Photographs: Benjamin Madgwick
Makeup: Lynsey Alexander For Lancome
Beauty Direction: Joely Walker
Forget elaborate smoky eyes and fiddly oversized flicks. From sophisticated ombré and gilded metals to full-impact matte and high-shine gloss, this season, nothing says party time like an artfully bold lip. Bullets at the ready...
GLOSS OVER
Gloss made a triumphant comeback on the catwalks, from Gareth Pugh to Roberto Cavalli. The key to getting it right? ‘It’s all about building up the coverage in layers,’ says Lynsey Alexander, the makeup maestro behind the looks. ‘First, apply a lip primer, before filling in with a lip pencil to ensure there’s a full layer of colour when the gloss begins to break down.’ Finally, swipe on some high-shine gloss and you’re good to go.
DOUBLE UP
‘Keep ombré lips cool by using a different texture for each colour,’ says Lynsey, who chose two contrasting shades to ensure the colours popped. She used Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in Tapis Rouge, £25.50, as a base, then presssed a matte orange blush on the centre. ‘By using a powder pigment as your second tone, your lipstick will last even longer.’
HEAVY METAL
Think you can’t rock a metallic pout? Think again. ‘Opt for bronze-tinted metallics because they suit all skin tones, especially those with blue eyes,’ says Lynsey, who paired this golden lip with a wholly neutral face. ‘Use a bronzer to softly sculpt around the eyes and cheeks so lips are the focus.’
SOUL MATTE
The age-old epitome of confidence boosting makeup, red lipstick is a surefire way to look pulled together with minimum effort. ‘A matte formula works best as it minimizes the need to touch up,’ says Lynsey. As for tone, it depends on your own colouring; olive tones should look to orange reds while paler and darker skins will likely suit bluer undertones.
BERRY GOOD
Nothing delivers instant impact and nods to the after-hours quite like a rich, berry-toned lip. Well, until you amp it up even further with a high-gloss finish. ‘Gloss helps soften a deep, dark lipstick and makes it look glamorous rather than gothic,’ says Lynsey. ‘Keep the rest of the complexion light and fresh.’
GO GILDED
Fire up a molten metal mouth with a coating of glazed glitter. ‘Try dusting a super fine layer of glitter over the top of a smooth, comfortable base, such as L'Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in Bronzeite Absolu,’ advises Lynsey. ‘Finally, layer over a clear gloss to achieve the ultimate lacquered dazzling shine.’
THE LIP LIST
Makeup Artist Lynsey Alexander used Lancome's new L'Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipsticks in Tapis Rouge, Bronzite Absolu and Purple Temptation, £25.50 each.