Synonymous with a classic autumn/winter palette, it's hard to miss the dark shades of lipstick flooding in to match the red carpet during the winter season. The deep bordeaux and rich plum shades add instant glamour to any outift, with super-luxe, velvet textures. But as much as we are besotted with the bitten-berry look, carrying off such bold colours can be slightly daunting. There's no need to fret any longer: we've been given a lesson or two on pulling off the very best of party plum pouts by some of our favourite celebs, including Cheryl Cole, Emma Stone, Kate Bosworth, and Emma Watson.
The depth and darkness of this colour can make lips look thinner, which isn't helpful if you weren't blessed with the fullest of lips, or if they have lost plumpness with age. But this can be overcome by using products with a satin or shine finish, attracting light to the lip area and creating a fuller-looking finish.And never dismiss the benefits of a good base. Use a brush to apply light layers of foundation for optimum coverage and eliminate any red areas around the lips and nose with liquid concealer. Not only will this bring a fresh, dewy glow to your winter look, it will also prevent any colouring in the skin from clashing with the purple pigments in your lip products, making sure your pout really pops with colour.In terms of lipstick there are a lot of choices to choose from, so it’s important to choose the right shade for your skin tone in order to get the most out of the colour.
A stain or tinted balm works perfectly on paler skin tones. Try creating the darkest stain at the centre of the lips and fading outwards for a matte finish which isn't too heavy. Sophisticated and pretty, this wearable finish can even be worn during the day, giving off a quintessentially English Jane Austen look. For those with an olive or darker colouring, go bold with a high-shine, high pigment gloss. Deep wine shades in bordeux or undertones of vibrant red will add sophisticated glamour to any evening event.Begin by applying lipstick with a finger, pushing the pigment around your lips to create a deep stain that will make sure your make-up stays put for hours. Layer the product for a more enhanced effect and use a matching lip pencil to perfect your lip line.When you are happy with the colour of your lips, finish off with a light-toned eye palette in gentle taupes, greys or glittering golds. These will complement your festive pout, balancing the colouring of your look.
