How do you transition your hair and makeup from day to night? 13 Beauty Panel tips for doing it with ease

Date March 21, 2013

Beauty Panel Day to Night Hair and Makeup

Ah, the age old question: How can you transition your makeup and hair from your typical daytime look into something special enough for a big night out? After a day spent sitting at a desk or rushing between meetings, it’s unlikely that the makeup you applied at 7am will still look good to go come cocktail hour. Thankfully, with just a few products and tricks, it can be done—and without the need to set up a full vanity in your office!

Challenge 3: How do you take your hair and/or makeup from day to night? See the answers now! »

While our Beauty Panel is a diverse group, there was something almost all of them agreed on: the trick to a successful makeup transition is making sure you keep your daytime look as minimal as possible. As Alison Leong from alison*elle points out, your daytime look acts as a base for whatever you want to apply at night. For Glitter Geek’s Arianne de Guzman, a light eyeshadow is all you need to get through the day. Come nighttime, it’s all about adding smoky dimension with darker colours. And Toronto Beauty Review’s Elaine Atkins advises you to keep your morning mascara application as light as possible—that way you’ll avoid clumps when you add a second coat at night.

For other Beauty Panel members, like Perilously Pale’s like Christa Potter and Michelle Mullins from Lipstick Rules, it’s all about changing up your look with a bold lipstick. Most women know the power a red lipstick can hold: it really is the most effective way at making you feel instantly polished, no matter the scenario. (Seriously: Try applying a red lipstick while lounging in sweats on a Sunday afternoon—it’s an instant mood boost!)

Finally, don’t forget about the hair! Tess Lopez from Makeup By Tess shares two easy and stylish updo options—one for day and one for night—so watch her tutorial now and never be stuck wondering “but what will I do with my hair!” minutes before you have to head out the door.

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.

Aleeza Agno
Toronto | Stylish & Literate

Products used: Maybelline Color Tattoo in “Barely Branded,” Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette, Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Liner, Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara, Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in “P560” and “P385,” Burberry Lip Mist in “#202 Copper,” Benefit Hoola, Nars bush in “Orgasm,” Dior Diorskin Shimmer Star in “Amber Diamond,” Burberry Lip Velvet in “#306 Pink Amber,” Conair 1.25″ Hair Curler

Joyce Wong
Toronto | Sparkly Playground

Daytime: I want to look youthful and bright during the day so I always highlight my face to give off radiance. I like to dab a pink-toned shadow on my lids so that it warms up my look—and because it’s spring I want to avoid wearing any dark hues. I also have very sensitive skin and tend to tan or get sun spots easily so I cannot skip applying a strong sunscreen as part of my morning or day routine. Finally, using a brown eyeliner instead of a harsh black eyeliner will soften the look.

Nighttime: I like to touch up my face by using a tissue to pat gently just to absorb any excess oils. Then I use my concealer and powder to touch up any dark areas and to re-highlight my face. I’m very inspired by the Chanel Spring 2013 beauty look so I incorporated some elements from that into my night look with a pair of gemstone-encrusted false eyelashed. I darken my brows and extended them further outwards and then add drama to my eyes with metallic pigments. I also used my blush/bronzer to sculpt my features. Since the eyes are reflecting a lot of light, I chose a semi matte coral nude lipstick to finish the look.

Products used: Shiseido Ultra Sun Protection Lotion For Face and Body SPF 50, Pixi Beauty Flawless & Poreless Prime, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra in “Ivory 1,” Lancôme Ageless Minerale Setting Powder SPF 15, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot Treatment Concealer, Annabelle CC Cream, Clarins Palette Eclat Face & Blush Powder, M.A.C Blush in “Clove,” Benefit Cosmetics Longwear Powder Eyeshadow in “Pause for Applause,” Essence Eyebrow Designer in “Brown,” Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen, Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Stick in “Witness White” and “Blackmail,” LashGrip Eyelash Adhesive, Fairy Drops Platinum Waterproof Mascara, L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara, M.A.C Crushed Metallic Pigment in “White as Snow” and “Silver Sleet,” Nars Lipstick in “Honolulu Honey,” Clarins Gloss Prodige in “Water Lily”

Alicia Gilby
London | Funny Face Beauty

When taking my makeup from day to night, I like to make it as easy as possible. Rather than remove what I already have on and start the makeup process all over again, I use the following three steps to achieve the perfect nighttime look.

