This Valentine's Day, let's skip the clich�s. The red frilly lingerie, the bubblegum pink lipstick, the generic heart-shaped chocolate sampler. Because you know what it says: "I'm trying way too hard." And really, the key to looking sexy is to not look like you're trying too hard.
What does that mean? For starters, your hair shouldn't be too stiff or "done." Really, all you should go for is "touch appeal," says sexy hair guru Italo Gregorio. (He's styled Olivia Wilde, Nicole Kidman, and the Victoria's Secret Angels, so I figure he knows a thing or two on this subject.) For makeup, celebrity makeup artist Linda Hay says anything goes as long as your skin is glowing.
To get you geared up for V-Day -- minus the Hallmark cheesiness -- I found plenty of sexy celebrity looks to try. Now if only I could find a non-schmaltzy card �
Spending the night in but still want to knock your guy head over heels? Pair Taylor Swift's Bardot-inspired liner and Birkin-esque blowout with jeans and a comfy tee.
To get the look, apply black liquid liner to your upper lashline, swooping it up slightly at the outer corners. (Try COVERGIRL LineBlast 24 Hour Eyeliner, $7.99.) Then grab a pro blow dryer and use this blowout tutorial. If you want, wrap the ends of your hair around a 1- to 2-inch curling iron, held vertically, for a loose curl.
Photo 3/8
Let your hair down
Rose Byrne's sleek, chin-length bob and rosy blush are perfect for a low-key dinner.
To get the look, apply leave-in conditioner to damp hair and blow dry straight with a round brush. If you want a super-sleek finish, flatiron throughout and finish with a shine-enhancing product. (Try FEKKAI Brilliant Glossing Shine Mist, $25.) Set with hairspray.
There's a reason Rihanna was named "Esquire's" sexiest woman alive. While she's no longer a redhead, this is still one of her sexiest looks ever -- perfect for the dance floor.
To get her big, bouncy curls, apply a gel-shine lotion combo to conditioned hair and blow dry with a diffuser. Wrap dry hair in a spiral fashion around a small-barrel curling iron, leaving out the ends. Mist lightly with hairspray.
Speaking of dancing, Julianne Hough knows how to keep men on their feet. Just look at those tousled waves and "come hither" lashes. Definitely sexy.
To get the look, apply mousse throughout wet hair and spray volumizer at the crown of your head. (Try Pantene Fine Hair Solutions Root Lifter Spray Gel, $3.99.) Blow dry 2-inch sections from front to back with a medium round brush. Pin each section up into a curl after drying and let it set for about five minutes. Unpin, comb through with fingers -- not a brush -- and mist with hairspray.
Keep your makeup light and natural looking but feel free to load up on mascara like Julianne did. (Try COVERGIRL LashBlast 24 Hour Mascara, $7.99.)
This Valentine's Day, let's skip the clich�s. The red frilly lingerie, the bubblegum pink lipstick, the generic heart-shaped chocolate sampler. Because you know what it says: "I'm trying way too hard." And really, the key to looking sexy is to not look like you're trying too hard.
What does that mean? For starters, your hair shouldn't be too stiff or "done." Really, all you should go for is "touch appeal," says sexy hair guru Italo Gregorio. (He's styled Olivia Wilde, Nicole Kidman, and the Victoria's Secret Angels, so I figure he knows a thing or two on this subject.) For makeup, celebrity makeup artist Linda Hay says anything goes as long as your skin is glowing.
To get you geared up for V-Day -- minus the Hallmark cheesiness -- I found plenty of sexy celebrity looks to try. Now if only I could find a non-schmaltzy card �
