The Dos and Don'ts of Dark Lipstick
As winter approaches and I start to dig out my wardrobe of thick, dark sweaters and black accessories, I start to switch up my makeup look as well. To compliment my warmer, if not more somber, winter wardrobe, I’ve come to gravitate towards the power of dark lipstick. After admiring the look at music festivals all summer, I wondered how dark lips could be worn outside of festie season. With a little bit of experimentation, a few successes (and a lot of failures,) I have discovered how to rock dark lips outside of attending a three day concert. While it may be a little scary to take the risk and test the waters of bold makeup, I promise it’s worth it. Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts of dark lipstick I’ve put together to guide you.
DON’T wear brightly colored clothing. Trust me, that turquoise sweater or neon-colored ‘80s windbreaker just won’t fit the aesthetic of dark lips. You don’t want to look like you’re having a fashion identity crisis. Instead you want to look like that bad-ass, confident chick everyone wishes they could be.
DO wear dark lips with neutral colored or jewel-toned clothing. Think blacks, whites, and camel/tan shades paired alongside ox-blood sweaters or a deep forest green scarf. The lipstick is supposed to be the centerpiece of your look, so let it speak without the overpowering voice of another statement piece.
DON’T wear heavy eye makeup when rocking dark lips. Dark eyes and dark lips can easily land you in the category of Bratz doll goth (which is fine if that’s the look you are going for). Dark eyes and lips are something I would reserve for a zombie/vampire Halloween costume.
DO keep it simple with the face makeup. To keep your look chic and refined, apply a thin line of black liquid liner and a quick swipe of mascara. If you’re feeling bold, contour your cheekbones to look even more fierce!
DON’T wear dark lipstick to a Sunday brunch or really during the daytime in general. Let’s just say daylight isn’t your best friend. Applying dark lipstick is bad enough without having the sun highlight all of the little smudges and imperfections. Plus, don’t you want to save your bad-girl dark lips for the night?
DO wear dark lipstick during the evenings, especially for concerts. This is the best time to experiment with your look and take some risks. Always think about the occasion you’re attending before swiping on some sultry black lipstick shade. Will other people in attendance be taking fashion risks? Do you want to make a statement?
Overall though, the key to pulling off black lipstick, like any other risky fashion trend, is to wear it with confidence. Own it and I promise you’ll look fabulous.