IMO, The Best Date-Night Makeup Whispers Sizzling Romance—10 Looks I'm Itching to Copy
From Selena Gomez's ruby lips to Olandria Carthen's blushing cheeks, these are the elegant looks worth trying before your next rendezvous.
There’s no denying the excitement that comes with a nice date. With one text confirming a late-night dinner reservation or a serendipitous first meeting that ends in scheduled drinks the following week, a flurry of preparation steps ensues. Though there’s no rulebook on how to show up for a date (nor should there be), it’s normal to seek inspiration for your style choices before heading out the door. Case in point: the innumerable texts my friends and I have sent one another before meeting up with prospective partners to get feedback on our first-date outfits, hair, and makeup.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been preemptively saving date-night makeup looks that range from sweet and flushed to goddess-level glowy and downright sexy. Whether you’re meeting at a dimly lit martini bar or taking a sunset stroll, I’ve found celebrity-approved makeup looks that will suit any situation and help you put your best foot forward. (Just remember: it’s not about the makeup, but the confidence it gives you to feel like yourself.) Below, 10 date-night-ready looks to save before your next rendezvous.
Date-Night Makeup Ideas to Try in 2026
Old Hollywood Glam
If you ask me, old Hollywood glamour will never go out of style—especially not on date night. Selena Gomez's chic look from the 2026 Golden Globes, crafted by celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo, is marked by dark ruby lips and classic eyes, detailed by the smallest, sharpest wing I ever did see. A healthy dose of pink blush flushes her cheeks and pulls in the neutral warmth of her eye shadow, making this an instantly screenshot-worthy look. Though the Valentine's Day-ready red lipstick from Vanngo's homonymous beauty brand is out of stock, you can shop a similar shade below (plus some of the exact products he used).
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Clean Girl Glow
Nothing screams "natural beauty" like glowy, healthy-looking skin. Model and beauty brand founder Jasmine Tookes' ultra-dewy makeup look is a masterclass in effortless date-night makeup, with her eyes and lips kept nearly bare—just a wash of plum color giving them definition—to spotlight the skin. Her glowy complexion looks nearly candlelit, and I can't wait to test this look under the flame-flickering light of a swanky New York City restaurant.
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Subtle Flick
These shots of Kaia Gerber's clean, classic look by celebrity makeup artist Nina Park are the kinds that I reference almost daily for my own makeup looks. With a nearly bare lid, an inky, short wing, and a famous Nina Park pout with softly feathered ends, this softly romantic look deserves a spot in the date-night makeup look hall of fame. When in doubt, sketch a baby wing—it goes with almost any plan, outfit, and hairstyle, and will be a sure confidence-booster every time.
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Natural Glam
There is no one doing natural glam like model Lori Harvey. The model and actress accentuates her natural beauty with neutral brown hues—never skewing too warm nor cool—to give her eyes and lips a bit of definition while adding a peachy pop of color to the apples of her cheeks. Instead of a heavy liner, make like Harvey and accentuate your orbs with a pop of shimmery champagne eye shadow on the inner corners. (Just don't forget to pack on the volumizing mascara and baby pink lip gloss before heading out the door.)
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Bubblegum Blush
If anyone has the right to teach us about date-night makeup, it's Love Island USA's own Olandria Carthen—so why not take a page out of her book and amp up the bubblegum pink blush ahead of Valentine's Day? The breakout star's famously flushed cheeks became a staple of hers (and dedicated fans alike) both on and off the reality dating show, and I can't think of a better time to lean into pops of pink than before a cute date.
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Y2K Angel
So many swoon-worthy Gerber beauty shots saved to my phone, not enough time to rave about them all. But if I had to pick another to recreate for date night, this subtly smoky liner and nude-pink lip would be a no-brainer. There's something about the combination of her tight-lined waterline, seductively smudged (and slightly sparkly!) liner, and frosted lipstick that feels oh-so-aughts Victoria's Secret Angel. If Y2K beauty is your bread and butter, consider using this glam shot as a reference before your next late-night outing.
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Cool-Toned Lip
Cool-toned makeup defined 2025, and these icy hues aren't going anywhere in 2026. If you're quite set in your normal makeup routine, it's sometimes fun to switch up one feature instead of doing an entirely new look before a date. One of the easiest to experiment with is your lip combo (really, don't deny the power of a new lipstick and liner), and Tookes' edgy, yet elevated cool-toned lip is the perfect one to recreate this year.
To achieve her look, try overlining the cupid's bow (we have a whole tutorial on that) and blending the liner towards the center of your lips for a diffused look. Top with a touch of medium-pink lipstick, and you're done.
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Seductive Smoke
Just like with Tookes' lips, it's sometimes best to let one feature do the talking—and with this grungy-chic look by Vanngo on actress Rose Byrne, it's clear that this one is all about the eyes. This look flirts with the idea of a smoky eye by blending black eyeliner, plus a smattering of black and gray shadows atop one another in the shape of feathered eyeliner to create a feline effect. The result is a look that feels seductive without going fully smoky. If you're planning makeup for a swanky jazz bar, a night of dancing, or a glitzy party with someone who gives you butterflies, there's no better time to pull out a chic eye and lip combo than now.
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Feathered Lashes
For something classically romantic, try a look that keeps things natural and fresh—like this feathered lash look from Vanngo on model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Her eyes, amped by lush, full lashes and a subtle blend of brown eyeliner above the lashline, offer the most intensity, while her lips and cheeks are painted in simple, dewy pink. Whether you're headed on a dinner date or are meeting for a late movie, this simple look is a winner every time.
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Peachy Keen
While it's true that cool-toned makeup is all the rage right now, the return of warm-hued eye shadows and pouts is imminent. Some may call it the return of a 2016 makeup trend, but this modern-day iteration gives the trend a bronzy, fresh facelift. If you're missing the warmth of Anastasia Beverly Hills' once-viral Modern Renaissance palette or feel that warm-toned looks fit your skin tone better than cool, this peachy look is for you. Simply blend a bit of apricot eye shadow under your lower lashline and reach for an orange-nude lip liner to recreate this effortless look.
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