Hell Yeah, Goth Lipstick.

Coming from the fact that I think I’m a make-up junkie, it’s probably no surprise to announce that I love the stuff. Make-up isn’t just a bit of mascara or a lip balm here for me – it’s a way to change a whole entire appearance.

For example, let’s be honest, I don’t look so great first thing in the morning (does anyone?), unless of course frizzy hair and the ‘beauty’ of naked eyelashes  or un-made-up morning skin is your kind of thing, that is. Regardless, I’m just not ‘me’ until the trademark smoky eye has been painted on.

But what about lipstick and the like? I usually don’t wear any, unless it’s reasonably natural looking – panda-style eyes and bright pink lipstick to go to English Literature is not going to be a winner, I assure you. Yet the a/w 2010 trend of bitten-berry lips, deep rouges and dark purples was – as fashion is meant to be – enticing. I absolutely loved Topshop’s ‘heavy duty’ make-up collection – filled with enough deep lipsticks and dark eyes to keep any budding gothic princess happy. So. I gave in. My mother physically screamed – screamed – when I walked into the kitchen with so-purple-it’s-almost-black lips. A pretty weird yet comical reaction, I assure you. But I like it. With more subdued eye make-up, you can pull off even the darkest of colours.

Even Emma Waston’s had a go at the gothic lip, whilst keeping entirely her usual feminine self at the same time:

So, how is it done?

#1 Pick a colour.

Whether like Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 or YSL Fall 2008 , any colour from plum-tinted red to a brave black will suit. It depends how brave you’re feeling.

#2 Get educated & apply.

I’ll let you in on a secret: I actually can’t apply lipstick to save my life. It just goes smudgy,  blotchy and a proper lipstick brush is a few more pennies than I’m willing to pay, (“brushes, HAH! Meet my clumsy index finger…”). Not to mention that with all the make-up brushes in the world, I may still end up with clown lips. Learn a proper technique…or at least wish you could:

#3 Then…

Keep the rest of your make-up plain and simple. A dark lip as a statement is chic. A dark lip with blusher and bright eyeshadow and fake lashes and eyeliner and sparkly gems is overkill.

Don’t forget that the darker lip colours, just like eye shadows, are the hardest to upkeep. Keep your lipstick and a mirror with you when out and about for touch ups.

And bear in mind here that the lip is the MAIN FEATURE. Keep your outfit choice relatively simple with neutral colours; choose a black dress instead of a bright pink one, a white t-shirt instead of an orange one. Just keep thinking STATEMENT –  isn’t that what fashion is all about?

I was planning to post a picture of my ‘goth lip’…but if my mother’s reaction is anything to go by, I’ll save you the horror.

Loveee,

Rachel xxx

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