As I was planning this month’s beauty post I couldn’t help but think of all the guys who approached me about the blog last Tuesday during the Matt Light Celebrity Shootout. Each one leaning in, pausing, looking over their shoulder, both shoulders, then, only when they knew their secret would be safe, would whisper “I love your blog”, before quickly backing away as if they had just said the most dangerous of things.

Don’t worry guys, your secret is safe with me…. your readership means a lot and I won’t blow your cover! But, if you haven’t already noticed by the title “September Beauty Picks: Date Night Favorites”, this one might be a bit of a let down.

Last month in my August Beauty Picks I promised to post my date night makeup favorites in the fall. It’s perfect timing too, because September marks the start of Matt’s busy season for events, fundraisers, and appearances.

See, when Matt played, we had date night every Monday night for 11 seasons (Tuesdays are the weekend for football folks). It was wonderful! Nowadays, in order to get a night out I tag along to events like “Young Entrepreneurs of New England”, while Matt gives speeches and signs autographs. But whatever, I’m out. I’m in heels. I can’t complain.

Anyway, here they are, my date night makeup favorites:

1. DERMABLEND INTENSE PowderCamo. I learned about this one from the insanely gorgeous Maria Stephanos. She is one of those people whose beauty and charisma combined with the willingness to share her secrets makes her a walking billboard. I mean, have you seen this woman? I’m not a big powder wearer, but Maria slapped this on my face and I couldn’t believe how great my makeup looked until bedtime! I ran straight out and had to buy it myself… “I’ll have what she’s having!”   
   
2. Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Bronzer in Park Ave Princess. Ok, just one more from Maria… walking billboard, I’m telling you! I’ve been looking for a new bronzer that isn’t so dark. Sometimes it seems like so many bronzers out there aren’t compatible with my coloring, but this one is perfect! It also comes in a formula with shimmer which is gorgeous as well.
3. Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer. I came across this gem a few weeks ago while browsing through ULTA with my daughter Grace. She, in her abundance of teenage wisdom, assured me this product was getting great reviews and convinced me to try it out. Well….she was right, it’s amazing! Best under eye concealer I’ve ever used!! If your under eyes can be tricky to cover, you will love this stuff!
4. Sephora Collection Classic Line Eyeliner.  I never leave for date night without eyeliner! It’s one of the things, in my opinion, that takes you from a daytime look to date night ready in one step! And, if you’re still afraid to stray from your pencil, the felt tip on this one is perfect to help you transition to liquid. It’s the first and only liquid I’ve ever used! Love it!
5. Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil.I was born with some seriously robust Lithuanian eyebrows. Had I known that this was going to be a look someday, I would NOT have tweezed the crap out of them in my teens. Oh, hindsight… thanks for nothing. But, there are so many great brow boosters out there, and this one happens to be my current fav. I’m not going to take the extra step to groom my eyebrows every time I leave the house, but date night warrants the 20 sec of added labor.
6. Urban Decay Glide On Lip Pencil in Naked2. Using a lip pencil (they call it pencil now, instead of liner, because clearly liner has developed a bit of undeserved stigma). Whatever you want to call it, like eyeliner and brow pencil, lip pencil is a simple way to take your look from day to night. I’m a huge fan of Urban Decay’s Naked2. It’s subtle and looks amazing paired with just about any gloss (my favorite to wear it with is Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Gloss in ‘Taupe with Me’, featured in last month’s beauty post).