Some days, you wake up feeling like it's any other day. You go about your usual beauty look, whether it's glowing cheeks or a textbook cat-eye, without a second thought. Other days, you feel a little daring and take the extra time to contour or embrace a bold lip color. But how exactly do you give your tried-and-true routine a jolt of fresh inspiration? The trick is to start in your comfort zone and build on basics. With the help of makeup artist Ralph Siciliano, we took four everyday beauty looks and turned up the dial from 0 to 60, transforming each mild look into something wild. We're talking about a highlighter-bright double cat-eye, vinyl-finish lips, and more. From Siciliano's easy-to-follow steps to his mix of high-low products — like drugstore brushes from Wet n Wild and department-store eyeliners — these looks are not only wearable but also simple to DIY. So what's it going to be tomorrow: same ol' or super-bold?
Cherubic To Contoured
In the blink of an eye (or frame of a GIF), this ethereal, dewy flush transforms into defined, contoured cheekbones. Two different looks with one common denominator: They're both super easy to create. See how we do it ahead.
Start Mild
Prep your skin with foundation or BB cream, and groom your brows with a bit of gel. Then, lightly define each eye with a taupe shadow across the upper lashline up to the crease. For that otherworldly glow, mix a tiny bit of good ol' Vaseline with a shimmery cream highlighter, and use your fingertips to tap the combo all over your cheekbones. Finish with a light-pink gloss.
Make It Wild
Bump up your brows with a powder that's one shade darker than your natural color for extra drama. Pack on more taupe shadow, making sure to blend the edges of the cat-eye shape. Trace along your upper lashline and lower waterline with a waterproof black pencil, and finish with two coats of volumizing mascara. Now, sculpt some major cheekbones: Apply contouring powder in the hollows of your cheeks (try making a fish face, suggests Siciliano) and a deep-pink blush right on top of your cheekbones. One final pop of fuchsia gloss on the lips, and you're ready to show the world who's boss — one super-sculpted cheek at a time.
Vintage sequin top, COS shirt, Jennifer Fisher rings, Catbird stack rings, Eddie Borgo earring, Efva Attling earring.
Prim To Punk
At this point, you can do the classic cat-eye in your sleep. Translation: You're ready for the next step in the world of swishes and flicks. That's why we're changing it up big time by exaggerating the wing and adding a colorful splash of highlighter-blue liner. Read on for the lowdown.
Start Mild
Begin with your usual base and brow prep, then create a smooth canvas over each eyelid with primer. To start your cat-eye, trace along your upper lashline with a black cream eyeliner. Follow the angle of your lashline, and extend the liner about half an inch past the outer corner for a modern take on the look. Finish up with two coats of lengthening mascara plus a swipe of peach lip gloss.
Make It Wild
Work a brow powder through your arches for fuller, bolder brows. Then, grab a bright-blue liquid liner, and trace along your initial cat-eye from the inner to outer corner, creating a double cat-eye. If your line looks a little jagged, go back and sharpen it with the black liner. (It's easier to smooth things over with a dark color rather than a light shade.) Finish with another layer of gloss and a bit of blush to balance out the cool blue hue. Once you've tried this look, there's no going back to a regular cat-eye.
Lacoste mesh shirt, Commes Des Garçon top, Jennifer Fisher bracelet and ring, Catbird stack rings, Efva Attling earring.
Fresh To Fierce
If you're used to neutral makeup, trying something colorful can be hard — even if it's as harmless as red lipstick. But once you see how gorgeous a defined crimson pout can be, we bet you'll change your mind — and lip color — lickety-split. Check it out ahead.
Start Mild
After your usual base prep, add some depth to your eyes with a wash of light-gray eyeshadow over the lids and chocolate-brown pencil along each upper lashline. You'll get softer, more subtle definition without the harsh, telltale signs of black liner, says Siciliano. A few swipes of lengthening mascara and rosy lip balm finish off the fresh-faced look. See, this one's easy!
Make It Wild
Play up your brows with a little powder, combing through with clear gel to blend the product and keep any unruly hairs in check. Then, trace over your chocolate liner with a black pencil for more drama and definition; also run the liner along your lower waterline. Make your complexion pop with a bright-pink blush on the apples of your cheeks, blending well so there's more of an après-ski flush and zero clown vibes. For amped-up lips, use a small brush to apply deep-red lipstick. The final touch? Pat a matching gloss on top for a shiny finish. Make sure you actually pat, though, otherwise you risk smudging your first layer of color. Now, what were you saying about not being a red lipstick kinda woman?
Saint James top, Maryam Nassir Zadeh jacket, Catbird stack rings, Jennifer Fisher ring, Trademark earrings.
Soft To Smoldering
Think of this beauty transformation as a play on night and day. For the 9-to-5, soft, neutral makeup is the name of the game. But for the other 9-to-5, the eyes get amped up with sooty metallic shadow. See how it all goes down ahead.
Start Mild
With your base prepped as usual, apply a thin layer of primer all over each eyelid. Dust translucent powder on top to set the formula and help the eyeshadow blend more evenly, says Siciliano. Next, use a small eyeshadow brush to sweep on a shimmery-brown shadow from your upper lashline to the crease, extending the color toward the tail end of your brow. Bring any leftover shadow underneath your lower lashline for a hint of dimension, and then run a black pencil along your upper lashline and lower waterline. Coat your lips in a neutral stain to finish the look.
Make It Wild
Now, here's where things get fun. After beefing up your brows with powder, dip a small eyeshadow brush in black cream liner, and buff it softly right over your brown eyeshadow. Start at the center of the lid and blend toward the outer corner, smudging any leftover product in the inner corner and underneath the lower lashline for an all-over smoky look, says Siciliano. Top it off with a glittery foil effect: Dip a clean brush in metallic silver shadow, and lightly pat it all over your lids. Diffuse any harsh edges with a blending brush, and add a final swipe of '90s-inspired mauve lipstick. Who else is ready to take on the night?
APC coat; 3x1 top; Frame Denim overalls; Catbird stack rings; Jennifer Fisher earrings, cuff, and ring.
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