This post may contain affiliate links which may give us a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Have you always dreamed about wearing a truly bold lip color but are just too afraid to try? Â You think you wouldn’t know how to apply it, or what color to choose. Â I understand. Â I was there. Â Until this last year, when I started to try to experiment with bolder colors. I fell in love, and trust me, there is no turning back.
How To Wear Lipstick With Bold Colors
I have come across a few tips that I would love to share with you. Let’s make a statement, ladies!! Let’s be fabulous!! And hopefully you can start wearing bold lips too!
Choose your color wisely
Wearing bold lip colors will draw attention to your beautiful lips. Wearing the wrong color is not the right kind of attention you want. Here some tips when choosing a red:
- Fair skin – Blue based
- Dark complexion – Orange based, deep reds
- Medium complexion – Anything goes!
Still not sure? Go to a makeup counter at Macy’s or Sephora and ask them to match the color best for you. Wear it around for the afternoon and see how you like it. Once you know you love it, and you will, buy it! Make sure you wear it out in public at least 5 times to give it a true chance!
When in doubt, pick a true, classic red – it flatters everyone!
I also want to encourage you to try other forms of a bold lip. For example, my current favorite is a hot pink by MAC. It is definitely bold, but a nice alternative to red.
Start with clean, smooth lips.
As I am sure you have guessed, if your skin is cracking or chapped, it might not be the best time to try a bold lip. Â Slightly exfoliate before applying.
Apply with nude liner.
Using a red liner risks the color not matching and the color potentially bleeding onto your skin. Remember the whole bad attention thing? Ya, that would be it.
Be precise!
This is not a job for the review mirror! Â Take your time in your mirror at home and apply neatly. Apply the lipstick to the center of your lip and then use a lip brush to smooth out to the nude liner. Then make sure you have the products you need to reapply later in the evening if needed.
Make sure everything is… clean
You know the upper lip. Sometimes we just need to handle business up there. Just a quick wax, bleach or Nair (whichever works for you) to take care of it. You don’t want attention drawn to your beautiful lips only to be drawn up a little bit to of a… well… a hairy situation.
Keep the rest simple
The rest of your makeup should be very simple. I would suggest not wearing them with a bold, smokey eye. Unless you are Gwen Stefani, you want to make your lips the star of the show! Some matte foundation, good concealer, and a natural eye with liner just on the top lid would be perfect.
Confidence!!
This should be number 1. If you walk around like you own it and you’ve been wearing it all your life, guess what, people will think so! No one will know it took you an hour to apply and the reason you’re in the bathroom every 7 minutes is to check if it’s smeared. Own it, rock it, know you look hot and IÂ guarantee, you will.
I have put together a little video on applying bold lip colors. I kept it short for all you busy ladies, so take a look!
About the Author: Natalia
Natalia is a wife, mother of two boys, and expat currently living in France. A couple years after leaving the corporate world to be a wife and a mom — and follow her basketball-playing husband — she realized her communications degree wasn’t always used to the fullest potential while talking with a 4-year-old and 1-year-old. She started her blog Ma Nouvelle Mode as a way to maintain (or rekindle) her femininity and creativity while living with her three men overseas. She enjoys writing about all things beautiful, including, but most certainly not limited to, hair tutorials, makeup looks, and outfit ideas all while trying to master the French language!
- 10 Steps To Writing A Book And Getting It Published - Jan 3, 2020
- Shop Smarter: Thrifting And Decluttering Strategy - Jan 2, 2020
- Create Your Dream Closet With These 20 Easy Tips - Dec 29, 2019
- Cucumber and Hummus Bites - Dec 29, 2019
- How To Revive Your Blog After A Break - Jan 10, 2019
- Photography Tips From A Pro Blogger - Apr 9, 2018
- How to Write More Blog Posts, Easily, in Less Time - Feb 19, 2018
- Zucchini Banana Bread - Jan 11, 2018
- Building Your Author Platform - Jan 10, 2018
- 7 Thrifty Sewing Storage Ideas - Jan 5, 2018
- How To Handle Criticism As A Creative - Jan 4, 2018
- Maple Bourbon Apple Pie Recipe - Dec 23, 2017
- 4 Things That Could Be Killing Your Creativity - Nov 13, 2017
- Get Ready To Write Every Day – These Four Tips Will Help - Nov 6, 2017
- Creating Quality Instagram Content - Oct 30, 2017
Usually I don’t bother replying to a blog article or making any comments, but in this case I felt the need to say ‘well done’!
