Day 1
A big presentation at work calls for understated sophistication. My favorite lip stain adds polish to my basics—a hint of blush and mascara—but doesn’t steal the show.
Time: 10 seconds*
Tools: Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Raspberry
* Mascara, foundation, and concealer application time not included.
Day 2
Some looks are best left to the pros. My attempt at glossy lids (so gorgeous in magazines!) smeared my mascara in seconds.
Time: 30 seconds
Tools: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Day 3
Bold brows have been a runway mainstay the past few seasons, but I can hardly find the courage to show my roommate, let alone leave the house.
Time: 4 minutes
Tools: M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil in Black
Day 4
Tired of the same-old, same-old black smoky eye? Me too. As an alternative, I swap in gold and copper metallics instead. Focusing the pigment on the eyelid and away from the brow bone keeps the look subtle.
Time: 7 minutes
Tools: Urban Decay eye shadow in Half Baked and Smog
Day 5
No foray into makeup experimentation would be complete without red lipstick. I choose an orange-based glossy shade and skip lipliner for a softer look. Surprisingly, no grocery-store stares. Are power lips less shocking than I thought?
Time: 1 minute
Tools: NYX Luscious Lip Palette in Red Rediscovered
Day 6
A beauty mirage, dewy skin is hard to achieve naturally, but, thankfully, easy to fake. I apply a cream highlighter on the top of my cheekbones, brow bone, and bridge of my nose. Voilà!
Time: 2 minutes
Tools: Nars The Multiple in Copacabana
Day 7
I love the deep purple lids makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury layered on at Victoria Beckham’s spring show, so I give it an enthusiastic try, dusting the shadow up to the brow bone. I’m hooked!
Time: 4 minutes
Tools: Lancôme Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold in Trendy
Day 8
Big blush, applied on the apples of cheeks and the temples, was a hit at shows like Christian Siriano. Inspired, I blend in a cream formula, and love the bright pop of color. White eyeliner finishes the fresh look.
Time: 45 seconds
Tools: Maybelline New York Dream Mousse Blush in Pink Frosting; CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara in Very Black
Day 9
Dark lips, a major fall trend, scare me, so I try a slightly more ladylike cabernet. Don’t forget to use a lip brush for application—bold hues require a precise line.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in Satin Blackcurrant
Day 10
I try the (surprisingly flattering!) orange lipstick trend, à la Marc by Marc Jacobs, balancing the extreme color with bare skin.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: Kanebo Sensai Lasting Treatment Rouge in Soubi
Day 11
To make the glittery disco eyes spotted at Giles more wearable, I opt for one color—turquoise—focused only on the lid. The result is glamorous, perfect for date night. Tip: Use a cream shadow as a base and apply the glitter with a damp shadow brush to help it stick to the skin.
Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Paint Pot in Constructivist, Pro Glitter in Turquoise, Pro Mixing Medium Water Base, all
by M.A.C
Day 12
A late night out leaves me with droopy, tired eyes. To brighten up, I line my lower lid with white liner and the top with navy. The uplifting effects are instant. Darker skin tones can try light beige or gold instead of white for the same results.
Time: 2 minutes
Tools: Revlon Luxurious Color Kohl Eyeliner in Pure White, Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Blue Ribbon
Day 13
Pink lipstick yields compliments galore! Perhaps my favorite look so far. If you’re blond, try paler hues, redheads look best in peachy pinks, and brunettes, like me, can play with fuchsia shades.
