As much as I appreciate neutral, classic, work-appropriate makeup, nothing gives me as big a confidence boost as a bold statement lip. In the cooler and darker months I'm all about rich berry tones and velvety reds, but when the temperatures are rising and the sun is shining I find myself reaching for fierce fuchsias and vibrant corals. If you're worried that a hot pink lipstick will take you into clown territory, relax. I promise it's much easier to rock than you might think! For me, wearing a statement lip is all about balance - keeping your other features looking flawless and polished, but not competing for attention. Today I'm going to introduce you to a few of my favorite lipsticks for summer, as well as the makeup look I like to sport whenever I wear them!
Before I get into the lip colors, let's talk about everything else I put on my face ahead of time. Since I want my lip color to be the focal point of my look, I try to keep all of my other features relatively neutral. Flawless skin, a soft flush of blush, and a killer cat eye are my favorite supporting features to my statement lip.
Lately I've been loving the L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, which gives you a really smooth, flawless finish without looking too cakey or heavy. A lot of times I find this provides me enough coverage that I don't need much concealer, but feel free to add this step if you need it. Next I'll add a soft wash of color to my cheeks. My favorite barely there blush is from the Tarte Pinup Girl Palette called Breathless, but a great substitute would be the shade Exposed.
For eyes and brows the gorgeous matte shades in the IT Cosmetics Limited Edition Naturally Pretty Celebration Palette are absolutely perfect in this look. If you aren't an owner of the LE palette, the original Naturally Pretty Palette would work equally well. First I start out by priming my eyes with a bit of my NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, then I'll apply a base layer all over the lid using the shade champagne, a light golden nude. Next, using a fluffy crease brush I'll gently build up a bit of color using the shade Wonderland, a cool taupe, through the crease to create a subtle shadow. Next I'll move right on to creating a perfect cat eye with my LORAC Front of the Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner pen. If you need a little guidance, this post on how to master liquid eyeliner might help you out! I went pretty thick with my liner this time around, but you can make it as bold or subdued as you'd like. Finally, I'll finish things off with a few coats of super volumizing mascara, like the Smashbox Full Exposure, which makes your lashes pop against your dramatically lined eyes.
For brows I used a bit of the shade hot cocoa on a stiff brush to fill in sparse areas and create more definition. Depending on the color of your brows some of the other shades in this palette (like toasty or spice) might work better for you. I also like to use a highlighting pencil, like the Sumita Brow Base pencil, to define the area under the arch of the brow and minimize the appearance of any baby hairs.
Now that your makeup is finished, it's time to move on to the good stuff! Prepping your lips prior to applying color is key. Bright lipstick will often cling to and accentuate dry patches, and that's definitely not the look we're going for. If you don't have an exfoliating scrub on hand, try gently scrubbing your lips with a toothbrush. Not only will it get the blood flowing and plump your lips up a little bit, but it'll also help to remove dead skin and get your lips feeling soft. Follow up with a hydrating balm too soothe and nourish.
To prevent feathering, bleeding, or fading, finish off your lip prep with lip liner. I personally recommend using a translucent shade, like the Make Up Forever Lip Line Perfector because it not only goes with everything, but you can also line just outside the edge of your lip for added staying power.
For a statement lip in the summertime, there are four shades that I've been loving. From purples to pinks, to coral and magenta, there's a little bit of something for everyone!
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| From Left to Right: HD Orchid, Palomino, Descanso, Shade 11 |
I never expected to become obsessed with an orange toned lipstick, but I seriously can't get enough of the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Iberico ($26). I think this vibrant twist on a classic red lip is so fun, and I think it works wonderfully with my yellow undertones. Unfortunately it looks like Iberico is a LE shade that was offered as part of a Christmas gift set. However the NARS Lipstick shade Heat Wave appears to be very similar. I also spotted the new Maybelline Lip Studio Color Blur pencils at CVS, and am wondering if the shade Orange Ya Glad would be a possible dupe. I will certainly let yo know once I put it to the test!
The deepest shade of the bunch, the Bite Beauty Luminous Créme Lipstick in Palomino ($24) would make an amazing transitional summer-into-fall shade. The formula of these lipsticks is also on point. Amazingly creamy and beautifully pigmented, they glide on with ease and last for hours.
There are lots of mixed reviews out there on the Revlon Ultra HD lipsticks, but I personally am a fan. The formula has a sort of gel-cream texture that glides on smoothly, and delivers buildable color. The Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in HD Orchid ($9.99) is a particularly fun shade for summertime. Purple lipstick can sometimes be tricky to pull off, but I find that this particular one has enough of a pink base to be wearable for the everyday.
Last but definitely not least is the gorgeous Japonesque Pro Performance Lipstick in Shade 11 ($20), a creamy coral. Japonesque is definitely a lesser known brand, but I've generally been pleased with the products I've tried from them so far. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the marbled details on their packaging is beautiful. This formula of this lipstick is very creamy and delivers a lot of shine without being shimmery or glittery.
And there you have it! I would love to hear about your favorite products or shades for creating a statement lip. Do you also have a favorite way to wear your makeup whenever you're wearing a bold lip color? What are your go-tos? And for all of you pinky-nude purists, what are your feelings on things like orange or purple lipsticks? Would you be willing to give them a try?
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