16 Charming Valentine's Day Makeup Ideas

Love is in the air, and so are a variety of fun beauty trends that are perfect for Valentine's Day makeup. Whether it's ultra-feminine looks like coquette makeup or Barbiecore, embracing the color of the year (peach fuzz), or timeless techniques such as velvet lips and sultry smokey eyes, there's a style for everyone. We consulted with expert makeup artists about their top Valentine's Day makeup picks this year and how to achieve each one.

1. Sweet in Strawberry

Looking to achieve a natural yet polished look this Valentine's Day? The strawberry milk makeup style from Ilia embodies the ideal 'no makeup makeup' vibe. Begin with a quarter-sized amount of The Base Face Milk, followed by the application of Super Serum Skin Tint for a light foundation base. Then, use Multi Stick in Dear Ruby. A tip: warm it on the back of your hand for the smoothest application, and keep the Multi Stick handy for quick touch-ups after any smooches. Finish off the look with Limitless Lash Mascara.

2. Smoky and Sultry

Brittany Lo, Founder of Beia and Beautini, shares that her favorite Valentine's Day look features a simple smokey eye, paired with blush and a bold red lip. 'It adds depth and definition, making your eyes pop without overshadowing the pinks or reds in your blush and lipstick.'

To recreate this look, Lo suggests using an eyeshadow palette with ombré shades like Lune+Aster Kaleidoscopic Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.

3. Quick and Adorable

Pressed for time this Valentine's Day? Try this simple and speedy look from Purlisse. The best part? It only takes a few products. Start by applying primer, BB cream, and concealer. Then, use Blush Glow BB Cheek Color in Sweet Rose on your cheeks, lids, and lips for a charming all-over pink hue.

4. Blushing in Love

Feeling a little love in the air? Express it with The Creme Shop’s Cheekmate Powder Blush Trio Palette. Begin by applying the lightest blush to the inner corners of your cheeks, then the medium shade to the middle. Finish with the darkest shade on the outer edges.

5. Semi-Natural with a Bold Twist

Claudia Betancur, L’Oreal Paris League of Experts, reveals that this natural yet bold-lipped look is easy to achieve. 'Start with a clean base, like L’Oreal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum.' She suggests applying it with your fingertips for a smoother finish, instead of using a brush or sponge.

Start by outlining your lips with an eyebrow pencil (yes, eyebrow pencil) in a natural shade like Brow Stylist Definer. 'Add a bit of red tint in the center and layer on a glossy finish to create the perfect strawberry lips look.'

6. Pretty in Pink

Sam Kyle, Creative Development, Design, and Makeup Artist at Mirabella, is a fan of this pretty in pink style. It requires a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it. After applying primer, concealer, and foundation, use contour shades along the cheekbones, jawline, sides of the nose, and top of the forehead. 'Highlight the tip of the nose, cupid’s bow, tops of the cheekbones, and center of the forehead to lift and accentuate your natural features.'

For a pop of pink on the cheeks, Kyle recommends using Mirabella's Opulent Face Trio. 'Apply the cream shade to the tops of the cheeks, blending upwards toward the temples, then work the powder shade onto the cheekbones for a soft, natural flush.'

Finish the look with shimmering pink eyeshadow and bold black liquid eyeliner.

7. Play with Color

Marcia Williams, makeup artist and founder of Embellish Beauty, is a fan of this playful Valentine’s Day look. Start by brushing your brows in their natural direction and setting them with gel. 'Use concealer to define the brow line, then apply Danessa Myricks ColorFix in Nude all over the eyelid as a base,' she suggests.

After applying berry-toned eye makeup, mascara, and lashes, dust translucent powder over your face.

Next, apply foundation, liquid blush, concealer, and highlighter. Finish the look with Embellish Beauty Beauty Drug Lipstick and set it all with a final spray of setting mist.

8. Gorgeous and Glowy

Nikki DeRoest, celebrity makeup artist and cofounder of Ciele Cosmetics, recommends this Valentine’s Day look for its timeless elegance that highlights the eyes without being too bold. Start with Ciele Cosmetic’s Tint and Protect tinted serum, then follow up with Ciele’s Blush And Protect in June.

The makeup artist suggests using a micro eyeliner brush to apply gel eyeliner, followed by dark brown matte eyeshadow to blur and soften the lines. Add a touch of sparkle by applying a little shadow to the inner corners of your eyes.

9. A Classic Red Lip

Have you ever wanted to try a bold red lip? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time. Celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray suggests using a nude lip liner as a base for red lips (who would’ve thought?). Her favorite choice is Catrice’s Plumping Lip Liner in Understated Chic. Next, she applies Catrice's Scandalous Matte Lipstick in Blame the Night. 'Use the lipstick bullet or a lip brush to shape the lips to perfection, and you’re done.'

