As the nights draw in, one make-up trend that never dates during this season is dark lips. They were every where on the autumn/winter fashion shows, and flick through any glossy magazine and you’ll find a fair few too.
If you’re thinking that you can’t wear a darker lip then stop there – there are always variations to suit all of us. (I actually need to take some of my own advice here!!) A berry stain or a gloss with a hint of colour could look amazing on you, and be just the thing to update your look. I used Absolution’s Rouge Bordeaux on the beautiful Thais Martins for this shoot for Rollercoaster magazine shot by Maximilian Hetherington. I literally just pressed it on with my finger so it was a stain, rather than a perfect shape. This is a really easy, understated way to wear colour.
Of course if you want that perfect shape than go for it – this can be a really great simple, yet very striking look. Darker colours can look make things look smaller, as can matt formulations; so if you’re looking for a bigger pout choose something with a gloss or a sheen. Sometimes just a dab of clear gloss in the middle of your lips can be enough to plump them up.
If you do want that perfect shape than a liner can really help, it can also help with the longevity of your lipstick.
I also like to use my pencil at the very end too, to just tweak and perfect the shape.
Some of my favourite colours at the moment are the Absolution as above – they have a lot of pigment so will give you a strong bold look. They can of course be mixed into a balm or a gloss to make them softer. Burt’s Bees also have some great autumnal colours – Russet River is probably my favourite, worn here by the beautiful Emily Unkles, shot by Sarah Cresswell.
I also love Ilia’s Femme Fatale and also Lust For Life which is nice and sheer to ease you into darker tones.. I haven’t got any of the RMS Beauty lipsticks in my kit yet (I know, way behind!!) but Russian Roulette looks fab.. Another brand I’m trying at the moment are Ainsel and they’ve got some fab colours and lovely textures..
When you’re trying colours, always try them on your lips; the colour will look completely different on your hands, although of the pads of your finger tips can give a good indication. Make sure that the lipstick is still brightening your complexion. Berry tones and rich reds tend to be easier to wear than browns as these can dull the face.
Are you trying a darker lip? What are your favourites?
