Look Hotter at Any Hour

Get ready to rock the sexiest makeup shades from dawn to dusk.

Lots of products promise to last and last, but that doesn’t mean you want to wear the same thing day and night. In the a.m., you crave soft shades that reflect sunlight. After dark, your pupils dilate and inhibitions fade, so deep eyeliners and bold hues appeal. Here are all the colors — and expert tricks — that will keep you gorgeous around the clock.

Weekend

Your strategy: Keep it soft and sheer during the day. At night, experiment with an ultraglam look.

Sun-kissed skin. Extra sleep on the weekend helps restore circulation, making under-eye circles less obvious. So just use a tinted moisturizer with SPF and top with bronzer, says Pati Dubroff, a celeb makeup artist for Dior.

Radiant cheeks. Chances are, you’re already rosy, since you’re getting more outdoor activity and vitamin-D exposure now than during the week, notes NYC dermatologist Francesca Fusco. Opt for a sheer blush with a powder base — it will last for hours.

Shimmery eyes. Simply touching your eyelids feels soothing, says psychologist Andrew Williams, PhD, author of How Do You Compare? So stroke on a soft shadow with your finger to maintain your relaxed mode. “Then dot liner between your lashes,” says makeup artist Mally Roncal. “It defines your eyes without needing loads of heavy mascara.”

Peachy lips. When you’re out having fun, your serotonin levels may spike, which causes your lips to swell from the boost in circulation. Skip plumpers and go for an orangey- pink gloss — the warm hue matches your happy mood and golden skin tone.

Iridescent skin. Many women have an instinct to connect with guys at night, explains Williams. That means you want to reveal more of yourself, skin included. To really glow, top your foundation with shimmer powder. “Your skin will glisten in a club or the moonlight,” says Roncal.

Tawny cheeks. Adjust to the darkness with a deeper blush than you’d wear by day, says celeb makeup pro Matin. But apply it before you go out. Bar lighting is cavelike, so you could overapply by accident.

Intoxicating eyes. “Smoky eyes are sexy for evening,” says Matin. “And using rich blue shades is less predictable than black.” Apply a wash of cobalt shadow, concentrating it at your upper lash line. Drag some shadow along your lower lash line; finish with two coats of mascara.

Luminescent lips. Offset your dramatic eyes with a low-key, kissable pout. “Pale beige lipstick looks spectacular, very mod,” says Matin. To help it stay put, dab your lips with concealer first, then pat the lipstick on with your finger instead of swiping it straight from the tube.

Weekday

Your strategy: Stick to fresh and clean neutrals when you’re in a hurry. Then just intensify everything to dazzle after dark, says Matin.

Smooth skin. “When you wake up, your skin is in its most dewy state,” explains Dr. Fusco. “You don’t need to cover it up much.” Just apply a thin veil of foundation. “Skip thick formulas, which can separate over time, making your skin look mottled later,” says Matin. Then dab concealer over blemishes and under-eye circles.

Rosy cheeks. “Because your circulation is slower in the morning, your cheeks will be pale,” says Dr. Fusco. Fake a subtle flush with cream blush. “Then dust on translucent powder to set the color,” says Matin.

Elegant eyes. “Earth tones echo the daylight and are simple to kick up later,” says Dubroff. Sweep on a beige shadow, hitting your lash line and crease with an extra layer. “This enhances your eyes without being too intense,” notes Dubroff. Finish with mascara

Lovely lips. Your pout needs plumping in the a.m., since your body is just warming up. Bite your lips to amp up blood flow to the area, then pat on balm. “Avoid dark tints—they can look harsh for day,” warns Roncal.

Silky skin. “By night, your skin has lost a lot of hydration,” says Dr. Fusco. “And things like air-conditioning and heat hasten that process.” Counteract the bone-dry effect with a revitalizing foundation spray to freshen up. Then conceal blemishes with an illuminating makeup pen. Finish with sheer powder on your T zone.

Gorgeous cheeks. Ever notice how your face becomes flushed and rosy as the day goes on? “Stress and caffeine intake can create extra redness by causing the blood vessels to swell and expand under the skin,” explains Dr. Fusco. So don’t pile on more blush — just brighten your existing shade with a sweep of translucent shimmer highlighter.


Sensual eyes. Your pupils dilate and turn catlike to help you see better at night, says Dr. Fusco. Take that seductive, sex-kitten effect up a notch by rimming your upper and lower lash lines with eyeliner. Flick the line up slightly when you reach the outer corners of your eyes, like you’re making a mini check mark. “It opens up the look of your gaze even more,” notes Dubroff. Refresh your morning shadow then your mascara by brushing out any flakes with a lash comb (or a mascara wand wiped off with a tissue) before applying two new coats.

Glamorous lips. “Most people’s inhibitions decrease in the dark because the environment is very anonymous,” explains Williams. Take that as your cue to wear a slick red lipstick, which looks especially sizzling in dim settings. “Pick lipstick over a gloss, since it won’t rub off as easily,” advises Dubroff.