Sparkles and Shoes

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A Plum Perfect Pout

| Beauty, celebrity, makeup, NARS, Urban Decay

I am in love with a plum perfect pout. I have heard at least a dozen names for this deep purple shade; Film noir lips, goth lips, flapper lips, raisin lips, ‘90s lips, but I like plum, in encompasses the whole array of options from dark purple/pinks to dark wine-brown shades.  Every fall plum lips are smeared all over the lips of the rich, glamorous and famous right.

Yes, the color is intense, but it stands out in the fall transition to deep reds. It’s also easier to pull off than you might think, since our lips usually have some natural purple tones. The key to making this look more glamorous than goth is the high-gloss finish.

I am not saying you necessarily should try the goth lip but if you want to keep reading for a step by step!  However, and this is a big however, if your lips are thin or have tons of creases you really should avoid this shade because it has been proven that dark lip colors only serve to further accentuate thin or aged lips (source).  Sorry, but I want you to look your best!

1.  Pick the Right Shade 
In order to achieve success with this look you really have to choose a shade of plum that works wear with your skin tone. Fair skinned with pink undertones?  You are going to want a berry-plum shade like the Lancôme Rouge in Fiery Attitude.  Fair skinned with cool undertones?  Pull a Kate Bosworth and go with the NARS Lipstick in Volga, the shade she wore to the Met Gala in May. If your natural skin tone is tanner and you do not burn take a page out of Camille Belle’s book and choose a deep-plum with a brick tone like CK One lipstick in Smooch. 
2. Don’t Skip the Liner 
This is not a five second or even fifty second type of lipstick.  The best way to go is outlining and then filling in a the lips first with an eyeliner that matches exactly or a nude lip liner, I love Urban Decay’s 24/7 Lip Liner and I have heard rave reviews about MAC’s Spice. 
3. Blot and Paint
Again, this is not a quicky makeup choice.  They key to a flawless application is to blot and paint.  By paint I mean choose a lip brush to apply the color instead of directly from the tube, this will help to create a creamy, silky texture on your lips and prevent the color from getting dry and crusty.  Once you have painted, blot, and paint again.  And once you think you are done?  The time old trick –  put your index/pointer finger into your mouth then pull it out to get any excess color from ending up on your teeth! 
4. Keep the Rest Simple 
Take cue form the ladies below, when going for this dramatic of a lip color it is good do leave your eyes neutral and relatively bare but balancing with a bold brow is always key.  It helps balance your lips and with a great, uniformly powdered face and a mascara-ed (it wanted me to autocorrect that to massacred, um? no?) eyes you are good to go!  If you are still unsure take a look at Michelle Trachtenberg, Megan Fox, Camille Belle, and  Jennifer Lopez killing it. 
What do you think of plum lips? 
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  7. Michael says

    Lipstick makes me nervous too. I always feel over done. (I’m sure you’re thinking that’s not possible) It seems too much for a day at the office. I do love this shade though, so maybe I’ll give it a try. It s

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