Wearing bold lipstick can be daunting if you’re a lip balm advocate but a statement lip is something I think all gals should have in their makeup Arsenal. It can completely change your look, take your makeup from day to night and serve as a distraction for when you have suitcase-size bags under your eyes!
Here are a few tips I’ve picked up from beauty insiders on how to rock a bold lip if you’re a product newbie…
Ease into it
Just like with most things, if you’re a beginner, you’re definitely better off starting slow, so if nude lips are your thing, opt for a slightly deeper, plum or raspberry tone. It’s not bold but is a step out of your comfort zone that will ease you into rocking braver shades in no time!
Know your tone
When picking out a statement lipstick it’s important to know your skin’s undertone to make sure you pick the most flattering colour. Ladies with a redder or pink (cool) undertone should opt for shades with a blue or purple tones and ladies with yellow, orangey (warm) undertone stick goes for warmer shades. Matching your undertone will ensure your skin is enhanced and glowing (and your teeth look whiter – result!).
Figure the formula
finding the right bold lip for you is half finding the right colour and half finding the right formula. Matte or glossy? Here are the pros and cons…
Matte – a matte finish is ideal if you are after longevity. If you’re off to an event where you’ll be eating it’s perfect, as it’ll stay put all night. However, a matte lip requires prep as it’ll cling to any flaky patches you have on your lips and the formulas tend to be drying by nature. Also the lack of reflection means that it can make lips look flat if you have a naturally smaller pout.
Glossy/creamy – Glossier bold lips make more of a statement. The formula is better if you have drier lips as the tend to be more hydrating (I love M.A.C cremesheen formula and Revlon lip butters). However glossy lip products aren’t great when it comes to staying power and if you’re planning on eating you’ll find you’ll have to re-apply. And do we even have to mention the whole lipgloss + wind + hair thing?
Lip liner is your friend.
The best thing you could possibly ever do when investing in a bold lippy, is to pick up a matching lip liner too. It’s a great addition to any formula you choose. It creates a neater, more professional look with matte lips and for a creamier formula it’ll delay the inevitable and keep the product from “bleeding” (seeping off your lips to your surrounding face – nice). Be sure to fill in your whole lip with the liner so when your lipstick wears off you won’t be left with a ’90s style line but a pretty lip tint so if you can’t touch up asap you still look gorgeous!
Be confident!
Because you rock! And so many people wouldn’t have the confidence to pull off something so bold, so good for you! Confidence is the most crucial thing when it comes to a statement lip so make sure you own it when you step out the house!
