e.l.f. Discovery

Achieve the Perfect Date Night Makeup Look

By Emma Trevino

Picture this: summer’s almost over and you’ve spent the bulk of it vacationing with your friends, lounging at the beach, and working on your tan (with SPF on, of course). But now, as the summer comes to a close, you’ve found yourself swiping on Tinder and you’ve decided to meet for a date! Because we don’t want you stressing about yet another thing before a first date (let’s face it—first dates can be nerve-wracking), we’re running you through a step-by-step tutorial for date night makeup that brings the glam and lasts all night.

First date makeup is all about keeping it simple and glowy, with a dash of mystery thrown into the mix. Think clean, smooth skin, flirty blush, a little smokey cat eye with a few swipes of mascara, a statement lipstick and dewy highlighter... all the essentials for nailing soft and romantic glam without overdoing it.

Whether you’re going for an evening makeup look because you’ve planned to meet for a sunset picnic or you’ve decided upon night out makeup because maybe you’ve only swiped right for a nice candlelit dinner out (no judgment!), we’ve got the perfect easy date night makeup look regardless of whether you want a second one or not.

Your Step-by-Step Makeup Tutorial

Step One: Prepping Your Skin

First things first, skin must be prepped! If you want your makeup to last through dinner, drinks, and a nightcap if things are going well, your skin needs a clean, moisturized canvas to help keep makeup in place without creasing, caking, or melting throughout the evening. Start by gently cleansing skin with the Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser, then follow up with a moisture-locking toner that won’t strip your barrier or cause any irritation. Holy Hydration! Keep Your Balance Toner is a great option to gently brighten and balance while flooding skin with essential hydration. Next, go in with a lightweight moisturizer like Holy Hydration! Face Cream to keep your skin hydrated throughout the evening. If your skin tends to run on the oily side, opt for a gel-based moisturizer like Holy Hydration! Gel Yeah Moisturizer, which helps to plump and balance with a fast-absorbing and non-greasy feel.

Step Two: Face Primer and Liquid Foundation

Once your skin is clean, prepped and hydrated, it’s time to start your date night makeup glam. For night out makeup, a hydrating face primer is crucial for locking in your look. Thanks to its gel formula, the Stay Cool Primer Stick is your go-to for keeping makeup in place while delivering a long-lasting, naturally dewy finish that wears well under the rest of your makeup look. Apply a thin layer onto prepped skin and let it absorb completely before going in with your liquid foundation.

Soft Glam Satin Foundation is the perfect liquid foundation for achieving a flawless and glowy base. Soft Glam Satin Foundation is a long-lasting and ultra hydrating liquid foundation that delivers medium-buildable coverage with a second-skin finish. For those who don’t love wearing foundation or who like a softer, more subtle makeup look, this one’s for you; the breathable formula doesn’t look or feel cakey and is infused with a blend of hydrating ingredients to keep skin moisturized all evening.

Step Three: Hydrating Concealer and Setting Powder

If you’ve woken up with a blemish or dark under-eye circles on the day of your date—fear not! Now’s the time to go in with Hydrating Camo Concealer to cover and brighten any areas that may need some extra attention. This long-lasting liquid concealer is ideal for date night as it provides full-coverage but has a hydrating, satiny finish that won’t crease or cake. It’s lightweight and blendable so that any blemishes or under-eye circles will stay out of sight through date night.

Once you’ve covered with Camo, set your skin with a powder that also brings the glow. Whether your date is happening at a way-too-bright bowling alley or a dreamy candlelit dinner, Halo Glow Setting Powder is your go-to for smoothing and blurring skin while delivering a soft glow without the shine. Using your favorite brush, lightly dust Halo Glow all over skin for a softly diffused finish that looks like an IG filter for your face.

