Lipstick Trends and Tips

The easiest way I've found to avoid the curse of middle age invisibility is to wear bright red or pink lipstick.

I've only recently started wearing lipstick in standout colours. For the last few years I stuck to nude shades with pink gloss, thinking it looked like Nigella. Also, my husband isn't keen on the lipstick look. But I look washed out in my fashion "shoots" if I don't wear it. What are the latest formulations and trends? Read on.
I've been eager to try different formulations and the two Yves St Laurent products in the photo are my latest acquisition. I always loved the taste and smell of YSL and I'm pleased to report, for lipsticks it's the same. The product in the silver tube is Volupté Tint-in-Oil in Cherry My Cherie. This looks like quite a lurid fuchsia pink but it's a very pale, delicate colour when applied, like the hint of a faded pink rose.

The lipstick is Rouge Pur Couture in shade 52, Rosy Coral. As you can see below, it's an unusual colour - a bright pinky orange.

Like a lot of women my age, I initially rejected matte lipsticks thinking they would be ageing. But the reverse is true. Glossy and moisturising formulations seem to spell out "middle aged," whereas a matte looks more contemporary. The liquid matte lipsticks are very easy to apply.  If you prepare your lips beforehand, the lipsticks last well and don't look dry. Below I'm wearing a matte formulation which brushes on as a liquid and then dries. It's great for shaping the lips, without using a lip pencil, and I'd been wearing it for about two hours when I took the picture. In the tube it's a frightening burgundy colour but it turned to a berry shade on me. Lipstick: Bourjois Rouge EditionVelvet in 08Grand Cru.

Preparation for wearing lipstick

Exfoliate the lips, which can be done with a warm flannel or a specific product: I use Bliss Fabulips sugar lip scrub. Then apply a lipstick primer. These are perfect for older women when you have "bar code lines" around your mouth and lipstick is liable to bleed over the edges of your lips.  My primer of choice is Guerlain Kiss Kiss Liplift.

I don't often bother with lip liner - a heavily lined lip is a very dated look I think - and I tend to apply straight from the bullet rather than faffing around with a lip brush. 

The new lipstick trends for Autumn/Fall 2017

According to Vogue UK, imperfect lips are just perfect for autumn/Fall. This is great if you're tired of smudging your lipstick and having to constantly reapply it.  Several of the autumn/winter 2017 shows saw imperfect-looking lips being painstakingly created backstage for just that effect. At Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Val Garland cited "just-snogged" lips as the inspiration for the smeared, messed-up pouts, whilst subtly worn-in colour and diffused edges were on show at Giambattista Valli, Temperley London, Monse and Topshop Unique.

Glamour tells us that the coolest look is experimenting with layering. New topcoats from Chanel and Lipstick Queen add depth and definition to your chosen colour. The daring should try Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss topcoat in Caviar, £26 or Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit Lipstick, £22, Space NK. 

How about  marble effect? Marble lipsticks create a gorgeous, rich wash of colour over the lips. Givenchy's stunning offering is the most perfect red hue with a stunning subtle sheeny finish. Givenchy Rouge Interdit, £25. 

New Products to Try

The new Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick is causing a stir as it gives a great ombre look in one go, ideal for Instagrammers. The lipstick has three shades to give you an ombre effect in one swipe, with a trio of tonal colours in a flattering semi-matt formula. Smashbox Be Legendary Triple Tone Lipstick, £17.50. Available at Smashbox.co.uk.

Another ombre effect lipstick is Benefit's They're Real Double The Lip in Flame Game, £16.50, Benefit.com

Charlotte Tilbury has a new matte liquid lipstick,  Hollywood Lips, in ten shades: £24 from charlottetilbury.com

Tom Ford has a new "lip contouring" product, a lipstick and liner. Tom Ford Lip Contour Duo, £39, Selfridges.

ON IS THIS MUTTON? THIS WEEK

Friday (1 Sept):  Mutton's Choice Cuts including the 20th anniversary of the death of the Princess of Wales 

Monday (4 September): 50ver50 Challenge: Amazing Lace 

Wednesday (6 September) The dazzling Sapphire: birthstone of the month for September

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