Beauty Boot Camp for Valentine's Day

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Romance is about subtlety, and your makeup should reflect that.

— Emilie Yount, co-editor of the blog Running With Mascara

Less Than Two Hours

If you have about the time it takes to watch a romcom to get your pretty on, work toward looking your most natural, gorgeous self. “Go with a softer look for Valentine’s Day -- simple and fresh,” suggested makeup artist Courtney Bryn Siegert. “Apply light concealer under your eyes and then stick to the basics: mascara, blush, lip gloss and some soft pink eye shadow.”

Emilie Yount, co-editor of the blog Running With Mascara, agrees that natural, understated tones are the way to go. “Colorwise, go for more muted tones, like taupe, heather and moss when choosing a shadow,” she said. “This will allow the mascara to do its job on the lashes without making the rest of the eye makeup look overdone.” Yount recommends pairing this look with a neutral foundation and light blush. “Romance is about subtlety, and your makeup should reflect that.”

Aiming for a natural look is equally important when it comes to doing your hair. Celebrity hairstylist Gregory Alan suggests a bombshell blowout that shows off your hair’s natural movement. “While blow-drying, use a medium-sized round brush and work from the bottom layers up, pinning the top portion of your hair out of the way and pointing the nozzle down to flatten the cuticle,” he said. “When your hair is fully dry, mist on a thermal-straightening spray, then glide a flatiron over the strands to kill any flyways and seal in silkiness.”

All Day Affair

If you have all day to get ready, go ahead and pamper yourself. Get a relaxing massage, a refreshing facial and a mani-pedi. Then experiment with some fun new beauty routines. “Having more time will allow you to get a little more involved with your makeup -- add a strip of false lashes or experiment with a few different shadow colors,” Siegert said.

Yount agrees that experimenting with some new eye makeup will be time well spent. She recommends choosing a shadow that complements the rest of your makeup scheme. Also, apply a light layer of powder to your eyelids before the shadow to ensure the shadow doesn’t change color once it's on. Afterward, use a sheer charcoal on the corners of your eyes; finish with a layer of mascara.

Finally, spend some quality time with your hair. Alan recommends treating it to a deep-conditioning masque to add hydration, body and shine. Then create some luscious, romantic waves. “Add a weightless mousse to wet hair to bring out its natural bounce, then dry your hair with a diffuser or let it air dry,” Alan said. “Starting at ear level, wrap chunks of hair around a large barrel curling iron, then lightly mist with a shaping spray and finger comb.” This approach will give you a wavy look that stays put while still remaining soft and touchable.

In a Pinch

If you’re running from the office or coming off a crazy day, don’t panic. Simply focus on using the products that matter most. “If you’re short on time, the most important products are pink lip gloss, mascara and some blush,” said Siegert. “These will automatically freshen you up and liven your appearance.” Yount also emphasizes the importance of using soft, neutral shades if you’re in a hurry, as they are less stressful to apply and will make you feel beautiful without drastically changing your current appearance.

Just as you shouldn’t stress over your makeup, don’t rush to create an elaborate hairstyle, either. Alan recommends going for a carefree, messy bun, as it's quick, easy and gives you a sexy, tousled look: “Part your hair from above the arches of each brow back to the crown of your head to create a mini ponytail,” he said. “Twist the top of the ponytail and push hair forward to create volume. Secure with bobby pins. Then gather the rest of your hair into a bun, secure with bobby pins once more and mist with a holding spray.” Voila! -- you'll have a beautiful, carefree look in just minutes.

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