BEAUTY BAR: Lush Lips

With winter around the corner and summer greens finally fading to grays, it’s nearly inevitable to sit back into a winter beauty slump. Even in such a vibrant city like New Orleans, store windows are beginning to get stocked with navy knits, rust throws and black booties (which isn’t all so bad). These neutral tones act as a base layer that then craves a bold signature, and statement lips do just that: the bolder the better.

Whether it’s neon, matte or glossy to the max, a bold lip supplies proper excitement to any neutral look. As seen in 3.1 Phillip Lim’s fall 2015 ready-to-wear collection, an oxblood red lip color can easily be paired with a plaid felt jacket or knitwear, as shown on this Fashionista. These bright lips are bringing the fashion world back to the ‘90s, yet this season’s lip color is stepping outside of its normal hues and “abnormal” colors are bracing the runway. By pairing a bold color with minimal eye makeup, a well-balanced look is created while still allowing the lip color to grab other Fashionista’s attention. It’s an unconventional statement, yet there is great value in veering from typical stains. So embrace these abnormalities, be it your own brand of quirk or the lavender lipstick’s.

What’s on the BEAUTY BAR: To get this look, pair your favorite denim skirt with a wintery top and Vagabond booties for a funky, winter transition look. Then, apply a gentle smoky eye and a contrasting lip color. In order to achieve best results for long lasting color, first prep your lips with a primer or lip liner to prevent the color from bleeding around the edges. Next, use a twisting technique to apply an eye-catching lipstick and finish with a concealer to set the color. Be bold!

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