Happy National lipstick day! We’re now on round 3 of the Life & Style, In Touch and L.A. COLORS “Brush with Fame” competition. This week’s challenge is appropriately “Lip Service” and I’m tasked to kiss and tell my favorite lip trends. As some who likes to go bold or go home — literally, there’s a 99% chance you may never see me in a nude lip (If I could pull it off like Blake Lively or Kim K. then that would be a different story) — for starters a red lip makes your teeth look whiter, instantly makes me look 500% more awake and it completes an outfit like no other! So my #1 goes to the tried and true red lip. My red lip icons are Gwen Stefani and Dita Von Teese and I do need to give Taylor Swift some props as well! Whether you’re going for old hollywood, new hollywood, classic or edgy, there’s a red for everyone! And what can’t it be worn with? Go casual or glam a red lip ties and outfit together and shows us who’s boss! (It comes with confidence in every application — just make sure you’re wearing the red and the red isn’t wearing you!) And it’s seasonless, from a black tee to cocktail dress the same red (or a variation!) can be worn from day to night. And it’s a trend that if you know how to rock, will never go out of style — just take a cue from Gwen Stefani with all the ways (and hair dos) she styles it with!
Now if you’re one of those that can’t find the right shade the trick is practice, practice, practice (or rather, try, try, try). There are general rules like if you’re…
Fair skin – opt for pink reds to ones with blue undertones (cool reds) work for you! Coral reds as well.
Medium skintone – you’re golden in true reds as well as orangy-reds (warm reds) and fiery tones!
Darker complexions – raspberry reds to rich burgundy shades as well as cool reds.
Keep in mind there are exceptions and variations to all of these (like MAJOR ones), there’s probably a blue-red to orange-red for every person with the amount of reds on the market so sometimes your best bet is to find a celebrity that has similar coloring to you and see which shade they wear. Everything from your hair color, to your undertones as well as the finish of the lipstick (matte, shine or glossy) will play a role on if a shade will work on you. The good news is you just have to get it right once and forever more you’ll have a signature color. Also one of my biggest makeup tips is don’t throw out colors that are a little off. Instead try mixing them together to help you find the right color blend and then try to find something that matches the custom swatch shade you created.
I’m also a big Fuchsia fan, I think it’s a shade that brightens every complexion and is so feminine and pretty! And it’s perfect for summer! For those who can pull off the a purple-fuschia to true purple shade (Jillian Rose Reed and Kelly Osbourne we’re making it work at the Young Hollywood Awards a few nights ago) I give them major props! It’s not for me but I applaud anyone that goes for something unexpected and pulls it off as beautifully as these ladies below!
Since we’re talking lips and L.A. COLORS generously sent me an assortment of their Chunky Lip Pencils and Hydrating Lipsticks, I thought I’d swatch out some shades so no matter your lippie preference, there’s something for everyone! And their Chunky lipsticks are awesome! They feel like a balm on, completely weightless and pack a whole lot of color and are very true to shade. The Hydrating Lipsticks are great too (especially if you have dry lips!) — enriched with Vitamin E they go on smooth and gives off a really pretty sheen, but the pigment levels are inconsistent — some are sheer (with buildable color), others are full coverage so be sure to look at swatches when choosing the right one for you.
{My favorite Reds & Pinks (shades Top to Bottom): Deep Red Chunky Lip Pencil, Dark Cherry Hydrating Lipstick, Coral Chunky Lip Pencil}
{Chunky Lip Pencil Swatches: Creme Brulee, Rose, Coral, Lilac, Deep Red}
{Hydrating Lipstick Swatches, shades: Dark Cherry, Passion Flower, Vivid Pink, Sweet Pea, and Orange Love}
Happy National Lipstick Day!