First Date Makeup Tutorial: Tips for a Stunning Makeup Look

Co-authored by Janet Miranda and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: March 5, 2022 References

You can’t wait to go on your first date, but how will you do your makeup? Makeup is a great way to enhance your natural beauty and help you feel more confident. Finding the perfect look can seem daunting, especially if you’re not a makeup expert, but don’t worry! Whether you’re going out for coffee or a night on the town, we’ve got the tips and tricks you need. So, keep reading for the best tutorial on applying makeup for a first date.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Prepping Your Skin

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Wash your face before applying any products. Having a clean surface to work on will help your makeup last longer and keep your skin healthy. Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser to leave your skin feeling fresh.^{[1]
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2
Apply a generous amount of moisturizer to your face and neck. This will help keep your skin feeling fine and provide a smooth canvas for your makeup. Simply add some cream or oil to your fingertips and gently rub it into your face, making sure to avoid the eyes. Your date is sure to notice your glowy skin!^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Everyone’s skin is different, so use an amount of moisturizer that works best for you!
- If you have dry skin, use a thicker moisturizing cream or oil to lock in moisture.
- If you have oily skin, consider skipping this step altogether.
- If you have combination skin, only moisturize the driest areas.
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3
Help your makeup last with primer. This step is optional but can do wonders on your makeup look and help it last all date long. Either spritz your face with a liquid primer or squeeze a tiny amount onto your fingertips and evenly spread it across your face.^{[3]
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- There is a range of primers for every skin need! Some primers are infused with SPF, others offer color correction, and some can even add an extra glow.
- Go with what works best for your skin, as any primer type will be a great addition to your date look.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Applying Face Makeup

1
Use a brush or sponge to apply foundation. This is the base of your look, so start small and build as you need to. You don’t want your foundation looking cakey on the first date! Use circular motions and buff the foundation into your skin until you’re left with a smooth finish.^{[4]
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- If you’re going for a more natural look, try a tinted BB cream or light-weight cream foundation. These will give you some coverage, but let your natural skin shine.
- If you’re going for something more glam, try a full-coverage liquid foundation. This will cover your skin completely and give you a clean slate to work on.
2
Gently dab concealer under your eyes and on blemishes. Pick a concealer shade that’s about two shades lighter than your skin tone—this will help brighten your face. Apply under your eyes with the concealer wand, and use your fingers, brush, or sponge to blend it out.^{[5]
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- Bring some of the concealer into the corner of your eye and along your cheekbone. This will help you look wide awake for your date.
- When covering blemishes, apply the concealer to your finger first. This will keep the concealer wand clean so that you can avoid any future breakouts.
- For a more natural look, use less concealer.
- For a glam or full-coverage look, apply the concealer in an upside-down triangle under your eye and blend. This will help minimize cheek redness and dark circles.
3
Set your look with loose translucent powder. Using a fluffy makeup brush, gently brush the powder into your T-zone—forehead, nose, and chin—and wherever you put concealer. This will help keep oils at bay and your makeup looking fresh, so your date will think you’re always this flawless.^{[6]
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- Packed tinted powder is also an option. If you’re going for a natural look or don’t have foundation, this may be a great choice for you.
4
Add depth and color to your face with bronzer. Apply a small amount of product to a fluffy or contour brush, tapping the excess off. With light, circular strokes, create a number 3 going from your forehead along your cheekbone and down to your jawline.^{[7]
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- This step is completely optional! Some people love how they look wearing bronzer, while other people don’t. So, play around and see what makes you feel the most confident.
- If you’re going for a natural look, have a light hand with the bronzer, so you look simply sun-kissed.
- If you’re going for a glam look, go as bold as you’d like! Contour your cheeks, nose, and chin so you wow your date with your makeup skills.
5
Give yourself a glow with highlighter. With a sponge, fan brush, or tapered brush, apply the product to the high points of your face—tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, cupid’s bow, and down the bridge of your nose.^{[8]
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Research source} Your date’s sure to be captivated by a little bit of sparkle.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.}
- Go for a subtle glow by using less highlighter, or make a glam-packed impact by using a heavy hand.
- If you have dry skin, try a creamy highlighter.
- If you have oily skin, try a powder highlighter.
6
Brighten your face with blush. Use a fluffy brush to blend the product from the apple of your cheek to the top of your ear. But don’t be too heavy handed! Your date’s sure to make you naturally blush, so dab on just enough to give yourself a warm glow that won’t have you turning as red as a tomato.^{[10]
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Research source} Pick a blush color that works best for your skin tone with this guide:
- Fair skin: Pink and rosy warm tones
- Medium skin: Orange and peachy warm tones
- Olive skin: Red and rosy vibrant tones
- Dark skin: Red and coppery rich tones