10. Feminine and Pink

'Soft or bright pinks, with a touch of shimmer on the eyes and a pink pout, is absolutely stunning,' says Gray. Begin with a shimmer shadow from Catrice’s Electric Rose Palette. Add definition to the crease and lower lash line by blending a deeper rose shade. Pair this with a peachy-pink blush for a complete look.

To create the bold lip, outline and slightly overdraw the lip line using Plumping Lip Liner in Cheers to Life. Then, fill in the center with a vibrant pink lipstick such as Scandalous Matte Lipstick in Casually Overdressed or Go Bold Or Go Home.

11. Coquette Makeup

Embrace your inner Bridgerton with coquette makeup this Valentine’s Day. 'Coquette Makeup focuses on creating a soft, romantic allure with gentle eyeshadow shades, rosy blush, and a glowing highlight,' explains Drita Paljevic, professional makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. 'The aim is to craft a delicate, charming look with subtle lip color and fluttery lashes to enhance your overall appeal.'

Paljevic suggests using a dreamy eyeshadow palette like the Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Contour Eyeshadow Palette in Light for your eye look. You'll also want a rosy blush, such as Iconic London’s Sheer Blush in Powder Pink, along with a soft highlighter and a sheer pink or berry lip gloss. Finish off with dark mascara and/or falsies for extra drama.

12. Soft Peach Fuzz Makeup

Every year, Pantone announces a 'color of the year' that influences upcoming trends. This year, they selected 'peach fuzz,' a perfect hue for a fresh and sweet Valentine’s Day makeup look.

'Peach fuzz-inspired makeup is taking over the internet,' says Dominique Lerma, an executive makeup artist at MODA Brush. 'The beauty of these shades is that they are universally flattering.'

For this style, Lerma recommends using the Viseart Petites Matte Warm Palette, applying Cantaloupe on the eyelid and blending Cidre into the crease. Use a nude eyeliner on the waterline to make the eyes appear larger and more awake. Her favorite product is Makeup Forever's Artist Color Pencil in Boundless Bisque. Complete the look with a peachy liquid blush and gloss, like Bodyography Color Cassette Liquid Blush Lip in Soft Peach, and finish with natural, soft lashes using brown or dark brown mascara.

13. Sultry, Smokey Eyes

When putting together the perfect makeup for Valentine’s Day, a classic smokey eye is always a winner. This iconic look involves blending darker eyeshadows to create a sultry and dramatic effect around the eyes.

For the best results, try using Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in The Rock Chic or The Vintage Vamp. Be sure to line your eyes with either a black or dark brown eyeliner, adjusting the intensity depending on how dramatic you want the look to be. Smudge the liner for a softer finish, then add a few coats of mascara.

'Opt for soft, understated shades for the lips and cheeks to complete this romantic and alluring look, whether you’re out on a date or staying in,' says Paljevic.

14. Velvet Lips

What better texture to inspire your Valentine’s Day makeup than velvet? While silk comes close, velvet has an undeniable luxurious appeal!

'Velvet Lips have been a staple for makeup artists for years,' says Lerma. To achieve this look, professionals often layer MAC Pro Pigments over any lip color. However, there are other techniques to create this velvety effect as well.

'The Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colours offer a rich, highly pigmented formula with a velvet-like finish on the surface of the lipstick,' Lerma explains. 'It feels like velvet fabric—long-lasting, creamy, and matte yet hydrating. Another great option is Fenty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick, which has a smooth, whipped texture and wears beautifully throughout the day.'

15. Hot Pink Barbiecore

Barbie continues to influence beauty trends, especially when it comes to creating the perfect pink makeup for Valentine’s Day. 'Barbiecore is a bold, glamorous trend inspired by the iconic Barbie doll, and it’s making a huge comeback thanks to the recent movie,' notes Paljevic. 'The look embraces playful, vibrant colors to create a fun, doll-like vibe.'

For this look, Paljevic suggests softening the bold colors by using pastel shades like white, powder blue, or light pink on the eyes to give a fresh, highlighted effect. Try ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Dream Much, Ice Dream, or In the Saddle. Finish the eyes with a bold black liner like Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and mascara. For the lips, you can choose a bold fuchsia lipstick or keep it subtle with a pale pink shade.

16. Ballet Chic Makeup

For a more subtle version of the Barbie look that leans towards minimalist charm, balletcore makeup is a beautiful choice for this Valentine’s Day.

'For balletcore makeup, focus on doll-like pink cheeks, a variety of pink lips, and a soft, iridescent wash of color across the eyelids,' says Lerma. 'You’ll also want a glowing base, which can be achieved with products like Saie’s Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator and a light foundation or skin tint.'

For the eyes, Lerma recommends Half Magic Beauty Chromaddiction Shimmer Eye Paint + Liner in Baby Bunny for an all-over shimmer and to create whimsical, fairy-like winged accents. Your cheeks should have a natural, radiant flush—try Sephora Collection Colorful Powder Luminizer in Pink Flash or Rose Quartz. Finish with a nude lip and soft, wispy lashes.