Time: 30 seconds
Tools: Benefit Ultra Shines Lip Shine in Wild Child
Day 14
Cat eyes convey instant retro glamour, but judging from my friends’ reactions (“Are you serious?” was the most common response), my version might work best for a masquerade party.Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Single Eyeshadow in Night Fever, Duo Eyeshadow in Pandora, Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Belle de Jour, all by Nars
Day 15
Fascinated by the vibrant makeup of Bollywood films, I try my own rainbow lids, anchoring the look with orange shadow. My girlfriends are wowed, but my guy friends don’t seem to notice—shocker.Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Yaby eye shadows in Just Orange, Total Alien, Funky Plum, and Carbon Paper
Day 16
My daily routine isn’t complete without two coats of mascara, but special occasions like a friend’s birthday call for fake lashes. I apply a dramatic pair along the upper lid and a natural-looking pair along the lower (I cut them to fit) for instant doll eyes.Time: 15 minutes
Tools: Ardell Fashion Lashes in Black and Lower Black
Day 17
From Nina Ricci to Alexander Wang, red eye shadow has experienced a surprising burst in popularity. Avoid looking like you have allergies by going heavy on black eyeliner and mascara.Time: 12 minutes
Tools: M.A.C eye shadow in Coppering and Cranberry; Milani Eye Tech Liquid Liner
Day 18
Bright eyeliner is a stroke of genius: minimum effort with maximum impact. The green shade (applied with a liner brush) gets major attention at a party. Tip: For easy application, tilt your head back slightly while drawing the line.Time: 1 minute
Tools: Borghese Polychromatic Shadow in Sensual Sage
Day 19
A last-minute dinner invite leaves no time to run home and freshen up. Luckily, mega eyeliner smudged out for a sultry nighttime vibe transforms my face in seconds—and earns more bad pickup lines than just my usual mascara. To avoid raccoon eyes later, I run a Q-tip over the inner lash lines to absorb excess moisture.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Kohl Eyeliner in Black Kohl
Day 20
A version of hard-to-wear two-tone lips: Try a highlighting gloss in the center of your favorite lip color.
Time: 3 minutes
Tools: e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss in Vixen and Honey
Day 21
I attempt to re-create the blue smoky eye that makeup artist Tom Pecheux created at fall’s Derek Lam show. One word: obsessed.
Time: 8 minutes
Tools: Estée Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Nocturnal Blue
Via Elle.com
A big presentation at work calls for understated sophistication. My favorite lip stain adds polish to my basics—a hint of blush and mascara—but doesn’t steal the show.
Time: 10 seconds*
Tools: Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Raspberry
* Mascara, foundation, and concealer application time not included.
Day 2
Some looks are best left to the pros. My attempt at glossy lids (so gorgeous in magazines!) smeared my mascara in seconds.
Time: 30 seconds
Tools: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Day 3
Bold brows have been a runway mainstay the past few seasons, but I can hardly find the courage to show my roommate, let alone leave the house.
Time: 4 minutes
Tools: M.A.C Impeccable Brow Pencil in Black
Day 4
Tired of the same-old, same-old black smoky eye? Me too. As an alternative, I swap in gold and copper metallics instead. Focusing the pigment on the eyelid and away from the brow bone keeps the look subtle.
Time: 7 minutes
Tools: Urban Decay eye shadow in Half Baked and Smog
Day 5
No foray into makeup experimentation would be complete without red lipstick. I choose an orange-based glossy shade and skip lipliner for a softer look. Surprisingly, no grocery-store stares. Are power lips less shocking than I thought?
Time: 1 minute
Tools: NYX Luscious Lip Palette in Red Rediscovered
Day 6
A beauty mirage, dewy skin is hard to achieve naturally, but, thankfully, easy to fake. I apply a cream highlighter on the top of my cheekbones, brow bone, and bridge of my nose. Voilà!
Time: 2 minutes
Tools: Nars The Multiple in Copacabana
Day 7
I love the deep purple lids makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury layered on at Victoria Beckham’s spring show, so I give it an enthusiastic try, dusting the shadow up to the brow bone. I’m hooked!
Time: 4 minutes
Tools: Lancôme Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold in Trendy
Day 8
Big blush, applied on the apples of cheeks and the temples, was a hit at shows like Christian Siriano. Inspired, I blend in a cream formula, and love the bright pop of color. White eyeliner finishes the fresh look.