Step 1: Run a dark brown or grey eyeshadow into the crease of the eye, onto the outer 1/3 of the eyelid, and along the lower lash line. This gives eyes definition, as well as a soft, smoky effect.

Step 2: Run a dark brown or black waterproof, kohl eyeliner along both the upper and lower waterline. While this step can make eyes look slightly smaller, it quickly adds drama to any look.

Step 3: Add a bold lip using your favorite bright lipstick. Be sure to use a similarly coloured, or slightly darker, lip liner to help define the lips’ natural shape and ensure that your lipstick stays in place all night long.

Products used: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in “3.5,” Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in “Light.” Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in “Light,” Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Powder Foundation in “113,” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Luminous Light,” Dior Powder Blush in “Rose Bonheur,” Dior Rosy Glow Blush in “Petal,” Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in “RSVP,” M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Naked Lunch,” “Soft Brown,” “Embark” and “Handwritten,” M.A.C Kohl Eyeliner in “Smoulder,” L’Oréal Voluminous Power Black Smoke Mascara, Benefit RSVP, Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Lip Liner in “8C,” Milani Color Statement Lipstick in “Flamingo Pose”

Andrea Victory-LaCasse
Toronto | Shop Pretty

Products used: Ilia Illuminator in “Polka Dots & Moonbeams,” Ilia Lipstick in “Femme Fatale,” Ilia Lipstick in “Ink Pot,” Honoré des Prés Vamp à NY fragrance, Butter London 3-Free Nail Lacquer in “Disco Biscuit”

Arianne de Guzman
Toronto | Glitter Geek

My daytime look is super simple: a sheer wash on the eyelid with a fat eyeshadow pencil that doubles as a base, peach blush and a natural peachy-pink lip. I line the upper waterline with a black pencil to define my lash line without it being too much. Since I’m not wearing a lot of products, this look is something that I can change up easily for a night out.

While most of the time, this lazy girl opts for a statement lip for an evening out, this time I made it all about the eyes. It does take a lot longer, but I think the results are worth it. I grabbed my favourite smoky eye palette and neutral lipstick for this look. To get the eye makeup, I chose deeper shades of purple to marry with the lilac shade on my eyelids. I applied a deep brown on the crease, purple on the outer corners and lower lash line and black on the outer corners. I smudged a line along my top lashes and lined my upper and lower waterlines. Two more coats of mascara completes the eye look. To keep the eyes at centre stage, I switch up the lipstick for a light nude shade. This one is on the peachier side to avoid the dreaded concealer lips.

Products used: Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in “Lavish Lilac,” YSL Blush Radiance in “No 7,” Maybelline Colour Whisper in “Pin Up Peach,” Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara, Urban Decay “Smoked Palette,” M.A.C Lipstick in “Freckletone”

Tess Lopez
Toronto | Makeup By Tess

Products used: L’Oréal Elnett Satin Ultra Strong Hold, Goody Ouchless Hair Ties, Sally Beauty Bobby Pins, Boar Bristle Brush

Jennifer Francis
Durham | Spiced Beauty

I depend on lip colours to switch my day look to night because I usually don’t have a lot of time. During the day, I wear Maybelline Baby Lips and apply a light gloss to prep my lips. I love wearing bright reds or cool fuchsia lipstick as a contrast on my skin tone. To keep my skin oil-free I always make sure I have a pack of blotting pads with me. I also add a waterproof liner to my lower lid and apply more mascara to make my eyes pop.

Products used: Make Up For Ever Foundation Pro Finish in “178,” Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner in “Blackest Black,” Essence Kajal Liner in “Air Mail,” Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Washable Mascara in “Black,” It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil, Annabelle lipstick in “Adrenaline,” Essence Longlasting Lipgloss in “Berry Me”

Elaine Atkins
Toronto | Toronto Beauty Reviews

Transitioning from day to night is at minimum a weekly occurrence for me. I’m often rushing out of the office to head downtown in time for an event. I don’t work in a beauty related industry so taking the time to change up my whole makeup look isn’t really an option for me; so what works for me is carrying a few products that I can apply in a flash!

