The Dark Lip And How To Make It Work

6:00 AM

I made a pit stop at Sephora last weekend to purchase this supposed manicure miracle, and ended up with a few extra goodies in my basket. Perhaps it's because I was feeling moody (code word for major PMS), but I tossed this super dramatic deep plum lipstick in 'Crush 23' into the basket. I was thinking it would be a fun way to change up my tried-and-true red and hot pink for fall. I tried it on at home, and was slightly mortified at the reflection staring back at me. I was going for a carefree '90s Drew Barrymore look, but instead got Morticia Addams. I blame it on the fact that I was already rocking a smoky eye and my extremely pale skin, thanks to the fact that I sit in a nearly windowless office for an absurd amount of time each day.

After a quick search on Pinterest, I made a few mental notes on how to, as Tim Gunn would say, make it work.
Case # 1: A natural eye is the way to go. A barely-there liner and mascara with curled lashes is more than enough to keep everything looking balanced. I can do a natural eye...+1. That brings me to my next pointer.

Case #2: Eyebrows are important. Groom them, pencil them in, do whatever you have to do to define them. Don't let them fade away into oblivion unless you want to be mistaken for a goth alien creature from the faraway land where models must come from. +1 point because I happen to have not one, but two, brow fillers. Let the painting commence.

Case #3: Dark lips happen to look amazing with dark skin. Crap. -1 point. You'd never guess I live in a climate with nearly year-round sunshine.

Case #4: But it can look good on fair-skinned blondes! +1 point for me.

Case #5: More like blondes (and brunettes) with bright blue eyes. -1 point for my dark hazel peepers.

So, while the odds aren't exactly stacked in my favor (a measley +1), I went for it anyways and I'm now rocking a super dark bordeaux lip. I'm pretty ok with it, though John kinda hates it. He requested "a lipstick color like the color I was born with." Baby steps. He'll get there...or be covered in dark plum kiss marks.

Oh, and a tip I picked up by sloppily applying my tinted moisturizer today? Pop some concealer on your lips so the color reads truer.

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17 comments

  1. mommasezNovember 21, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    ....ahhh...please advise John that you were born with bright pink lips...people always stopped and asked if my baby had lipstick on.

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    Replies
    1. Kirsten @ Triple Max TonsNovember 21, 2013 at 10:13 PM

      Ha, I remember the Primacks doing "lipstick checks" on my way to school. ;)

      Delete
  2. Jesse CoulterNovember 21, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    I love it! Men....

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  3. by BUNNovember 21, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    I LOVE the idea of a dark lip...but never knew what to do w/ the rest of my face (so thank you for the examples!). I'm so lame when it comes to makeup...it's sad. It's also funny you mentioned that John didn't like it, as my husband HATES lipstick in general. I'll have to sneak on some dark plum when he's not looking! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kirsten @ Triple Max TonsNovember 21, 2013 at 10:14 PM

      Just go for it! I mean, he married you so you are kind of stuck with each other for as long as you both shall live....come hell, high water or plum lipstick. ;)

      Delete
  4. Jaime @ laviejaimeNovember 21, 2013 at 7:48 PM

    i love it- i am inspired! Need to google for red/auburn hair and fair skin...could be Cullen + ginger gone bad. ha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kirsten @ Triple Max TonsNovember 21, 2013 at 10:23 PM

      Oooh, that is a tough....when in doubt, ask yourself, "What would Julianne Moore or Jessica Chastain do?". Found this gem for ya so you can MAKE IT WORK! ;) http://www.beautyofdawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/jessica-chastain6.jpg

      Delete
  5. STYLE'NNovember 21, 2013 at 8:22 PM

    LOVE this post! And your lip color is gorgeous. xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. jmpdesignsNovember 22, 2013 at 8:21 PM

    I don't claim to be a makeup pro, but when I want to wear an dark lip color, I like to go a little hipster with it and wear a pair of nerd glasses (or, in my case, real glasses) :o) Like what you were pointing out with the eyebrow, the glasses help balance the overall look. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ALLIE NYCNovember 24, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    I know the burgundy trend is so fun. But I do not wear it b/c I do not like my teeth and stick to glosses. But looks great on you. Cute blog I am your newest follower.

    Allie of ALLIE NYC
    allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just Another ShopaholicNovember 25, 2013 at 8:23 PM

    Fab post girl and that lip color is amazing:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. KateNovember 25, 2013 at 11:42 PM

    I love Tim Gunn. I also love deep, rich lip colors like this.

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  10. shoegirlNovember 26, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    I love this! I pretty much fail on all those fronts, so I might just have to stick to my basic reds. Bummer. You rock it beautifully, though!

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  11. ančé ʚϊɞNovember 26, 2013 at 5:45 PM

    A couple of years ago I wanted a bright red lipstick, so I bought it from Nivea by Chantal Thomass, the interesting thing I learned from her is that for bright occasions the bright red lipstick is well suited, however, for evening occasions, the plumb version of the same lipstick is supposed to give the same effect. So I have both and depending on the lighting at whatever venue I am heading to, I chose bright red or dark plumb. -Loves your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousOctober 2, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    i think you look stunning!!!thank you for the eyebrow and eyes tips!

    ReplyDelete

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