Should lips be pale? Or is it ok to do a strong intense mouth with smokey eyes? That’s a question I often hear. Check out the latest trends with me. And also the classics that always work.
But first: one advice that never changes whatever the current trends are. Simply ask yourself: do I look good in it? With that prerogative in mind let’s look at our options.
Nude lipstick (or gloss, or both) is the famous classic with smokey eye makeup. It gives perfect balance to the face. The eyes play the main role while the mouth is just an accessory. But often this only works great in theory. In practice a completely nude mouth might not be a success: the overall effect could be pale and sickly. How to avoid this trap? Firstly, get your face makeup right. For that perfect glow click for my advice on looking amazing in smokey eye makeup Secondly, choose nude shades which have a bit of color: they are definitely more flattering. Follow Kate Moss here: her mouth is always delicate but with the lightest touch of pink which makes her look irresistible.
Since nude is such a strong look with smokey eyes, let’s elaborate on how to make it work for you. Victoria Beckham, a smokey eyes expert, is faithful to her trademark mouth: a peachy nude. She simply knows that you can get the sixties drama and effect, while still looking healthy, by adding a dash of peach to your nude lip color. Lately Charlize Theron went this way at Dior’s Fashion’s Night Out. She looked both sultry and healthy in her very black smokey eyes. The secret? Yes: a peachy nude lipstick.
For a very safe bet that is really easy: nothing beats a pink mouth. And I mean the soft version: shades of rose, mauve, baby pink. It creates a great contrast to smoky eyes. Adds just a hint of color. And goes with any color of smokey eyes. Diane Kruger usually finishes off her smoky eye makeup with soft pink. Her texture of choice is satin but gloss is a great option as well. A slightly stronger take on pink was seen recently on Natalie Portman. At Toronto International Film Festival she rocked a rather audacious combination of blue-hued smoky eyes and a glossy, intensely pink mouth. The result was flattering.
Until recently the universal advice was to complete smokey eyes with understated lips. But the trend has shifted: now the approach reminiscent of silent movies era is on. More and more we see a strong, even dark mouth with smokey eyes. Autumn and winter are perfect seasons to accomodate these slightly heavier looks.
The biggest trend this year is a plum mouth. And it’s cool to make it part of smoky eye makeup. It looks fabulous with charcoal smoky eyes: I saw this combination on Iman at the Met Gala where she looked like a vision from 1930’s. For an inspiration check out Lancome’s latest look “French Coquette”: Aaron De Mey created sizzling smoky eyes combined with a rich, plum mouth. A note: the lighter your skin is the lighter your lipstick application should be. On the other hand, warm-skinned women can apply lipstick boldly, without fear of looking over-made up.
Last but not least: what about red lipstick? Are we allowed to combine it with smokey eyes? Till recently it was considered a definite “no”. Yet currently the “sultry eyes/red mouth” combo is quite a fresh take on the smokey look. Just check out the fabulous ad by Yves Saint Laurent promoting their new line of lipstick Rouge Pur Couture. The model is wearing very bold black and grey smokey eyes and a contoured red mouth. As with a burgundy lip, a dash of gloss gives the red mouth a modern, younger twist.
This season you have two options. To complement your smokey eyes with a pale mouth. Or to pump it up even more with a dark, glossy mouth. Both looks are on-trend. It is up to you to choose the one that makes you look great.
For the perfect smoldering look get this ultimate free report about choosing the right color of smokey eyes . Get more of Ewa’s advice on looking amazing in smokey eye makeup .