If I know I’m going to be going out that evening I will wear minimal (if any at all) eyeshadow during the day. This is so that I don’t have to spend much time “fixing” anything and so that when I want to darken the eyes up it doesn’t get cakey. I will line my eyes as normal and use a light coat of mascara. The rest of my face I do the same as my “everyday look” keeping the lips neutral for the office. As for my hair, it’s naturally curly so if I haven’t blown it out the night before I just diffuse it lightly and let it air dry as much as I can.

For my night time look I’ll apply a dark eyeshadow close to my lash line, essentially darkening my eyeliner line. I keep blending until there are no harsh lines and may move up towards the crease. A volumizing mascara is a must—this is why I went with a very light coat of mascara in the morning. I will then choose a darker hued lipstick to wear. It’s important to make sure the lips are moisturized and free of flakes before applying a dark lipstick as all imperfections will show! If I feel like it’s needed I will add more blush. And if necessary I’ll lightly dust my face with a powder to set everything.

If you have curly hair like me by the end of most days it’s usually more frizzy than curly. On days like these I will throw my hair up into a really messy updo. That’s the great thing about curly hair—you don’t have to be neat when putting it up!

Products used: Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage BB Cream, L’Oréal Visible Lift Serum, Absolu Cream Concealer, Yves St. Laurent Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner in “Bronzed Black,” Jurlique Lavender Silk Finishing Powder, Lippy Girl Organic Mineral Blush in “Tongue In Cheek,” Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara, Avon Totally Kissable Lipstick in Alluring Mauve, Redken Curvaceous Ringlet Spray, Urban Decay Naked Palette, Benefit They’re Real Mascara, Mark Make It Rich Lip Crayon in “Royal,” Goody Spin Pins

Christa Potter
Kawartha Lakes| Perilously Pale

My favourite method of giving my look a complete makeover is to simply change my lip colour. By swapping out your everyday lip shade (I’m wearing Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick in “Rose Attraction”) for a super vivid shade, such as “Fuchsia Flash” from the new Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick collection, or a hot red, like Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in “400 The Red,” or a deep vampy shade like Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge in “#10 Raspberry” (as shown), you can totally transform your whole appearance for nighttime impact. I love the Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouges for bold lip shades because they do not budge. AT ALL. There are no concerns of fading, bleeding, or transfer with these lipsticks.

If you are not comfortable with a more attention grabbing lip (or maybe you already wear one everyday) then you can opt for my second quick and simple trick: Glitter baby! Simply pat some eye-catching glitter on top of your everyday eye look and it is suddenly fit to party. My favourite glitter is from LIT Cosmetics, an Alberta company. I used their Clearly Liquid Glitter Base and Champagne Wishes Solid Size #2 Glitter for this look.And if you feel like going all out, and have an extra couple minutes to spare, then rock both!

Products used: Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm in “Shade 1.0,” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light,” Yves Saint Laurent Blush Radiance in “No. 6,” LORAC Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in “Perfectly Lit,” M.A.C Paint Pot in “Painterly,” Urban Decay Naked Palette, Anastasia Brow Wiz in “Ash Blonde,” Benefit They’re Real Mascara, Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick in “Rose of Attraction,” Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Liner in “10C,” Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge in “10 Raspberry,” Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain in “15 Rose Vinyl”

Janella Panchamsingh
Toronto | Bold n Beautiful Makeup

My favourite way to change my day time look into a night time looks is by doing these two things: Deepening my crease with a matte black shadow and a nice winged black liner and then adding a deep berry lip.

Step 1: Deepen crease by using matte black eyeshadow of your choice. Place the colour in the outer V of the eye and blend inward.

Step 2: Line eyes with a black cream, gel or liquid liner winging it out to your liking.

Step 3: Line your lips with your favourite berry lip liner and then fill in your lips entirely.

Step 4: Add your favourite berry lip colour, blending in the liner into the lipstick. Blot lips with a tissue and reapply lip colour.

Products used: M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Satin Taupe,” “Orange” and “Carbon,” Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in “#164” and “#17,” Make Up For Ever Khol Liner in “1k,” Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Liner in “Black,” Dior Diorshow Iconic Over Curl Mascara, Lancôme Hypnose Star Mascara, Nyx Lip Liner in “Deep Purple,” Nyx Lipstick in “Black Cherry”

Alison Leong
Vancouver | alison*elle

When it comes to day-to-night makeup, my philosophy is that the day look is always the most important. Your day look acts as the “base” for your night makeup so having a strong foundation means you only need to add a few extra products before you’re ready for a night on the town. This is especially useful for those of us who need to quickly go from work to play and don’t feel like adding too much additional weight to our bags.

