Whether we first saw the power of a good lipstick on our fabulous mothers when we were young, or on Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe, we knew immediately that lip color pulls together a look…when done correctly, of course. True, we’ve probably passed our phase of Smacker’s lip balm and tubes of shiny cupcake flavored gloss, but the good news is, now we’re ready to explore the world of bold color.
The best lips colors I have seen this fall have been magenta, fuchsia, burgundy, and of course, red. Magenta and fuchsia work best with those occasional days you like to look fashionable for class, or maybe have lunch date. The perfect combination is neutral eye make-up, a hint of bubble gum pink blush, and a strong magenta lip stain. Pair with a silky off-white top, and you have a day look equal parts fun and feminine.
Night time is when you can really show off your lip color boldness. Although I have yet to try this myself, burgundy is a real staple this fall. It looks best with black eyeliner and mascara. For this darker look, I would suggest using a lip liner… you don’t want it to smudge a la Dracula.
Of course, one can never forgo the sophisticated look of a red lip. Go for a lighter red when out at a casual dinner or outing, but bring out the bold, bright red for a formal night.
For lip color in general it is important to wear it the right way to avoid looking like a six year old who found her mother’s make-up drawer. Be sure to exfoliate lips once a week (as simple as brushing a tooth brush on lips for one minute), and moisturize daily. I am an avid user of Neutrogena Norwegian formula lip balm, but even using simple Vaseline is sufficient. And most importantly, this fall, never be afraid to go bold!
*Article by Sarah Chin