How to: Wear Deeper Lip Colours

Global senior artist Carol Mackie shares her top tips

Plum, berry, wine…deeper lip colours have the ability to instantly transform your beauty look and are perfectly at home during the cooler weather, particularly when paired with a chunky knit and a flawless, luminous complexion.

We turned to Carol Mackie, global senior artist, for her expert-approved tips on how to nail your deeper lip application, what makeup you should pair it with and some of her go-to shades to suit every skin tone.

FIND YOUR PERFECT SHADE

For fair skin tones: Try Lustre Lipstick in Plumful, Satin Lipstick in Captive and Amplified Lipstick in Craving
For medium/olive skin tones: Try Satin Lipstick in Amorous, Tinted Lipglass in Lovechild or Frost Lipstick in Plum Dandy
For deeper skin tones: Try Cremesheen Lipstick in Party Line, Frost Lipstick in Odyssey, Love Me Lipstick in La Femme

PREP YOUR POUT

“The application process [for plum Lipstick] slightly differs to that of regular lipstick application,” explains Mackie. As with any lip colour, prepping the lips by exfoliating, conditioning and priming is crucial; try our Lip Scrubtious, Lip Conditioner and Prep + Prime Lip to ensure that your lip are smooth and hydrated. Next, “buff a little foundation or concealer around and over the lip edge to neutralise your natural lip colour; make sure you use minimal product so that it’s barely visible.” What this will do is to help neutralise any redness or discolouration of the skin around the lips to ensure that your Lipstick takes centre stage.
 
When it comes to lining your lips, for fair skin try a slightly deeper shade than your Lipstick to balance your lip shape or to add fullness, whereas for deeper skin tones, use a Lip Pencil in a similar tone to your Lipstick. Perfect it by using the 316 Synthetic Lip Brush to apply your Lipstick, which will help to give you a precise and crisp finish.

TRY IT AS A STAIN

If you’re a little intimidated by bold or deeper lip colours, a stain is a great option, explains Mackie. “Apply your chosen Lipstick shade all over your lips then use a tissue to blot your lips. You can then soften the finish by swirling the colour onto the lips with a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush like the 217 Blending Brush. A deep lip can also look a little softer if the liner isn’t too sharp or perfected, adds Mackie. “Simply apply the Lip Pencil to add definition, then soften the edge of the lip with a smaller brush such as a 219 Eye Shadow Pencil Brush. Tap on a little Lipstick to the centre of the lips and blend out with a soft brush to create a blurred-like finish.

KEEP THE REST OF YOUR MAKEUP SIMPLE

When thinking about the rest of your make up to compliment a deep lip colour, consider pulling back slightly on eyes and brows. “Think radiant skin and let the lip speaks for itself,” explains Mackie. Depending on your skin type, consider a natural-looking foundation; try Studio Face & Body Foundation with a touch of concealer where required, she adds. Skip the eyeshadow and instead, curl your lashes and add mascara. To finish, softly define brows so they have shape but are not too harsh; Mackie recommends using the Shape and Shade Brow Tint. “Lightly fill the brow with sponge tip end, then add extra hairs with the fine brush end,” she says.

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