The sun is shining, the birds and bees are buzzing and there’s love in the air… well, for some of us, at least. Talia from London saw my beauty blog and got in touch about first-date make-up. She has a special dinner next week with a new man, and wants to know how to approach it, beauty-wise.

Naturally a girl wants to look gorgeous and feel confident in those special first hours together. But it’s important not to fall into the trap of piling on too much slap to boost your confidence. Guys tend to prefer a naturally pretty look rather than a heavily made-up face. Also, the more make-up you’re wearing, the more maintenance it will need. You don’t want to be dashing to the loo every five minutes to powder your nose and check on your false lashes: he’ll think you’re either crazy or very weak bladdered!

So battle your first-date nerves with the gorgeous natural look I’ve put together. It’s pretty enough to virtually guarantee he’ll ask you out again – and after that it’s all up to you!

How To Do Pretty Natural First Date Makeup

For my ‘Look of Love’, you’ll need:

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation
Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette In Rosewood
Bareminerals Eye Shadow In Graphite
Bareminerals Ready Bronzer In The Deep End
Stila Brighten & Correct Concealer
Bareminerals Mineral Veil
Stila Convertible Colour For Lips & Cheeks In Fuschia
Bareminerals Flawless Definition Mascara In Black

Step 1: Apply Foundation
Apply a foundation all over your skin as a base – Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation is really lightweight but still gives a good coverage and applying it with your fingers will give a nice natural finish.

Step 2: Add Your Eye Colour

The Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Rosewood has all the colours I need, and naturally they work together well, which is important as this look us all about blending browns and nude tones for a natural finish. Start by blending the lightest eye colour across you entire lids. This acts as a base, as well as banishing any discolouration. Now take an angled brush and apply the darkest eyeshadow shade all along the eyelash line. Blend it out at the corner for a winged effect. Then take a larger blending brush and apply a pinky-brown shadow around the outer edge of the lid, blending it in circular motions to aid a smooth colour transition. Take the thin brush again and apply the darker shade under the eye to add more definition.

Step 3: Line Your Eyes

Using an angled brush, guide a dark eyeshadow along the lash line to make your lashes appear thicker. Then do the same to the lower lash line. I’ve used a bareMinerals eye colour in a shade called Graphite. The good thing about using eyeshadow instead of eye liner is that you don’t have to be too perfect – the result is meant to be slightly soft and smudgy.

Step 4: A Touch Of Mascara
Lightly add bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara to the upper and lower eye lashes for a natural look – don’t forget to keep things light and subtle for that perfect first-date feel.

Step 5: Brush On Bronzer
Delicately apply bareMinerals Ready Bronzer under the cheek bones with a large brush for a sculpted look.

Step 6: Add Concealer
Apply Stila Brighten and Correct Concealer under the eyes to brighten up any dark shadows. Smoothing on your concealer at this stage is also a great way to tidy up any mistakes made when applying your eye shadow earlier, by hiding any scattered eye colour.

Step 7: Brush On Powder
Scatter a light dusting of face powder owder under the eyes and over the t-zone to set your make-up and combat any shininess. I’ve used bareMinerals Mineral Veil powder which is incredibly lightweight and natural-looking

Step 8: Create Kissable Lips
Apply a delicate hint of colour to the lips – the Stila Convertible Colour for Lips and Cheeks in Fuschia gives a gorgeously soft and pinky glow. Finally, add subtle shine with dab of vaseline.

Good luck with the big date, Talia. I hope my beauty tips work a treat. It just so happens that I’ve got my eye on a certain guy, so you never know, maybe I’ll get to try out my first-date face soon, too!

Stay beautiful,
Love Binky xxx