8 Tips for Rocking Dark Lipstick
Go ahead and swap your red lipstick for something a little tougher this holiday. (Photo: Henry Leutwyler)
Deep lipstick shades like burgundy, plum, and grape can look like the perfect combo of tough and chic — as long as you know what you’re doing. It’s easy to cross the line between femme fatale and gothic if you’re not careful about choosing the right shade and formula, and applying it correctly. “I always draw inspirations from the leading ladies of Film Noir,” says makeup artist Nick Barose, who isn’t afraid of swiping a dark hue on his celeb clients. “The looks were glamorous and the lips look dark, but it’s done in a feminine way.” Barose gave us his tips for wearing dark lipsticks (plus the shades he recently used on his clients) and proves it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Now, go ahead and swap your red lipstick for something a little tougher this holiday.
Keep skin luminous
“Dewy, fresh, luminous, and somewhat bare skin is what will keep the look wearable,” says Barose. Avoid a mask-like look but sticking with a sheer, liquid foundation formula. He recommends Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation ($62).
Avoid matte formulas
“When it comes to picking dark shades, avoid ones that are too matte and too opaque — they can turn goth in an instant,” says Barose. He says your dark formula should have a hint of sheen so keep that matte lipstick in your drawer until Halloween.
Krysten Ritter rocking a dark lip at her Jessica Jones premiere. (Photo: Getty)
For fair skin
On Jessica Jones star Krystin Ritter Barose used a shade with a hint of blue in it to avoid it looking too red against her skin. Get her look with Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick in Amethyst ($35), a dark grape color.
Actress Brie Larson looks sophisticated in this burgundy lipstick. (Photo: Getty)
For medium skin
If you have a medium skin tone like actress Brie Larson, try a creamy burgundy-plum shade. “It looks sophisticated and chic, almost like something I’d imagine a silent film star would wear,” says Barose, who used Armani Rouge D’Armani in 204 ($36).
Lupita Nyong’o shows how to do a dark lip right. (Photo: Getty)
For dark skin
Take a tip from Lupita Nyong’o’s playbook and opt for a dark shade that isn’t too brown or it will blend too much into the skin. Barose suggests Lancôme Color Design Lipstick in Bow & Arrow ($23).
Don’t overly define
Take it easy when it comes to lip liner and dark lipstick. Instead of making harsh, obvious lines, Barose say to use your line to gently define the shape. “You want clean edges but not severity,” he says. Of course, you can always start by filling in your entire lip with liner for extra staying power.
Use a lip brush
Intensity is key when you’re applying a dark shade, so Barose suggests applying directly from the tube to get a lot of pigment in just one coat. Next, clean up edges and even out color using a lip brush. “I swear by the Chanel Angled Lip Brush ($32). It really helps in creating precision and reaching difficult areas,” says Barose.
Add lashes and pretty blush
“A hint of pretty element, like flirty lashes and rosy tone cream blush, will soften the look and keep you from looking harsh,” he says. When it comes to falsies, we love the Blooming Lash Collection by Kiss (A$5) for a natural yet voluminous look, or grab lengthening mascara like Eyeko Eye Do Mascara ($28). For blush, try RMS Lip2Cheek in Modest ($36).
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