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    1. Beauty
    2. Makeup

    My Sexiest Valentine’s Day Makeup Is Ready In Under Five Minutes

    A face your date won't forget.

    Hannah Baxter's avatar
    By Hannah Baxter
    Published 2 February 2026 In Features

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    • A Minimalist Dewy Base
    • Double the Blush, Double the Fun
    • Pink Shadow Saveur
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    • Just-Bitten Lips
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    I know that people tend to have some pretty strong feelings about Valentine’s Day, but I’m firmly in the fan camp, mainly because any reason to get a little sassy, a little glam, and a whole lotta sexy is more than fine by me. Whether you’re in a relationship, situationship, or rocking that single as a Pringle life, I encourage you to embrace the day and channel your inner fox. Let her shine, babes! She’s earned it after an absolutely bonkers January. It’s why I’m sharing my favorite sexy Valentine’s Day makeup look for your date night, friend dinner, and everything in between.

    In keeping with the color scheme of the holiday, I tend to reach for my rosiest pinks and most sensual reds when designing my glam. I’ve become quite the devotee of pink eyeshadow (trust me on this one—it’s way less scary than you think), as well as dark brown liner (it’s a little softer than classic black) and always a warm red lip (if you know, you know). All of my textures, from the eyes to lips, are also ever-so-slightly blurred. Basically, think about how you would look after making out with a cutie in the corner of a dark bar—undone, a little disheveled—and translate that into your various pigments. So if you’re in need of some new ideas on how to do your Valentine’s Day makeup for a sexy little evening, here’s the latest look that I swear by.

    A Minimalist Dewy Base

    There’s nothing sexier than letting your skin breathe, so a lightweight skin tint is key. It blurs dark spots and uneven texture just slightly to still allow your natural radiance to shine through, almost as if you’re permanently lit by candlelight.

    Weekend Skin Spf 50 Natural Glow Tinted Sunscreen With Vitamin C + Niacinamide - Universal Glow

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    Weekend Skin SPF 50
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    I’m a forever fan of this creamy, ridiculously glowy tint, which also includes mineral SPF 50 benefits. Luminosity and sun protection? Be still my heart.

    Golden Hour 24hr Lightweight Skin Tint With Hyaluronic Acid - M3 - Medium

    Armani Beauty
    Golden Hour
    $49
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    All the beauty girls know that nobody does complexion products like Armani. This lightweight tint joined the party last year and I’ve already flown through a tube—it’s just as divine as the cult-favorite foundation.

    Double the Blush, Double the Fun

    When the night calls for setting the mood, I always use a duo of blushes—a deeper shade for my cheeks and around my hairline, and then a pop of brighter pink on top to mimic that out-of-breath flush.

    Futurist Blushmaker Dewy Cheek Tint liquid Blush - Elevator Smile

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    Futurist Blushmaker Dewy Cheek Tint - Elevator Smile
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    This is a brand new find and I’m already so obsessed with the formula. The tiniest drop delivers the prettiest wash of color, and it melts into your skin like a dream. Bonus? It doesn’t budge throughout your wear time.

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    Westman Atelier
    Baby Cheeks in Poppet
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    This is, hands down, a ride-or-die cream blush for me. The Poppet color is Barbie pink in the best way, giving your complexion that perfect lit-from-within glow. My advice? Collect all the Westman Atelier colors, and you’ll never have a dull skin day again.

    Pink Shadow Saveur

    It might sound a little strange to praise a pink eye look so ardently, but it’s the most underrated eyeshadow color in my opinion. For my fellow hazel or brown-eyed girlies, the shade really pops, and obviously, it’s ideal for Valentine’s Day makeup.

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    Want a grown-up pink sparkly eyeshadow that helps you channel your inner sex kitten? You can’t go wrong with this buildable cream formula. I tap it in with my finger for a soft, watercolor effect. Just be sure to use an eyeshadow primer to help the look last through the night.

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    A warm, pearlescent shadow that makes me long for warm summer nights, this formula is made for quick and easy glam that’s still high impact. I use a bit under my bottom lashes as well for a monochromatic effect.

    Smudged-Eye Siren

    There is nothing hotter than a smokey eye, period. The key, in my experience, is reaching for an easily blendable cream formula that keeps your pigment diffused and very morning-after-esque. And, as of late, brown shades have been my go-to for a more modern look.

    Satin Kajal Liner

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    I’m never without at least a handful of VBB liners in my collection, and this newest (and glitter-filled!) shade is my newest must-have. No formula blends as easily, or delivers such a stunning wash of color for that come-hither eye effect.

    Long-Wear Cream Waterproof Eyeliner Stick - Rich Chocolate

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    You can never go wrong with Bobbi Brown, and this long-lasting liner is an absolute must for a date night look. The ultra-fine tip is perfect for getting that pigment into the lash line and creating the ultimate doe-eyed effect.

    Just-Bitten Lips

    A bold lip is a must for Valentine’s Day, and keeping the color perfectly imperfect is my signature. I tap in the pigment, allowing the warmth of my fingers to melt it into my lips and diffuse the edges for a lovely, lived-in look.

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    These dreamy lipsticks are my favorite little luxury. They not only deliver high-impact color but they last, so I can spend less time worrying about my lipstick and more time focusing on whatever cute individual is lucky enough to be in my orbit.

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    Why Trust Marie Claire

    For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

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    Hannah Baxter
    Hannah Baxter
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    Beauty Director

    Hannah Baxter is the Beauty Director at Marie Claire. She has previously held roles at The Zoe Report, Coveteur, and Bust Magazine, covering beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She authors the Marie Claire newsletter Face Forward. Her writing has appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Allure, The Cut, Elle, InStyle, Glamour, Air Mail, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Byrdie, Nylon and more.

    She is also the founder of Anxiety Beer, a weekly newsletter about the intersection of culture and mental health. In her spare time you can catch her reading too many overdue library books, thrifting, or hanging with her hairless cat, Norman. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @hannahbaxward.

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