2023 brings lots of new makeup trends and ideas, but I think the most commonly searched makeup tutorial is a simple work-to-night-out makeup look. If you’re like the few of us that need to be in the office to work (as opposed to working remotely), you’re probably thinking about a simple but natural-looking makeup look that is quick and easy to do. No one wants to wake up an hour earlier than they have to, to get ready. I will share with you the perfect makeup routine that will take you from work to an amazing night out. This blog post is in collaboration with Ekta Sharma, an Indian-based makeup artist, and Social Media Influencer.
Work to Night-Out Makeup: Long-lasting is key!
Whatever you decide to do as your office makeup routine, make sure that you’re using products that will last you all day. You don’t want to use the time to reapply your base or redo your face. The first product to layer onto your face (after all of your skincare and SPF) is primer. Ekta, an India-based makeup artist, created her office look first by using MAC Strobcream in Pinklite as her primer. You can use a primer of your choice, but it’s vital to do so! Not only will it help your base stick to your skin, but it’ll also minimize the look of pores and help create a smooth canvas for your base. Instead of the Mac Strobecream, try mixing a bit of the L’Oreal True Match Glotion into your foundation for a dewy, glowy finish.
Color Correct!
You should always color-correct your skin before applying foundation or your base! To negate any redness use a green color-correcting concealer. I use an orange base concealer to hide the pigmentation I have on my skin. Ekta has used the Derma Color Corrector, but you can also use the NYX Color Correcting Palette.
This step isn’t necessary for your makeup routine but if it’s something you like doing, for a more full coverage and glam look, then go for it! For the days I want to keep it simple and quick, I skip this step (if I’m not going out later that night). Skipping this step and then trying to do a heavy-eye look is not going to look sleek, so it’s something to think about.
Foundation or Concealer?
For any work-to-night-out makeup look, a good long-lasting base is key! Depending on your preference, you can use a tinted moisturizer, or a foundation and concealer. Depending on the day, I’ll grab the L’Oreal True Match, Full Coverage Concealer in Amber and use that to “hide” any imperfections. Note, if you have used color-correcting makeup, don’t glide and swipe your base over it. Instead, stipple it lightly over those areas so you don’t move your concealer. This L’Oreal concealer is full coverage and I don’t use any base with it. But if I’m in the mood for a full glam look, I’ll use Fenty by Rihanna and stipple it onto my face. Ekta has used the Kay Beauty Base for her look, but any foundation of your choice and coverage will do just as well.
Set and Contour!
No matter what your routine is, it’s always important to set your makeup! Use any loose translucent powder and set your base, locking it into place. Doing this will prevent your foundation from moving and looking cakey. Our favorite is the Maybelline Setting Powder but there are a billion and one out there, so use what you love!
To contour, if that’s something you enjoy doing, use a bronzer that suits your skin tone. The Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer is our favorite! Easy to blend, hard to mess up with, a foolproof bronzer that looks amazing on everyone! If you want a chiseled look, you can use concealer to highlight and define your face.
Check out this page for detailed contour tricks for your specific face shape!
Tip: If I don’t have time for my eyes, I just stick to brushing whatever is left of my bronzer, onto my eyelids to warm them up. Pop on mascara and you’re good to go! Use kajal eyeliner or eyeshadow and go from work to night-out makeup in minutes.
Blush is always a personal choice (when it comes to color) but if you want it to last all day, try using a liquid blush that you can set with powder. Using a tint, like Benetint will not only save you time, it’s a multipurpose product that you can use on your cheeks and lips! Tarte has some of the most long-lasting blushes, so be sure to check out their Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes!
Highlighter is my favorite thing to use and at times I get away with just using a highlighter, concealer, blush, and some bronzer. I recommend using something neutral or skin-toned as a highlighter for the day. I know there are some crazy colors out there, so carry it with you and apply another one at night.
Or
I carry a small shimmery eyeshadow and use that to dab on the bridge of my nose, under the brow bone, and the high points of my cheeks.
Work to Night-out Makeup Look: Set it and Forget it!
This is where I would set my makeup using my favorite setting spray by NYX. I use setting spray before my mascara because I hate having to clean up the smudges left behind by wet, sticky mascara.
Groom your brows and apply mascara at this stage, unless you want to add in a bit of eyeliner. To make my eyes pop, I use a skin tone eyeliner to tight line or you can use a darker one to tight line your upper eyelid before applying mascara. This makes your lashes look fuller without having to use eyeliner on your lids (plus that takes time and we want to run out to work!).
For brows: if they need to be filled in, I use the NYX Micro Brow Pencil which is my favorite pencil, even on the go. I carry it with me in case my skin gets oily and my brows look patchy. Set this with a clear gel or, use mascara! This is the perfect time to use those mascara samples that you get in an Ipsy bag or from Sephora!
This is where I’d end my makeup routine for work. Everyone has their own preferences, so do what you feel is right for you! If I have more time, I’ll opt to use a foundation as my base, but for those days when I can barely get ready on time, I swap the foundation for my trusty concealer and call it a day! But you can take both of those looks and change them into an evening-out makeup look!
Work to Night-Out Makeup Look: Night Out!
I don’t really have a night-out makeup look routine, but I have a few additions I make to my office look that are simple and easy to follow.
Eyes
If you carry eyeshadow with you, stick to something natural with a pop of glitter. Ekta has used a pink-based look with shimmer shadow for her look, but you can use whatever you want. I’d stick to using a brown, bronze look because if you remember, just to give my eyes a bit of color, I brushed the remaining bronzer from my brush over my eyes to warm them up in my makeup routine for work.
Start with a neutral matte color and swipe it all over your lid. Make sure you blend it out so that it applies evenly and doesn’t look patchy. If you have a lighter color, within the same color family with a bit of shimmer, apply this to the center of your lid and lightly blend it out. Both colors should blend into each other. Next, use eyeshadow to create a wing, as Ekta is showing in the video. If you’re using a brown/bronze-based color palette, use the darkest color, and blend it along your lash line for a natural eyeliner look.
Remember to use those colors to blend underneath the lower lid as well to create intensity! If you have black eyeliner, this would be the perfect way to tie it all together! Line your lower lid and if you can, the upper lid (tight line), and then apply mascara.
Lips
My daily makeup routine usually involves using a neutral lip liner and matte lipstick (Mac Mehr is our favorite). But to turn that into a night-out look, I stick to the same lipliner and go for something a bit darker, like Verve by Mac. If you want to play it up, top it off with an iridescent lip gloss like Fenty’s Gloss Bomb in Ice.
At the end of the day…
What makeup routine you choose to follow is up to you. What I’ve shared is the work-to-night-out makeup routine that works for me. You can change up the colors, the products, and even the method! I’ve been doing this type of makeup for years now and I’ve learned what works for me and what doesn’t.
The most important thing to remember is to make sure that you always prep your face and do your full skincare routine before applying any sort of makeup. At the end of the day, don’t use the makeup wipes alone to remove your makeup. Follow your complete routine: cleaners, toners, moisturizers. Makeup will look good, provided you have a good base. For a good base, you need to take care of your skin!
I hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks and I hope you enjoyed Ekta’s video! Follow her on Instagram and Subscribe to her YouTube channel for more!
The links I’ve shared with you are not affiliate links, but the ones I found to help you purchase any of the products I’ve mentioned here. 🙂
