...Or, Makeup So He'll Check Out My Face and Not My Boobs


You've been out on the beach all day catching up on your tan and trying to snag the attention of the hottie on the next blanket while you're at it. So now, after lots of (not so hard) work, you've not only got yourself a lovely tan, but also a hot date tomorrow with the boy. How should you do your makeup for the big event? Here are some suggestions for date makeup that will take you from day to night.

Day: Try a bronze eye. Bronze is a great eyeshadow colour to play up the warm bronze tones of your skin while avoiding the garishness that can come with gold eyeshadow. It's a versatile colour that can work with all skin tones.

Try bronze eyeshadows with a red undertone to them if your skin is warm. Try dirty yellow based bronzes if you're cool, or try a neutral like MAC's Rose Gold pigment. Smoke it out slightly by concentrating more on the lash line and blending outwards towards your crease for a sexy look he'll fall head over heels for.



Night: ... then try it with some turquoise. Inspired by fantasies of sunning in Greece, why not add a blue green accent (or any other contrasting colour) to your bronze eye? It can be either on the waterline like I've done here with Cargo's Aegean eyeshadow or at the inner corners of your eyes for those more daring.

It's a fantastic way to add colour and draw attention to your gorgeous peepers without looking like you got a little too enthusiastic about your Crayola box.



Day: Try a bronzer-blush. It sculpts your cheeks slightly while giving you a hint of healthy colour. Compliment that tan by using a bronzer on your cheeks with a hint of rose or pink. And don't stop there; sweep it lightly over your eyeshadow, collarbone and shoulders.

If you're cheeky, dust some between your boobs for added sexiness. Try Benefit's Dallas blush or NARS Lovejoy like I'm wearing.


Night:... then try it with a liquid highlighter. To create the ultimate summer glow, use a peachy pink highlighter. Apply it to the tops of your cheekbones, the browbones and other high points on your face. Not only does a highlight draw attention to your beautiful skin, it also helps to further sculpt your face. Give yourself an instant breastlift by adding a bit on the tops of your breasts. I love Benefit's Hollywood Glo.


Day: Let your eyes and face take center stage and go neutral on your lips with a bronzy pink lipstick. It keeps them soft and understated while it helps to bring together your whole look. My favourite is MAC's Viva Glam V lipstick.


Night:... then try it with a light bronze lip gloss on top. Adding a light layer of gloss makes them look lusciously full and juicy. Just don't overdo it or you'll be more likely to snare bugs in your gloss than a hot boy on your lips. Try MAC's Goldensoft lip gelee  or L'Oreal's A-List Peach lip gloss.

Put it all together and you've got two complete summer looks. One daytime bronzy look for a nice date where he'll take you to the Fair and (try to) win you a prize, and one nighttime bronzy look for a hot date in the club where you'll teach him some Salsa.

Bronze is simply a great colour to incorporate into your makeup arsenal to play up your summer tan, and it's versatile enough to work for just about everyone. And since there are so many different shades of bronze, you're bound to find one that compliments your skin tone and give you that added glow... something I'm sure your hot date will appreciate!

What are your favourite makeup tricks to play up your summer tan?

by Anna Truong