Step Four: Soft And Romantic Eye Makeup

Here’s where your date night makeup vibe can really get creative. But for a first date, soft and romantic palettes that keep it subtle and sheer is usually the way to go. Like everything else you’re applying tonight, a long-lasting eye look is a must! Start by applying a thin layer of Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer along your lids. This sheer and creamy formula acts as the perfect base and helps to enhance and keep your eyeshadow in place while preventing creasing or smudging throughout the night. Next, go for the Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palette in Cream & Sugar or Rose Water to play up natural tones with a touch of flirty shimmer. Finish your eyes off with a soft application of liquid eyeliner, then a few swipes of Lash Extending Mascara for bold, lifted and voluminous lashes.

Step Five: Liquid Blush and Contour Beauty Wand

Tomato Girl Summer, Strawberry Girl Summer, whatever makeup look defined your summer was most likely made possible by a natural flush of blushy color, and that’s exactly what we’re going for with first date makeup. Though Camo Liquid Blush is ultra pigmented, its blendable and buildable formula lets you create your desired amount of color and delivers a soft, dewy finish. Long-lasting yet lightweight, blend it into the apples of your cheeks, across the bridge of your nose, and even along the top of your forehead for the perfect pop of healthy color.

Follow it up with Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand if you want to amp up the date night glam. This easy-to-use contour cushion wand delivers a radiant, naturally sculpted complexion that blends effortlessly and leaves *just a glint* of subtle radiance. Apply and blend into the hollows of cheeks, jawline, temples, hairline, and sides of nose for a more defined look.

Step Six: Lipstick and Lip Gloss

The finishing touch, the grand finale...and maybe the secret to a second date? A statement lipstick. And we don’t call our lipstick O FACE for nothing ;). This satin finish lipstick delivers rich color that lasts all night. Formulated with nourishing marula oil, squalane, and jojoba esters, O FACE Satin Lipstick keeps lips hydrated and comfortable without creasing. Apply a thin layer (it is highly pigmented, after all) of the shade No Regrets onto lips for a pop of vibrant red color. Build more if you really want to bring the drama.

Top your lip look off with Lip Plumping Gloss, our high-shine, non-sticky plumping lip gloss with a cooling tingle. Because your lipstick is already stealing the show, apply a softer shade like Pink Sugar, a clear gloss shade with subtle pink and gold shimmer, to add the right amount of shine while letting your lipstick really make the statement.

Expert Tips for Long-Lasting Makeup

We know you don’t want any make-up mess-ups while you’re getting ready for your date, so look to these products to ensure your glam lasts and any touch-ups throughout the night are just a quick grab from-your-bag away. Once you’ve finished your date night makeup, make sure your look is set with a fine, non-cakey powder. Halo Glow Loose Setting Powder has the most weightless glow on the skin and helps to blur and set makeup without settling into fine lines or creases. Grab it in a travel size and pop it in your purse before the big night.

Next, go in with Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray, the obvious and essential must for locking your finished makeup look in place all night. This Bi-phase makeup setting spray features a makeup-gripping water phase and a moisturizing oil phase to keep makeup locked in while delivering a light, dewy finish. Spray a thin amount onto skin once your look is done, and spritz throughout the night to give your makeup a quick refresh.

A Makeup Look for Every Date

So, where are you heading for date night? Afternoon mini golf, an intimate dinner date, or just a fun night out? Don’t worry—we’ve got a look for every first date occasion.

Casual Daytime Dates

Because you’ll most likely be outside in natural light, a lightweight, dewy, and natural makeup look is the way to go for a casual daytime hang. We recommend mixing a moisturizer like Holy Hydration! Face Cream with our Bronzing Drops to achieve a back-from-vacation glow while keeping skin nourished, moisturized, and protected with SPF 30. Or, if you’re looking for slightly more coverage but you don’t want to wear foundation, grab Camo Hydrating CC Cream to get long-lasting coverage with a dewy finish.

Spot cover with Hydrating Camo Concealer, dot apples of cheeks with Primer-Infused Matte Blush to get a soft, natural flush of color, then feather brows with Brow Lift for natural, fluffy brows. Add some dewy highlight to cheekbones, bridge of nose, and brow bones with Daily Dew Stick to get that glowing, lit-from-within sheen.

