Once your Valentine’s Day plans are officially set, it’s time to turn your attention to the glam details that will elevate the weekend. From booking a festive manicure for the occasion, to choosing a romantic perfume that makes you ooze with confidence, there’s a lot to consider on the beauty front. And, finally, the element that ties it all together: your makeup. Deciding on your overall vibe is the final touch that pulls everything together—especially when it comes down to the most important part, your lips (I mean we all want the most kissable V-Day lips, don't we?).
If you’re looking for makeup inspiration, we’ve curated the chicest celebrity-inspired lip combinations that Cosmo editors are planning to recreate for Valentine’s Day. Whether you prefer something soft and understated or a bold, classic red, there’s a look here sure to match the energy you’re bringing to February 14.
Ahead, the best lip combos to try for your next date night.
A natural lip
If you’re going for a more skin-forward look (we're big Nina Park stans here at Cosmo), natural lips are an easy yet polished option. Start by lining your lips with a pencil or stain that’s slightly deeper than your natural lip color, then finish with a neutral or clear gloss for a subtle, your-lips-but-better effect.
A bold red lip
Red lips are bold, classic, and perfectly suited for a sultry date night. Start by deciding whether you want a cool, warm, or neutral red (the shade pictured above leans cooler). Some unfailing options are MAC's Ruby Woo or NARS in Unauthorized. And because the pigment does most of the work, a sharp liner is best used to refine the shape and keep the lip looking as precise as possible.
A pretty pink lip
You can't go wrong with a flirty pink lip, especially for V-Day, and there’s no shortage of glosses and lipsticks to choose from. Some of our favorties include L'Oreal's viral Ballerina Shoes or YSL Loveshine in Lucky Moonstone. To add dimension, lightly contour the lips with a deeper rose or mauve shade for subtle depth.
A classic mauve lip
My personal favorite lip look is a mauve shade that subtly deepens the natural color of the lips. The cult-favorite Make Up For Ever Wherever Walnut liner imparts the tone effortlessly, and top it off with the Tower 28 Lip Oil in Sesame for a monochrome, glass-like finish.
A dusty rose lip
If you’re looking for something a bit more eye-catching than a classic pink or mauve, a dusty rose shade feels especially elevated. Hourglass's Lip Balm in Desire will give you the ideal balance of shade and level of pigment.
A deep brown lip
Call it what you want—mocha, espresso, or chocolate lips—but a rich brown is undeniably statement-making. A deep brown liner adds instant definition, making the hue a chic alternative to classic reds or pinks. Opt for a brown stain like Summer Fridays's in Mocha and swipe on the Rhode Peptide Lip in Espresso for a shiny tint.
A bright coral lip
Coral lips are playful and fun, bringing a fresh pop of color that still feels wearable to your date night. The warm mix of pink and orange makes coral especially flattering, and the perfect combo is Dior's Glow Balm in Coral topped off with Gisou's Lip Oil in Mango Passion Punch. And opting for a coral blush for a sunkissed vibe is the perf way to pull the whole look together.
A muted nude lip
A light nude lip, à la Kim K or Lily-Rose Depp, is understated but endlessly versatile, making it perfect for letting your eyes take center stage. Choose a shade that closely matches your natural lip color for a barely-there effect, and you can go slightly deeper with a pencil for amped up definition. For that soft, lived-in look, opt for an intentionally muted lipstick like MAC's Acting Natural or Makeup by Mario's Sierra.
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Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan who covers skincare, bodycare, fragrance, and more.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
