Whether you’re headed to a night out, a moody dinner date, or just in the mood for drama, this bold and vampy evening makeup look is guaranteed to turn heads.
It’s intense, glam, and slightly edgy—the perfect combo for a confident statement. It’s not quite Halloween yet, but this sultry look is seasonally fitting for the cooler, darker evenings.
This tutorial is part of our Get Ready With Beaut.ie series, where we’ve explored both simple and more daring makeup styles.
Today’s look falls firmly into the “go big or go home” category—with rich pigments, sculpted cheeks, and a fierce lip. If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone, grab your brushes and let’s begin.
Step 1: Create a Flawless Canvas
For a high-impact look, a smooth and even base is non-negotiable. Start by applying a foundation that suits your skin tone and offers buildable coverage without feeling heavy. One excellent choice for fair skin is Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Foundation in Porcelain—it blends seamlessly and leaves a natural finish that lasts.
Once the foundation is set, lightly define your brows with a pencil like Maybelline Brow Satin in Medium Brown. Since this look already features bold lips and dramatic eyes, the brows should play more of a supporting role—structured, but not overpowering. Keep your strokes light and feathery for a soft, natural appearance.
Step 2: Build the Eye Drama
To start your eye look, sweep a shimmering rose-gold eyeshadow across your entire eyelid using a flat brush. A favorite for this effect is the metallic hue from Sleek’s Original Eye Palette—the wet-look shimmer really brings life to the lids and adds instant dimension.
Before adding depth to the crease, go in with your favorite black eyeliner to create a bold cat-eye flick. This reverse approach (liner before contour) helps guide the shape of your shadow placement. For a more lifted, almond-shaped eye, extend the wing outward rather than upward at the corner.
Step 3: Deepen the Crease & Lashes
Now, take a matte brown shadow—something like Clarins Ombre Matte in Earth—and blend it through your crease using a fluffy brush. Start from the inner corner and blend it outward until it connects with your liner. This creates a soft, sculpted crease with a slight retro edge.
Leave the center of the lid bright to let the pink shimmer contrast with the matte brown. Then, smudge that same brown shade along your lower lash line to tie the look together. Finish the eyes with a few generous coats of volumizing mascara on both the top and bottom lashes. This is not the time to hold back—volume is your friend here.
Step 4: Define the Lips First
Because this lip is the star of the show, it helps to apply it before blush or contour. That way, you can better balance the rest of your face once the bold color is in place. Start by prepping your lips with a moisturizing balm like Carmex, and gently buff them with a cotton bud for a smooth surface.
Next, line your lips using a deep berry or plum lip liner—we recommend MAC’s Currant. Begin with the cupid’s bow and center of the bottom lip, then work your way to the corners. This technique ensures symmetry and helps lipstick last longer. After lining, fill in the entire lip with the pencil before applying your lipstick. Layering is key: apply a coat of lipstick, blot, and repeat. A dramatic shade like MAC’s Heroine is perfect—it makes your eyes pop and screams “evening glam.”
Step 5: Sculpt and Set the Look
With your lips done, move on to contour. Use a cool-toned matte product (a shadow like MAC’s Quarry works beautifully) and sweep it just under your cheekbones using an angled brush. If you’re unsure of the placement, press your thumb gently against your cheek—you’ll feel a natural dip where the contour should go.
Follow with a light touch of blush to avoid clashing with the bold lip. A soft pink like MAC’s Lip and Cheek Colour in Lazy Sunday gives just the right hint of color on the apples of your cheeks. To lock everything in place and reduce shine, dust a setting powder like MAC Studio Fix across your T-zone. It adds extra coverage while helping your makeup last through the night.
Final Touch
To finish, style your hair with an effortless texture—think tousled waves or a messy bun—for a grungy-glam finish that contrasts beautifully with the polished makeup. This look is bold, edgy, and perfect for nights when you want to feel fearless.
Will you be trying this vampy glam look tonight? Tag us in your selfies and let us know how it turned out—we’d love to see your version of the look!