Time: 45 seconds
Tools: Maybelline New York Dream Mousse Blush in Pink Frosting; CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara in Very Black
Day 9
Dark lips, a major fall trend, scare me, so I try a slightly more ladylike cabernet. Don’t forget to use a lip brush for application—bold hues require a precise line.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in Satin Blackcurrant
Day 10
I try the (surprisingly flattering!) orange lipstick trend, à la Marc by Marc Jacobs, balancing the extreme color with bare skin.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: Kanebo Sensai Lasting Treatment Rouge in Soubi
Day 11
To make the glittery disco eyes spotted at Giles more wearable, I opt for one color—turquoise—focused only on the lid. The result is glamorous, perfect for date night. Tip: Use a cream shadow as a base and apply the glitter with a damp shadow brush to help it stick to the skin.
Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Paint Pot in Constructivist, Pro Glitter in Turquoise, Pro Mixing Medium Water Base, all
by M.A.C
Day 12
A late night out leaves me with droopy, tired eyes. To brighten up, I line my lower lid with white liner and the top with navy. The uplifting effects are instant. Darker skin tones can try light beige or gold instead of white for the same results.
Time: 2 minutes
Tools: Revlon Luxurious Color Kohl Eyeliner in Pure White, Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Blue Ribbon
Day 13
Pink lipstick yields compliments galore! Perhaps my favorite look so far. If you’re blond, try paler hues, redheads look best in peachy pinks, and brunettes, like me, can play with fuchsia shades.
Time: 30 seconds
Tools: Benefit Ultra Shines Lip Shine in Wild Child
Day 14
Cat eyes convey instant retro glamour, but judging from my friends’ reactions (“Are you serious?” was the most common response), my version might work best for a masquerade party.Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Single Eyeshadow in Night Fever, Duo Eyeshadow in Pandora, Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Belle de Jour, all by Nars
Day 15
Fascinated by the vibrant makeup of Bollywood films, I try my own rainbow lids, anchoring the look with orange shadow. My girlfriends are wowed, but my guy friends don’t seem to notice—shocker.Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Yaby eye shadows in Just Orange, Total Alien, Funky Plum, and Carbon Paper
Day 16
My daily routine isn’t complete without two coats of mascara, but special occasions like a friend’s birthday call for fake lashes. I apply a dramatic pair along the upper lid and a natural-looking pair along the lower (I cut them to fit) for instant doll eyes.Time: 15 minutes
Tools: Ardell Fashion Lashes in Black and Lower Black
Day 17
From Nina Ricci to Alexander Wang, red eye shadow has experienced a surprising burst in popularity. Avoid looking like you have allergies by going heavy on black eyeliner and mascara.Time: 12 minutes
Tools: M.A.C eye shadow in Coppering and Cranberry; Milani Eye Tech Liquid Liner
Day 18
Bright eyeliner is a stroke of genius: minimum effort with maximum impact. The green shade (applied with a liner brush) gets major attention at a party. Tip: For easy application, tilt your head back slightly while drawing the line.Time: 1 minute
Tools: Borghese Polychromatic Shadow in Sensual Sage
Day 19
A last-minute dinner invite leaves no time to run home and freshen up. Luckily, mega eyeliner smudged out for a sultry nighttime vibe transforms my face in seconds—and earns more bad pickup lines than just my usual mascara. To avoid raccoon eyes later, I run a Q-tip over the inner lash lines to absorb excess moisture.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Kohl Eyeliner in Black Kohl
Day 20
A version of hard-to-wear two-tone lips: Try a highlighting gloss in the center of your favorite lip color.
Time: 3 minutes
Tools: e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss in Vixen and Honey
Day 21
I attempt to re-create the blue smoky eye that makeup artist Tom Pecheux created at fall’s Derek Lam show. One word: obsessed.
Time: 8 minutes
Tools: Estée Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Nocturnal Blue
Via Elle.com
