Every woman has to have one. It's the secret weapon you keep stashed in your closet until the time is right. And then when that cocktail party or date night arises you bust your little hidden gem and sport all of the confidence of a Parisian super model (or at least that's what you're aiming for).
The little black dress.
It's one of if not the most classic wardrobe staple a woman can own. On general principle, I love dresses. In the summer especially I could wear a dress and sandals just about every day. But even for those of you who aren't as ridiculously girly as myself, being the owner of one stellar dress that makes you feel like a million bucks is truly a necessity.
Recently I made a bit of a splurge purchase at White House Black Market on a gorgeous black and white striped dress. It fit me like a glove, was on sale (and I had a coupon), and the only one in the entire store was in my size... the universe was definitely telling me something. Luckily with all of the wedding-related festivities I've been attending in the past month it has really come in handy!
Even with a kick-butt dress, your look really isn't complete without equally amazing makeup. In my mind there is no more perfect combination than the LBD and the ever timeless red lip, so I definitely felt it was the perfect time to also try out my Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple from my September Ipsy Glambag. My favorite pairings for red lipstick are flawless skin, well defined brows, and a killer cat eye. Here's how you can recreate this look yourself!
Create a super smooth and pore-free canvas to work on by applying Benefit's The Porefessional to clean skin. Cover up any imperfections, even out your skintone, and give yourself a dewy glow with Mary Kay Concealer and Marcelle Golden Glow BB Cream. For a subtle hint of color on your cheeks, use your fingers to pat on a little of Josie Maran's Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Honeymoon Honey. For beautifully defined brows, use IT Cosmetics Brow Power to fill in sparse areas, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel to keep everything in place. Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil can be applied under your arch and on your brow bone to really make your brows pop. To contrast such a bold lip, keep your eyes relatively minimal. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base will set the stage for a perfect winged cat eye using Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black. A few coats of Benefit's They're Real Mascara will give you voluminous lashes to finish things off. Last, but not least I always like to spritz my face with a little of Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray to ensure that nothing will budge for the rest of the day (or night).
When it comes to the main attraction, here are few tips for mastering the statement red lip.
1. Prep. A bold color is certainly going to draw attention to your lips, so make sure they are in tip top shape. Fend off chapped lips with an exfoliating scrub and moisturizing balm.
2. Prime. To extend the wear time of your lipstick and to prevent feathering or bleeding a lip primer works wonders. You may also consider both lining and filling in your lips with either a clear lip pencil or matching red.
3. Take your time. A lot of red lip products are not very forgiving, so give yourself time to apply them. A lip brush can be a godsend, even with products in a stick form if you need extra control.
The Little Red Lip is not something that I would necessarily rock every single day, but just like a Little Black Dress it makes a perfectly bold statement if utilized at just the right time. I dug through my makeup stash to share with you a few of my favorite red lip products.
With a semi-matte finish, this creamy lipstick was the first in my collection. It unfortunately isn't the most stay-put formula out there, but it's a beautiful option that won't break the bank.
This liquid lipstick dries to a matte finish, and can be applied super precisely with a lip brush. Has long lasting, gorgeous color.
Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple ($19.00)
A balm and stain hybrid, you can build your color from a sheer wash of red, to a bold cherry lip. Has a super matte finish, but can be a bit drying in feel. It also comes with its own handy built in brush, which makes on-the-go touch ups super easy.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso ($22.00)
This lip lacquer effectively paints your lips in a deep, sultry red color. It goes on very wet, but has a totally dry finish that won't transfer easily, even when eating and drinking.
This lip lacquer effectively paints your lips in a deep, sultry red color. It goes on very wet, but has a totally dry finish that won't transfer easily, even when eating and drinking.
Are you daring enough to rock the Little Red Lip? Post a comment and let me know! I'd also love to hear about your favorite red lip product suggestions or tips.
In the meantime, stay gorgeous!
Lauren
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