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Creating a Stunning Eye Look

1
Pick three eyeshadow colors for your look. These colors can be whatever you wish, but we suggest sticking with earthy, muted tones on the first date if you’re going for a natural look. Choose a light, medium, and dark color to apply eyeshadow following these steps:^{[11]
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- Use an eyeshadow blender brush to apply the darkest shade to your eye crease with side-to-side motions.
- Dab the medium shade onto your eyelid. Shimmer is great for this!
- Swipe the lightest shade along your brow bone and blot it into the eye’s inner crease to brighten the look.
- Swap the muted colors for vibrant colors for a more thrilling and exciting look that’s perfect for a nighttime date.
2
Line the waterline for a natural eyeliner look or go for a classy wing. Eyeliner is a great way to make your eyes pop and show a little bit of your personality. Use a brown eyeliner pencil to line your eyes for a natural look, or go for a bold liquid eyeliner look that is sure to grab your date’s attention.^{[12]
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- Feel free to mix and match natural and glam looks! You can have natural makeup with winged liner and colored eyeshadow with subtle eyeliner.
- Liquid eyeliner can run if your eyes water. If you know your date will make you cry-laugh, opt for a pencil liner or a waterproof liquid liner.
3
Make your eyelashes pop with a few coats of mascara. There’s no doubt you’ll be batting your lashes all night with how cute your date is, so give them something to marvel at. If you're going natural, stick to one or two coats. If you’re going for a bold look, try adding some false lashes with your mascara.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.}
- Use a mascara that’s the same shade as your eyeliner for a seamlessly flawless look.
4
Frame your face by doing your brows. A little sculpting here and there can do wonders. With a spoolie, comb your eyebrows up and out. Fill in any gaps by using an eyebrow tint, eyebrow gel, or eyeshadow in the shade of your natural brow. Use light and feathery strokes to color them in.^{[14]
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- If you’re going for a natural look, stick to your natural brow shape and shade. You can even use a clear gel if coloring your brows isn’t your thing.
- If you’re going glam, be a little heavy-handed with your brows. Try using concealer and a brush to outline your brows for an angular look.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Painting Your Lips

1
Line your lips with a lip pencil or liquid lipstick for a flirty look. Your date’s bound to notice your lips, so give them something they’ll want to kiss! Use a slightly darker shade to line your lips to make them really pop.^{[15]
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- If you want a no-makeup look, stick to your natural lip shape.
- If glam is your style, be bold and over line your lips for an extra pout.
2
Smear your lips with a thin layer of lip gloss. It’s the first date, so who knows if kissing will be involved? No matter what look you’re going for, stay on the safe side and tint your lips with a non-stick gloss rather than a sticky lipstick.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.} This will help keep your lips moisturizer and kissable.^{[17]
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- If gloss isn’t your jam, no worries! Opt for a tinted moisturizer to give your lips that extra pop of color.
3
Seal your look with a setting spray and put on your best smile. A quick mist will keep you looking fresh, and a smile is sure to catch your date’s eye. Now, you’re ready for your first date, looking absolutely fabulous!

Expert Q&A

Question

Should I do bold makeup on a first date?

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.

Janet Miranda

Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

It really depends on what kind of makeup you normally wear. It's important to feel comfortable wearing your date makeup. You don't want to overdo your makeup before a date.