and El Hub!

    Reply
  11. ADONNA WILLIAMS says

    December 31st, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    beautiful.

    Reply
  12. Erin says

    December 31st, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    It’s always fund to see how simple black eyeliner can change a look DRAMATICALLY!
    Erin recently posted … Champagne Cocktails: Ring in the New Year with style!

    Reply
  13. Deanna says

    December 31st, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    These are great tips, Karen! I sometimes grab dinner or drinks with friends after work, so I will definitely be putting these tips to good use.

    Reply
  14. Kiss & Make-up says

    January 1st, 2015 at 5:12 am

    Loving the transformation! 100% party proof!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Personal | My New Year’s resolutions for 2015

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my two-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my cat (Tabs).

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