How to Do Your Makeup and Hair for a Girls' Night Out

Don’t get us wrong: There’s nothing like spending a night in, cozying up in your pajamas, and watching TV with a big bowl of popcorn. But sometimes it’s fun to get all dressed up and hit the town with a gang of your best friends. Having a good, old-fashioned girls’ night out consists of a few things. First, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing as long as you’re with your best friends. Second, you’re wearing an amazing outfit that makes you feel confident. Third, you’re rocking a killer makeup look and hair style. Finally, you have to snap a lot of pics (the night may end, but the memories last forever, after all). Need some new inspo for this very situation? With a little black eyeliner and bold lipstick, we’re here to help upgrade your girls’ night makeup and hair routine.

1. FAKE A GLOW WITH DEWY FOUNDATION

Get your glow on by swapping out your regular liquid foundation for one that has a dewy finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Foundation. Apply it with a makeup sponge, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, using dabbing and rolling motions to blend the foundation onto your skin. 

2. GIVE YOUR LASHES A LIFT WITH MASCARA

Get ready to bat some seriously flirty lashes. Choose a waterproof volumizing mascara formula, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Feline Waterproof Mascara. Start by applying it at the base of your lashes and gently sweeping up.

3. GO FOR A SHIMMERING SMOKY EYE

OK, we know what you’re thinking: the smoky eye is everyone’s go-to look for a girls’ night out. But we’re not talking about the traditional dark smoky eye. We’re giving this classic look a shimmery golden makeover. Swap out the gray and black shadows for a gold eyeshadow palette instead. This is a great way to stand out if you’re wearing a little black dress (another girls’ night out favorite). 

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step #1: Prime Your Lids

Apply an eye shadow primer to your lids to create a smooth canvas on which to work.

Step #2: Apply Gold Eye Shadow

Layer a gold eye shadow onto your lids using a flat eye shadow brush. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine. 

Step #3: Apply Messy Eyeliner

Create a thick line on your upper lids using a black pencil eyeliner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner. Don’t worry about making it perfect, a smoky eye is allowed to be messy!

Step #4: Smoke Out Your Lower Lash Line

Line along your lower lash line using the same black pencil, then blend out the liner with a dark brown shadow and a small, flat brush. This will help to add dimension and make the look even smokier.

4. GET CATTY WITH YOUR EYELINER

Not into sparkles? That’s alright—we’ve got another show-stopper look for you: winged eyeliner. There’s a reason why the cat eye is a beloved and timeless beauty trend: It looks great on anyone and adds just the right amount of drama. 

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step #1: Prime Your lids

Prep your lids with an eye primer first.

Step #2: Line Your Upper Lash Line

Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eyeliner in Black Party and starting at the inner corner of your eye, trace all of your upper lash line.

Step #3: Wing It  

Draw a small triangle at the outer corner of your eye. This is your wing!

Step #4: Clean Up with Eye Makeup Remover

Don’t worry if you didn’t get your cat eye perfect on the first try! Go back in with a cotton swab dipped in eye makeup remover and no one will be the wiser.

5. MAKE A STATEMENT WITH A BOLD LIP COLOR 

While red might be your go-to lipstick shade for a girls’ night out, why not step out of your comfort zone and try a new hue this time? Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints/Lip, which is available in 14 shades ranging from a deep burgundy to a bright fuchsia. Outline your lips with the applicator first, then fill in your lips. 

6. LET YOUR HAIR DOWN 

Give yourself gorgeous beachy waves for your girls’ night out. This show-stopping hairstyle is oh-so-easy to create. After washing your hair, spritz on the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray, then braid your hair. Let your hair air dry—when you unbraid it, you can expect effortlessly tousled tresses. The best part: No heat tools are required to get this look.

7. ROCK A NON-BORING PONYTAIL

Whoever said ponytails are boring clearly never saw a sleek, slicked-back take on the style. And let’s be real: What better way is there to keep your hair off of your face while you’re dancing the night away? Oh, and did we mention that it takes just seconds to create? The next time you’ve got plans with your BFFs, slick your hair back into a ponytail and take the style up a notch by wrapping a piece of your hair around the hair tie, effectively hiding it. Secure with a bobby pin and you’re good to go!

What’s a gal to do when her girls’ night out plans fall through at the last minute? Have a girls’ night in! Here are 6 Beauty Tips for Your Next Girls’ Night In.