Vampy Lips

I don’t like obeying fashion rules.
“You can’t wear white after Labor Day.”
“Floral prints are strictly for summer.”
Who cares? I’m gonna wear that white floral scarf in January if I please. Our outfits should be dictated by our own personal sense of style, not by some abstract rule.

There is, however, one fashion law that I enjoying following: come fall, it’s time to bust out the vampy lips.

I think that a dark lip is the perfect accessory. It is chic, bold, and it makes you look confident, even on days when you’re initially not feeling so hot. Plus, it goes with literally anything, from a band t-shirt to your trusty little black dress.

Here’s how to rock the perfect vampy lip.

How to:

1. Exfoliate
Dark lipsticks are super cute, but they’re not very forgiving. If your lips are chapped and/or peeling, it’ll show. That’s why lip scrubs come in super handy, especially during the cold season. Use a lip scrub every night and/or morning to ensure you have smooth lips at all times.

2. Moisturize
Bold lipsticks require a very precise application, and once they’re on, you don’t want them to move around. That’s why a lot of them are lip stains. There are two sides to the medal here; they won’t budge during the day, but they can also be extremely drying. That’s why it is crucial to apply lip balm before the pigment. It’ll make the application that much smoother, and it’ll protect your lips at the same time. Make sure you use a good, nourishing lip balm, too. I like to use the eos orbs because they are rich and really penetrate your lips.

3. Apply a preliminary coat
Apply a first layer of lipstick. This one doesn’t have to be perfect since it is just a base. It’s like the base coat of a manicure; you just want something for the subsequent coats to grab onto.

4. Bloat
Pinch a tissue between your lips to remove any excess oil that would cause the pigment to move around. DO NOT move the tissue around or rub it on your lips. Fold the tissue, pinch it once or twice, and then move on.

5. Re-apply lip color
Once you have a good base, apply a secondary layer of color. This one, you want to get perfect. Take your time, especially around the edges.

6. Clean up
Check your work, because with a color that bold, one tiny mistake can ruin the look. Make sure the color didn’t spill anywhere, that you don’t have any on your teeth, and that it is evenly applied. You can also make it look cleaner and sharper by applying concealer on the outside of your lips, closely following the edges.

7. Carry your lipstick with you for eventual touch-ups.
No matter what it says on the package, you will probably end up having to touch-up your bold lip, especially if you’re wearing it all day long. Make sure to take your lipstick with you to re-apply whenever necessary.

Now that we got the basics down, here are a few colors that I particularly enjoy rocking during fall and winter.

•  Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink in “Voyager”
  

This lipstick is probably the darkest shade that I’ll ever wear. It is a lovely mix between maroon and dark red. I can’t help feeling badass when I’m wearing it. But beware; this lipstick is almost like paint. It is very thick and once it’s on your lips, it’s not going anywhere. Also, like most matte finishes, it can be a bit drying, so don’t skip the exfoliating and moisturizing. Finally, it does not come off easily… including when you want to wash it off. I first use a makeup removing wipe, and then remove what’s left with a cleansing oil. The bright side of this is that you can eat, kiss, talk and drink without leaving a trail of lipstick marks behind.

• Annabelle lip liner in “245 Burgundy”

I love using lip liners as lipsticks. I simply fill in my lips completely a couple times. I like that lip liners have a natural matte finish and tend to be less messy than regular lipstick. Also, they are so easy to carry; you can tuck the crayon in your pocket and no one will know your secret. I like this specific lip liner because it is what I would call an “effortless red”. It is classic and timeless, without being too bright. I love wearing this shade with a t-shirt and some distressed jeans, along with some fall booties. Chic without even trying.

• Gosh Velvet Touch lip liner in “Cardinal Red”

This is by far my favorite. The product is really creamy, which makes the application so effortless (although easily messy), and once it’s on, it does not budge. The color is so beautiful, I want to re-apply it over and over again. And the best part? It is totally buildable, which means you can go for a laid-back red tint or a bold dark red.

• Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in “Black Cherry”
  

This is the first dark lipstick that I ever bought, and I still love it just as much as I did years ago. It is a gorgeous plum color and the finish is sensational. The product is creamy, rich and pigmented. This one is also buildable, which I always shamelessly take advantage of. This lipstick can take your look from day to night in one fell swoop. It definitely lives up to its reputation.

• Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in “Plum Perfect”
  

This is my favorite daytime dark lipstick. It starts as a beautiful plum color and fades out to a nice burgundy throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about touch-ups. It’s almost like getting two lipsticks in one, honestly. It is buildable, creamy, and what I like most about it is that it does not dry out your lips, no matter how many coats you apply. I find that it goes with almost anything, and is appropriate for any occasion.

This is after going over the swatches with a makeup removing wipe. You can tell that Maybelline "Voyager" and Gosh "Cardinal Red" are the two colors that have the strongest staying power.

Remember, with dark lipsticks, the most important thing is not which brand you’re using, or the way you apply them; it’s how they make you feel. Be bold, be confident. If you like a shade of lipstick, don’t be afraid to rock it. You are all beautiful.

Much love,
-TM-