Building Your Kit Part 23: The Essentials for Date Night

Makeup for date night should be a little more special than what you wear everyday. Something that feels sexy and romantic and keeps all the attention on you—created with products that can withstand a little wear and tear (you know what I mean!). Here are some of my kit favorites for the professional who may be making someone up for a special night, or the makeup wearer who wants to look as if she was glammed up by a pro.

1: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater | $7

What better way to get ready for a date than with the romantic and healing power of the rose? This invigorating mist is perfect applied under moisturizer to help freshen and lift the skin, while evening out tone. You can also use it after you’ve finished applying makeup to set everything in place, and then also as a spritz throughout the date to keep your face looking flawless.

2: Bliss Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream | $55

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Formulated with a trio of oxygenating ingredients and an advanced form of vitamin C, this lightweight moisturizer will revive fatigued, sallow, or stressed skin and give it a sexy sheen without oiliness. Add a little to your neck and shoulders, too—you’ll get a hydrated, decadent-feeling finish that feels effortless at the same time.

3: Stila Convertible Color | $25

One of my favorite lip and cheek colors, it gives a glow that looks like it’s flushing from beneath the skin instead of sitting on top. Try a peach or orange shade at the top of the cheekbone and a brighter pink or red at the apple of the cheek for a sexy flushed look.

4: Rimmel Glam’Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara | $7

This deep and dark drugstore mascara promises full and flirty lashes, and it definitely delivers. Keep the wand close to the root of the lashes as you apply to add definition, and then be sure to bring it right up through the tips. For a bolder, eye-catching bombshell look, build it up at the outer corners.

5: Jurlique Love Balm | $8

Love Balm is a favorite secret salve among pro makeup artists, who use it to hydrate, soften, and protect dry or chapped lips, elbows, and cuticles and add subtle, soft highlights to the highest points of the face. It’s perfect for keeping hands and skin soft and touchable, as well as drawing attention to the cheekbones, shoulder blades, or anywhere you want light to catch.

6: L’Orèal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss | $9.99

Lip gloss is traditionally tough to keep in place—on a date and really any situation. With this gorgeous gloss, the formula clings to the lips and lasts as long as matte lip products without ever feeling tight or sticky.

Read every installment in James Vincent’s Building Your Kit series here! Prices approximate.

As Director of Artistry for The Makeup Show, The Powder Group and On Makeup Magazine, makeup artist James Vincent has touched every facet of the industry with his talent. With specialties in film and theatre, television and celebrity work, editorial and runway work, James is foremast a passionate educator, training for brands such as MAC, Stila, CNN and Lancome. He continues to inspire the next wave of artists with his beauty expertise. Follow James on Twitter @JVincentmakeup.