How to Perfect a Bold Statement Lip

Lovers of colour rejoice! The bold statement lip is making a comeback, seen on overseas runways and even right here in Sydney, for the MYER SS17 fashion show (for those wondering, the shade of choice was YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stain in Vinyl Rouge). Don’t get us wrong, we loved nude and natural lips having their time in the spotlight, but we are SO ready to dust off the dark berries, ravishing reds and bright corals.

So here’s what you need to know for pulling off the perfect pout this spring/summer...

#1 Precision is king

While applying colour to the lip area only has always been pretty standard, making sure your lips are lined precisely with sharp, defined edges is a must this season. “Red lips on a nude face used to be considered effortless… now, they’re painstakingly shaped, curved, layered and smoothed,” says M.A.C Artist Gordon Espinet.

myer s/s 17 lip

MYER S/S17

A tip from M.A.C Senior Artist Carol Mackie is to apply your lipstick first, starting from the centre and working your way out. Then you can follow afterwards with your lip liner, to clean up the edges perfectly and create sharp lines.

And while we know it’s not the most glamorous topic, keeping your lip area hair-free will also help keep the transition between lip and skin smooth. bh recommends: Marzena No More Facial Hair Treatment.

garethpugh-lip

Gareth Pugh

#2 Go super matte, or super shiny

No matter what shade you choose, the finish is what’s important this time round. Make-up artist Chantelle Baker says, “It’s definitely all about the matte lip – we’re reliving that 90s trend right now!” Dusty, matte finishes were seen on models at Mary Katrantzou in London and Zac Posen in New York.

But at the other end of the spectrum is extremely glossy (almost to the point of 3D) lips seen on the runway at Gareth Pugh and Sibling in London.

So whether you’re a matte or glossy fan, the key is to commit all the way.

RELATED: Mascara hacks to try – stat!

For extremely matte lips, make sure you exfoliate your lips beforehand so the texture doesn’t create cracks. bh recommends: CLINIQUE Sweet Pots - Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm and Mary Kay® Satin Lips® Shea Sugar Scrub.

And to step up the shine factor, try layering a lipstick and a gloss for a highly pigmented, almost jelly-like lip. bh recommends: M.A.C Clear Lipglass (so you can use it with any shade of lippy).

mary-katrantzuo

Mary Katrantzuo

#3 Keep skin simple

If you’re usually rocking a winged liner, fierce contour or bold brows, try restraining a tad and let your lip do all the work.

“I call it ‘minimal glam’ make-up,” says make-up artist Tom Pecheux. “Skin worked very simply: no brows, no eyes… the girls should look the way they are, just uniquely adorned with this very intense lip.”

Make sure your skin is in tip-top shape for summer, by starting to incorporate a face mask in your routine once a week. bh recommends: The Body Shop Amazonian Acai Energising Radiance Mask and Skin Republic Brightening Vitamin C Face Mask.

Do you like wearing a statement lip? What’s your favourite shade to wear?

86 Member Comments

Temporary Princess 15 Aug 2016 9:51 PM

I love that matte is in, particularly given that it's cold and windy at the moment - less hair sticking to my lips!

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Pixie96 15 Aug 2016 8:18 PM

I do like statement lips. It's great that matte is in. I agree that when wearing a bright lippy you should keep the rest of your makeup simple.

fortune favours the beautiful 15 Aug 2016 4:49 PM

I am loving the dark berry coloured lipsticks

Gilded 15 Aug 2016 3:49 PM

In the second pic the girl's cheek contour looks like side burns. Kind of icky tbh sorry.

I like that burgundy color the girl in wearing in the first pic tho. Gorg.

Becstar 15 Aug 2016 2:58 PM

Reds seems to help make a statement on my lips. I do normally wear different shades of nudes but the different lipstick colours I wear can really depend on the clothes I am wearing or what look I am trying to achieve that day or night.

duality 15 Aug 2016 2:57 PM

Love bright lips in winter! But on another note what is that thing on her face in pic 3? Looks painful!

Linda_Vesinger 15 Aug 2016 2:35 PM

I like wearing a statement lip at times. I tend to go a bright pink or deep red

IndieAna 15 Aug 2016 2:02 PM

I love bold lip colours. I usually reach for a matte finish

Mayy 15 Aug 2016 12:57 PM

I always go for a matte finish. I can't stand a glossy lipstick! Every time i go out, my hair gets in my face and sticks on my lips!

maggieball 15 Aug 2016 11:41 AM

I love these rich plum shades. I like the idea of using a liner after the lipstick - much more effective for older, dryer lips.

Jenniqua 15 Aug 2016 10:29 AM

I love any raisin shade, blue red, dark pinks and plums.

MelissaFay89 15 Aug 2016 10:22 AM

Red is about as statement as I go.

cosmoslyn 15 Aug 2016 10:11 AM

I am more of a matte person, because my lips are nice, but not that nice that I want to draw attention to them

clearcrystalwater 15 Aug 2016 10:09 AM

Oooh not for me - I've never been a fan of the Mulligrubs 'look' - the Mulligrubs show really put me off! (anyone who has children around the age of 15 will know what I'm talking about - otherwise if you really want to know what I'm talking about - google "Mulligrubs")

Trish_D 16 Aug 2016 3:37 AM

Mulligrubs really brings back memories, HuskyChub!

PandaBear18 15 Aug 2016 10:05 AM

I don't usually wear bright lipsticks but i've started wearing nude matte lipsticks to work and loving them

C.L.A.U. 15 Aug 2016 9:21 AM

I looove a good quality flashy lipstick, love the color and pop it gives your whole make up look. I don't use it every day though.

Hayley644 15 Aug 2016 8:10 AM

I don't wear bold lipstick colours but it's important to exfoliate and moisturise your lips if you do wear a darker colour. Looks like some of the models in the photos needed to do this. Especially the first photo her lips look really dry so this colour isn't a good choice.

Chicklet 14 Aug 2016 9:58 PM

A subtle lip suits me better, so I prefer gloss.

Sparkle 77 14 Aug 2016 9:51 PM

I probably should but I don't do red lips. I'm past my clubbing days when I had to have my Revlon Red lippy. Give me bright coral, bright pink but not red and it has to be glossy.

Ellelily 14 Aug 2016 8:45 PM

I dont wear lipstick unless i go out formal.

Heidi Purrs 14 Aug 2016 7:10 PM

I like it natural... or deep red!! And I agree it's best to keep the skin and other makeup etc simple though, so as not to look overdone or destroy the look.

Claire88 14 Aug 2016 6:53 PM

I just can't get used to the dry, tight feeling a matte lipstick leaves on my lips. Maybe I just haven't found the right brand yet, I much prefer a creamy hydrating lippie.

thelifeoflaura 14 Aug 2016 6:49 PM

I love a good lipstick but I find it so hard to get it precise and i'm so picky about it

Trish_D 14 Aug 2016 6:19 PM

I'm definitely showing my age but statement lips are anything but appealing to me. If that's your scene, fine, but it most certainly isn't mine.

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