On a bad day there is always lipstick. The only other thing you need if you’ve got a black dress and white pearls, is oxblood (which falls in the deep red- burgundy/wine colour spectrum) lipstick. It is time to move from dull reds, oranges and muted pinks to embrace this gorgeously dark shade of lip colour, perfect for chilly winters.
Hollywood celebs have always led the way with the biggest of the season’s trends and when it comes to oxblood lipstick, Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Charlize Theron, Taylor Swift, and Scarlet Johansen, among other A-listers, have worn it best.
If you thought you cannot carry off this shade, the good news is experts say despite the shade of your skin, you can totally rock this statement trend.
According to makeup professional Swarna Genomal, “The key to successfully pulling off this look is to balance your lips with the rest of your face and of course find the perfect shade of oxblood. If you have a cooler undertone, blue-based red/plum lip colours are bound to work best for you and if you have a warmer skin tone, it is safe to go with a brick/brown-red/pink version.”
It is important to play up only one feature and in this case, the lips. “So for women with long hair, I’d suggest tying it into a ponytail while keeping the cheeks and eyes bare. A berry shade of oxblood goes wonderfully well with this look. It’s also important to have a well-shaped full brow and fanned out lashes when wearing dark lipstick,” advises Nakshatra Kumar, a beautician.
For those who are apprehensive about flaunting this deep a shade, Swarna recommends “application of lipstick with the ring finger helps create a slightly understated look. Don’t forget to wear jet black mascara.”
One of the most common problems is having to touch up every couple of hours. “For extra staying power, and to keep your oxblood colour from bleeding, Nakshatra says: “You need a lip liner of the same shade as your lipstick, as well as a velvety concealer and some setting powder.”
Experts also suggest you give the lip gloss a miss and let the matte look do all the talking.
Another pointer to keep in mind when flaunting plumy lips is to wear clothes that enhance your look. Go for a palette that includes navy blue, dark green, black, deep purple, and red.
