Valentine's Day beauty: Romantic hair and makeup

Lip loving

Get kissable lips with a raspberry stain. “I'm loving the trend with stains because they look natural,” says hair and makeup artist, Susana Hong. “You can combine one with your favourite lip balm so you have a moist and creamy, translucent texture rather than a sticky lip-gloss.”

Try: Benefit Cosmetics Benetint, $36, Shoppers Drug Mart

Be cheeky

Warm up your wintery complexion with a hint of colour (as seen on Drew Barrymore) on your cheeks. “Dusty rose blushes suit a variety of skin tones, and just give a pretty flush of color to the face, but with a barely there look,” says Hong. Start by applying the blush on the apples of the cheek and blend backwards along the cheekbone in a circular motion in order to avoid streaky edges.  

Try: Nars The Multiple in Maui, $42, Sephora.

Get (and stay) glowing

Keep your skin looking healthy and dewy all night long with a little backstage makeup artist beauty secret: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Blend a small amount of this high shine cream along your cheekbones and brow bones. Your skin will look radiant (and hydrated) without any artificial shimmer.

Try: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, $25, The Bay.

Soft chignon in four easy steps

“For a romantic updo, soft chignons are a style that anyone can achieve at home,” says hair and makeup artist, Susana Hong.

1. Start by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry the hair upside down and comb your fingers through it while drying.  This will ensure that you smooth out the hair without getting rid of your natural texture or wave.

2. When dry, apply a pea-sized amount of a shine sealing serum to avoid dullness, and select a part (middle or side). A general rule of thumb is if you have a rounder face, go with a middle part and if you have a longer face select a side part.  

3. After the part is selected, use either your finger or a wide tooth comb and gather the hair at the nape of the neck and tie it together. Wrap the hair loosely around to get a bun. Don’t worry about loose hairs that might fall out, you can pin it later or leave it because it shouldn't look perfect.  

4. After you've gathered it in the chignon, pin it in place.  Then you can go around the frame of your face and loosen the hairs or even pull them out of the 'do' if it's not too long.  These wisps soften the look and give it that relaxed feel.

Try: TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse, $6, Shoppers Drug Mart 

Pretty in pastels

Whether it’s with a baby pink pout, a minted, smoky eye, or a lilac manicure - indulge in Spring’s feminine trend of muted, girly makeup.

Try: Essence Palette, $4, Shoppers Drug Mart.