Looking at the Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 runway trend reports for Donna Karan and Luca Luca, it's clear dark, striking lips are back. We've already shown you how to
apply dark lipstick perfectly, so here are a few important do's and don'ts you should keep in mind throughout the new season.
Buy trendy colours like plums or deep reds in the smallest quantities possible, so you have enough for one season only, says makeup artist Leigh Richardson. You don't need old lip colours filling your draws. If you're on a tight budget, invest in the classics: a true red without blue or orange undertones, a nude and a light pink lipstick will always see you through.
DARK DO'S
• Always apply base and powder to your lips before you put on dark lipstick, says Richardson. The base will ensure your lipstick stays on for longer and the powder will make sure the base doesn't come off.
• Use a brush. This way, she says, you'll ensure the lipstick fills in any crevices not covered by the base and powder.
• Always blot with a dry tissue, she advises, as it will absorb the oil in the lipstick. 'Just remember, the better the lipstick, the less oil it contains,' she adds.
• Opt for moist lipsticks, says Johannesburg makeup artist Ana Pompa. 'They look better than matte lipsticks.'
• Use lip liner for darker lips; it creates a plumper effect, says Pompa. Richardson agrees and adds, 'If you choose to use a liner, apply it on top of the base and powder.' You can use a nude pencil, or one that is a shade lighter than the lipstick you're wearing because you don't want it to be visible.
DARK DON'TS
• Avoid applying gloss over dark lips – the colour will bleed and run over the lip line, says Pompa.
• Stay away from dark eyeliner and eye shadow; you don't want to look like a teen goth. Either the eyes or the lips must be the focus of attention, says Richardson, not both.
• Never use brown lipstick, says Pompa. 'If you think brown is your colour, choose copper instead.' Dark brown drains your skin colour and makes you look aged, she says.
WHEN TO GO DARK
If you're heading out for the night, add a little glitter to your dark lips, says Richardson. In terms of colour, red is always good if you want to appear outgoing and attract attention, she says, but if your party frock is pink, stay clear from red lipstick. Her number one tip: make sure your makeup matches your clothing.
For evening drinks, pink and copper are good as long as they match your clothes, say Richardson and Pompa. 'You can't go wrong with neutral shades.'
Don't use dark lipstick when you're at work, and avoid dark lips at all costs during the day, says Pompa. When it comes to work colours, it's good to keep it neutral, advises Richardson. She recommends using nudes and light pinks.