Our tip? Skip the mascara to keep your look low-key and easy. Set your makeup with Power Grip Dewing Setting Spray, especially if you’ll be outside.

Elegant Dinner Dates

Intimate dinner dates call for glowy, classic makeup looks that can last through the whole conversation. It also means playing up eyes, lips, and really the whole face, so you’ve come to the right place here ;). Beginning with clean, prepped skin, use a damp blender sponge to blend your liquid foundation into the skin. Damp sponges help the product to spread more evenly across your skin, giving it a clean, skin-like finish. After you’ve concealed any blemishes, dark spots, or under-eyes, play up eyes with No Budge Cream Eyeshadow in Canyon or Sand Dune to add some depth and drama to lids. Next, create lengthened, voluminous lashes with our bestselling Lash XTNDR Mascara Don’t forget to dust a soft blush onto cheeks and our lip oil to imbue lips with a sheer kiss of color.

Fun and Flirty Night Out

Like an elegant dinner date look, but turned way up. If you’re headed out for a whirlwind night, let your makeup match it. Focus on blush, a bright red lip, big lashes, a smokey cat eye, and you’ll be ready to fall in love. After prepping skin, applying foundation, and concealing, go in with long-lasting and highly-pigmented Camo Liquid Blush in your desired shade to really make cheeks pop. A little goes a long way here, but since a flirty blushy look is what you’re going for, apply a few dots onto cheeks and blend outward. Contour with Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand for an even more sculpted and defined look. For eyes, The New Classics Eyeshadow Palette will help you nail a smokey eye look or create a chic and subtle neutral-toned eye. Create more flair with a winged eyeliner tip using Precision Liquid Eyeliner, finish off with O FACE Satin Lipstick in a hue like Own It or Loud AF, And they’re sure to fall in love with you tonight.

FAQs on Date Night Makeup


Q: What makeup should I wear on a date?
A: For a date night look, keep your makeup simple yet glowing. Start with a light, dewy foundation to even out your skin tone. Apply a neutral eyeshadow palette, focusing on the lids and crease. Add a few coats of volumizing mascara to make your eyes pop. Fill in your brows to frame your face. Finish with a soft, rosy blush on the apples of your cheeks and a moisturizing, neutral-toned lip color. The key is to enhance your natural features without going overboard. This effortless, radiant look will have you feeling confident and ready to impress on your date. Remember, less is more when it comes to date night makeup. The goal is to look and feel your beautiful best!

Q: Which makeup is best for night?
A: Ooh, e.l.f.ing date night, huh? We've got you covered! Here are some of our top e.l.f. picks for a flawless date night look:

  • e.l.f. Hydrating Camo CC Cream - This buildable, medium-coverage formula gives you a natural, radiant glow.

  • e.l.f. Duochrome Liquid Eyeshadow - Swipe on these super-pigmented, long-lasting shadows for an instant eye-catching look.

  • e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil - Fill in and define your brows for a polished, put-together vibe.

  • e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick - This hydrating, glossy lipstick comes in a beautiful black cherry shade.

  • e.l.f. Primer-Infused Blush - Blend on this silky blush for a natural flush that lasts all night.

Just play with these e.l.f. essentials and you'll be date-night ready in no time!

Q: How do I prepare my skin for a date night?
A: Here are some tips to prepare your skin for a date night:

  • Cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove any dirt, oil, or impurities. Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser to avoid stripping your skin.

  • Exfoliate 1-2 times per week to slough off dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. Be gentle and avoid over-exfoliating.

  • Hydrate your skin with a nourishing moisturizer. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth your skin.

  • Use a face mask 1-2 times per week to deeply cleanse pores and address any skin concerns like dullness or blemishes.

  • Finish with a radiant face primer to create a smooth, even canvas for your makeup. This will help your date night look last all night.

The key is to focus on healthy, glowing skin - not just covering it up with makeup. With the right prep, you'll feel confident and beautiful on your date!

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