If you’re going to have at least one makeup product in your handbag this fall, it should be a bold lipstick. From matte to high-gloss finishes and oxblood red to deep purple shades, there’s a must-have lip for every woman.

Follow the easy steps below to achieve a perfect bold lip this Autumn.

1.Exfoliate & Moisturize: Use a good lip exfoliator or a dry toothbrush to gently buff the skin of your lips, removing any dry skin. Follow up immediately with a moisturizing lip balm. Before applying lip colour, blot your lips with a tissue to remove any excess product.

2.Applying a Lipliner: For a matte lip look, using a lipliner in the same shade as your lipstick is key. With short, light strokes, outline your lips, then the entire lip surface. This step ensures that your look will last longer and prevents your lipstick from bleeding.

3.Lipstick: Using a brush, apply your lip colour carefully and a little at a time until both lips are covered in a thin layer of colour.

4.Blot: Separate a piece of tissue into two layers. Pressing one layer gently onto your lips will help to set the colour and remove any excess.

5.2 Lipstick: Apply a second layer of lipstick as you did the first.

6.Blot: Use the second piece of separated tissue and press it onto your lips. You’re done!

Colours
Red lipstick is classic, but can be too strong a look for daytime. Think in shades of burgundy or plum and save the red for special occasions like holiday parties.

Tips and Tricks

• If you make a mistake, use a Q-tip to smudge it out. If necessary, the smudge can be covered with a bit of concealer or foundation and powder on a clean lip brush.

• You should exfoliate and moisturize your lips as part of your nightly routine year round, but especially in the dry, cold winter months when skin becomes dehydrated. That way, no matter what you’re wearing on them, your lips will stay soft and moisturized.

• If you exfoliate and moisturize your lips before you start your make-up routine and do your lips last, the moisturizer will have time to absorb. Just remember to blot before you apply your lip colour!

• For a softer look, you may choose a sheer lipstick and apply it with your finger or directly from the tube. Just remember to apply carefully – you could end up looking like a clown otherwise! And remember to blot for a more natural effect.

Keep the rest of your make-up simple. For a classically retro look, use liquid eyeliner and mascara on your upper lids and fill out your brows. For a modern look, smudge eyeliner or powder in navy, burgundy or plum along your upper lash line, then apply mascara and a highlighter along the brow and cheekbone.

Here are a few important do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind for this bold lipstick trend.

Buy trendy colors like plums or deep reds in the smallest quantities possible, so you have enough for one season only. You don’t need old lip colors filling your draws. If you’re on a tight budget, invest in the classics: a true red without blue or orange undertones, a nude and a light pink lipstick will always see you through.

DARK DO’S

1) Always apply base and powder to your lips before you put on dark lipstick. The base will ensure your lipstick stays on for longer and the powder will make sure the base doesn’t come off.

2) Use a brush. This way you’ll ensure the lipstick fills in any crevices not covered by the base and powder.

3) Always blot with a dry tissue as it will absorb the oil in the lipstick. Just remember, the better the lipstick, the less oil it contains.

4) Opt for moist lipsticks. They look better than matte lipsticks.

5) Use lip liner for darker lips; it creates a plumper effect. If you choose to use a liner, apply it on top of the base and powder. You can use a nude pencil, or one that is a shade lighter than the lipstick you’re wearing because you don’t want it to be visible.

DARK DON’TS

1) Avoid applying gloss over dark lips – the color will bleed and run over the lip line.

2) Stay away from dark eyeliner and eye shadow; you don’t want to look like a teen goth. Either the eyes or the lips must be the focus of attention, not both.

3) Never use brown lipstick. If you think brown is your color, choose copper instead. Dark brown drains your skin color and makes you look aged.

WHEN TO GO DARK.
If you’re heading out for the night, add a little glitter to your dark lips. In terms of color, red is always good if you want to appear outgoing and attract attention but if your party frock is pink, stay clear from red lipstick. The number one tip: make sure your makeup matches your clothing.

For evening drinks, pink and copper are good as long as they match your clothes. You can’t go wrong with neutral eyeshadow shades.

Don’t use dark lipstick when you’re at work, and avoid dark lips at all costs during the day. When it comes to work colors, it’s good to keep it neutral. We recommend using nudes and light pinks. Who says you can’t be glam with minimal makeup?

RECOMMENDED LIP COLOURS:
{gallery}articlegalleries/recommendedlips{/gallery}