May 16, 2012

Beauty Trend Spotting: The Dark Lip

The dark, vampy lip was out in full force at the Met Costume Institute Gala in New York City last week.

Dark, rich, wine-stained lips were sported by Kate Bosworth, Jessica Alba , Lana del Rey and Camilla Belle proving that the goth-inspired, Rooney Mara effect is going to be hanging around a little while longer. But Pat McGrath, the make-up artist on ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ film, has toned down the severity for this season making it a bit more wearable. She sent statement lips down the runways at the YSL, Gucci and Nina Ricci Fall 2012 shows and explained the look as: “A little bit Dante Gabriel Rosetti…It’s all about the bleached eyebrows and slightly paled-out skin with a dark lip—it’s ethereal, but dark and strong.”

To achieve the perfect dark lip McGrath recommends layering lipliner and lipstick over concealer. Using a cover-up will erase your natural lip hue and create a blank canvas for the perfect stand-out lip. “Brush a light layer of concealer over lip balm, blending with your finger, then line and color in the lips with a lipliner,” says McGrath. “Next, apply your shade of choice, blot with tissue, dust with a light bit of translucent powder, and add a second layer of lipstick for superior, longwearing coverage.” For full-on glamour, McGrath suggests pumping up shine with a touch of clear gloss.

Flawless skin is the starting point for this bold look. Make Up For Ever HD Invisible cover foundation will provide a smooth, even canvas and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer should mask any dark spots or redness. Keep the cheeks bare and eyes simple. If you have fine brows and you’re feeling a bit edgy, give them little dust with some translucent powder, MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder should do the trick, the rest should follow Bosworth’s lead and go for a gorgeously groomed full brow.

After prepping lips, start colouring in. Plummy Clinique Quickliner for lips 07 is the perfect match for any dark,wine coloured lipstick but Lipstick Queen Silicone Invisible Liner is a fool-proof option for those with a problem staying inside the lines. Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Black Orchid, Lipstick Queen Sinner in Wine and 17 Lasting Fix Lipstick in New Black are all perfectly vampish shades. Finish off with a slick of DuWop Lip Venom 2nd Sin – a clear gloss that will not only add shine but also plumps the lips.

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation Sephora.com
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Sephora.com
MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder maccosmetics.com

Lipstick Queen Silicone Invisible Liner Spacenk.com
Plummy Clinique Quickliner for Lips 07 Sephora.com

Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Black Orchid Nordstrom.com
17 Lasting Fix Lipstick in New Black Boots.com
Lipstick Queen Sinner in Wine Spacenk.com

DuWop Lip Venom 2nd Sin Sephora.com

Will you be trying out this trend?

Credit: Style.com & Getty

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