Vampires have taken over pop culture, so it’s not surprising that this fall’s makeup trend is dark bold lips. Now if we could make that annoying “tan” thing go away too, I’d be so in style!
So I’m sort of thinking about trying this new trend, but am a little overwhelmed by the choices. I mean you’ve got:
Lip Gloss
Lip Stick
Lip Stain
Lip Balm
Lip Liner
Lip Plumper
And then you’ve got the crazy colors like:
Apocalypse
Gash
Pistol
Trainwreck
Midnight Cowboy
I mean nothing says “beautiful” like “Trainwreck.” I didn’t make these up, but how fun would it be to have that job naming the colors!? Anyway, I did a little research and thought I’d help us all out in case you too decide to vamp it up a bit this fall. Here goes:
Choosing the right lip “thing”
The wetter the product, the dewier, more transparent your finished result will be:
- Balms or liquid stains deliver a sheer red finish.
- Thicker glosses and moist crème lipsticks offer soft, fuller coverage.
- Matte lipsticks give a drier, bolder look.
As a general rule, moister finishes are more appropriate for causal, everyday wear, whereas matte finishes are best suited for more dramatic evening affairs. (I did not know this.) Also, beware: because matte products are more drying and severe, they can accentuate wrinkles around the mouth and make you look older. (Note to self – no matte)
Choosing your color
- Fair skinned ladies should opt for a red with blue or cool undertones.
- Ruddy skin meaning “with reddish undertones” (Do we have to call it “ruddy?” You may as well call us “Pepperoni Faces”) Anyway, you Pepperoni Faces look best with pinkish reds that have tinges of violet or fuchsia.
- Olive and darker skin colors look great in warm reds with orange, golden, or brown bases.
- Dark brown skin looks stunning in brighter fuchsia reds. (Stunning you say? Not Ruddy?)
Application
I know most of us know how to put on lipstick, but putting on super dark lipstick is a little more high maintenance. “They” the makeup officials, encourage you to exfoliate your lips lightly with a toothbrush, moisturize them, then blot to dry. Don’t go overboard though like one of my friends did (KT!) and exfoliate so much your lips are raw. Although if they’re all bloody, you won’t be needing any lip stain!
OK putting it on:
- Line lips with a lip pencil that matches your natural lip color.
- Set down a base layer by lightly applying the lip color (stick or gloss) with a professional grade lip brush (yeah not gonna happen) spreading color from the center of your lips and moving out.
- Blot lips with tissue and apply a second coat.
- For extra dimension and the appearance of a fuller, more sensual pout, finish with a tiny dollop of pearlized gloss in the middle of the bottom lip. (My gloss isn’t pearlized, it’s more clear. Does that mean my pout will be less sensual?)
- Pucker up. (Noway! Then all my hard work will be smudged on R-Patz’s my husband’s face.) No the real last step should be “Repeat steps 1-4 after every bite of food or sip of drink.”
And you guys probably know this, but again the beauty gods say that if you’ve applied a red lip, the rest of your makeup and hair should be clean and simple. No trainwrecks. Keep it classic with just a little bit of neutral eye shadow, a few sweeps of mascara, a little liner, well-groomed eyebrows (well I’m out) and just a hint of rosy blush. ( AKA no clown faces)
So there you go! Now go vamp it up!
Oh, and I think it’s funny that the original queen of red lips Gwen Stefani is now doing the opposite of everyone else. Love her.
BLONDES
REDHEADS
