Cherry to Watermelon Lip Ombre

Just like everything else ombre, the lip ombre look is totally in for the season. Just like ombre hair, ombre lips change a look while adding a fun, unique touch. However, unlike ombre hair, lips are simple to create and obviously temporary. So if you’re trying to make ombre moves, the lip ombre is a really easy place to start.

Here’s how to achieve the look:

1. Start off by lining your lips with any lip liner – just to give a template for where the rest of the colors will go. The color will not show up much so it does not need to perfectly match any of the following lipsticks used.
2. Apply a red lipstick to your upper lip (possibly using a lip brush to get inside of the lip lines). Follow this step by applying a bright watermelon shade to the bottom lip. (Image 1)
3. Apply a red gloss to your upper lip and a bright pink gloss to the bottom lip. The glosses will make the blending of the two colors much easier, while the lipsticks applied before will serve more as a base. (Image 2)
4. Lightly blend your upper and lower lips by tapping them together once to exchange some of each color. This will also make the blending process easier and make it appear more natural.
5. Apply a glittery, light-reflecting pink shade in the center of your bottom lip to give the true ombre touch. Continue blending the colors together until you have the desired gradient, keeping the glittery pink shade centered on the lower lip. (Image 3)
6. Once you have a natural blending between the red and pink shades you are good to go! Work with the colors for a while and feel free to reapply any glosses that may have lost their true color in the blending process.

A little bit of advice regarding the application of the rest of your makeup: keep it simple! Make the lips pop by keeping the rest of the colors used in your makeup application muted and simple. This will ensure that your lip is not only the center of your look, but that your overall look is not too overwhelming.

Have fun experimenting!

Hot Pink Lips for the Olive Skinned Girl

Olive skinned girls have no problem pulling off the hot pink lip look as long as the pinks are warm-toned. This is important because warm tones will work with the olive skin color. A good way to check to see that you are purchasing a good pink is to swatch it on your arm. A good pink will compliment the tones of your skin, rather than clash against them.

Colors, left to right: MAC Impassioned, Jane Glam, Maybelline Pink Peony, Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

In case you are unsure how to judge what clashes and what compliments, I swatched four hot pink colors that will work for any olive skinned girl. The hot pink lip is the perfect option when you are on-the-go during the summer. It works in the same way that a red lip does in the winter months – a sophisticated look that works best with simple makeup, since the lips are such a powerful element to the look.  (more…)

Get The Perfect Pink Pout – For Dark Complexions

One myth when it comes to women of color, especially dark skinned women, is that we can’t rock pink lips. Over the past few years, many stars such as Nicki Minaj, have shown us that we can pull off the perfect pink pout. However, when choosing the right shade of pink, be cautious: stay away from light pale pinks because they do not compliment the inner hue of your skin tone. Instead, opt for deeper pinks, in shades of fuchsia, mauve, and magenta. Paired with a cute cat eye and lots of mascara, you’ll look like just hopped off the red carpet!  (more…)