Since face and eye primers help makeup stay on longer, I always start with these. Next, I use a foundation that I know won’t cake up by the end of the day and carefully select products that can be easily built upon later. For me, this means neutral eye makeup, a basic blush, and a “my lips but better” lipstick.

Once the day is done and I’m ready to amp up my look, I add some black eyeshadow into my crease, some black liner, and false lashes. Next, I apply highlighter for a bit of shimmer and swap out my daytime lipstick with a pale lipstick and lipgloss combo. As you can see, a few extra products and I’m ready to go!

Products used: Smashbox Photofinish Primer, Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Lise Watier Ombre Soufflé Suprême in “Taupe Fantasia,” Vasanti Eyeshadow in “Brasilia,” Stila Eyeshadow in “Kitten,” Annabelle Smudge Liner in “Muddy,” Lise Watier Dramatique Intense 3D Volume Mascara, M.A.C Blush in “Melba,” M.A.C Mineralize Lipstick in “Posh Tone,” M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Carbon,” Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in “Zero,” Eylure Naturalites False Lashes, Nars The Multiple in “Copacabana,” M.A.C Lipstick in “Blankety,” Nars Lipgloss in “Turkish Delight”

Michelle Mullins
Toronto | LipstickRules

The transition from day to night for me is all about simplicity. Not everyone has a lot of time to go from desk to dinner, for example. If I know I’m heading out in the evening, I plan out my makeup for day, and then pick out additional products that will amp up that look for night. It’s as easy as switching out a lipstick. Red lipstick, for example, is something that can be worn day or night. For day, I may choose a more sheer red like Revlon’s Candy Apple Lip Butter but when going out, I will switch it with a more vibrant, matte red like MAC’s Russian Red. I will add a bit more of the blush I used during the day, add some black eyeliner and more mascara. To add more glam, I curl my hair to create loose, beachy waves. Finally, to complete the look, I will put on a statement necklace. Instant glam! Throw one on, and you’re good to go!

Products used: Urban Decay Naked Palette, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, Revlon Lip Butter in “Candy Apple,” Cover Girl Mascara, M.A.C Mineralize SkinFinish, M.A.C blush in “Dolly Mix,” M.A.C lipstick in “Russian Red,” Maybelline Master Duo EyeStudio Liner, No Bleeding Lips Liner

Gaby Fauchon
Montreal | Gaby’s Beauty Blog

I always prefer to start on a fresh canvas when applying makeup, but here are the simple steps I follow when I want to give my everyday makeup a little “omph” for the night. When I am doing my everyday makeup, my goal is to achieve a fresh face and eyes that look awake, so there is usually not much left to do for a night out. However, I really like to emphasize my eyes with a smoky eye. I enjoy using Revlon CustomEyes in “Naturally Glamorous” since it contains shades suitable for the day, but also has the colours to complete a nice smoky eye. I will often have already applied the champagne and light brown shades for the day, so I like to complete the look with the darkest brown shades and the gorgeous shimmery black. I will also line my eyes and waterline with Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in “Black” and smoke it out a bit for that sultry effect. A tip I have learned to make a smoky eye stand out even more is to apply a bit of concealer under the eyes when the makeup is done. I like using theBalm Time Balm Concealer in “Light” for this. To finish off the eyes, I like to emphasize my brows by drawing them on thickly with Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Liner in “Taupe.”

Since the base of my face has already been completed in the morning, I will only apply a bit more of Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Bosting Powder in “Bronzer” and Milani Baked Powder Blush in “Luminoso” to contour and brighten up my face. The final touch is a nude lipgloss, as to let my eyes be the stars of the night. RevlonSuper Lustrous Lipgloss in “Peach Petal” is perfect for this!

Products used: Revlon CustomEyes in “Naturally Glamorous,” Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in “Black,” The Balm Time Balm Concealer in “Light,” Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara, Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eyeliner in “Taupe,” Annabelle CC Colour Control Instant Perfecting Base in “Natural,” Annabelle CC Colour Control Pressed Powder in “Medium/Dark,” Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Bosting Powder in “Bronzer,” Milani Baked Powder Blush in “Luminoso,” Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in “Peach Petal”