[…] How to Wear Bold Lips […]
[…] This post was originally posted over at The SITS Girls, but I thought I would share it with you all as well! Â Hope you enjoy! […]
Thanks for the tips. I keep seeing a girl at church wearing orange on her lips, and wondered how to pull it off. Great advice here!
I love it and so does my hubby when I do my lips red…Just hard to keep off my teeth though sometimes. 😉
Thanks for the Kustom Kissers lip balm love! Melissa and I are saving our pennies for plane tickets to France 🙂
I’m all about the red lipstick too! It’s a sure fire way to energize myself everyday!
I completely agree on the confidence statement. Have you ever seen somebody who looks as tacky as they can be yet they are filled with confidence? You may not think they look good but they do and really that’s all that matters!
I love bold colored lips and don’t get me to talking about adding shimmer!
I forgot to say, you wear those bold colors smashingly =)
I am SO bad about wearing lipstick – like I really just don’t… but I want to! I am super low maintenance, though, and often hate how lipstick feels so I most always use chapstick first, lol. but more than that, I tend to just go for lip glosses. I am kinda curious about the lip stains, though… I hope to figure something out before we leave for Costa Rica!
I LOVE a red lip…hot pink is my fave in the summer. Everyone who knows me that I’m all about a red lip for nights out. I find it hard to wear during the day a la Gwen Stefani style though. I’d love to get more wear out of it. Great tips! I always suggest newbies go to a department store too. If you try it yourself it can be frustrating then you’ll give up on it altogether.
So true! I rock the red during the day. I feel like most of it is attitude. Since you are obviously a veteran, you could do the same! Own it!
Thanks for the tips. I never thought to try chapstick first then add lipstick. I love lipstick! As my friend says “I’m a lisptick whore!!”
haha that’s great! It adds so much, doesn’t it? And you can get creative with the colors. Thanks for your comment!
I like the idea of bold lips, but I think If I wore bright red, my juju lips would take over my face!
{In the meantime, as I contemplate the possibility of scaring small children with my giant lips… I hope you’ll all come by and link up you Christmas posts on my brand spankin’ new Christmas linky}
If Angelina Jolie can do it, you can do it!! I will be checking out your linky party! Thanks for the invite!
I am so bad at this stuff even at my age so – THANK YOU!!! 🙂
I’m buying the Very Cherry next time I’m out!
I am so glad you liked it! Let me know how the color turns out for you!
Great tips! 🙂 Any secrets for making the color last?
You could try a sheer matte powder in between coats to try to make it last longer. Just pat it on over the color, not too much and then apply the next coat. And try long lasting colors. I have heard Ruby Woo by MAC is really great and 24 hour by Maybelline is great too.
I hate lipstick. It always feels so blegh and sticky!! Don’t know how people put up with it sometimes. No offense to anyone else, but I refuse to wear it.
You could try different kinds, like a lip stain. When i wear it sometimes i forget it’s even on! But to each their own!
I always forget to exfoliate, and later in the day find my lips peeling. Must exfoliate first!
Nice job!!! 😀
I have done that too, which is why I had to make sure to mention it!
What a fantastic tip! This can be used by everyone. I love lipstick, but rarely use it, but my mom sent me some great colors this month that I’m now excited to try out! Thanks!!!
I am so glad you liked it! Give those colors a try, I bet you’ll be smitten!
I love how your music choice is in perfect time with your video. You’re so lucky to be living in France. someday I hope to do the same thing.
xo
Well, at age 53, I finally know how to put on lipstick!! I absolutely LOVE the nude lip liner trick; SO critical for us older gals… Super!
I am glad you liked it! Thanks for your comment!
I have to agree, a bold lip is fabulous! I am obsessed with 40’s and 50’s fashion so I wear the subtle cat-eye with a red lip almost everyday. I feel sassy and my best with my red lips on. I use a primer to help the color not to bleed for me.
Love it! That is my favorite look right now too, bold lips with black liner on top, sometimes a subtle cat eye, it is so fun and different! thanks for your comment!
I love a bold lip color but rarely wear lipstick. I wear a bold lip stain though for fancy occasions.
I think lip stains work really well too. And you don’t have to worry about it smearing. Just make sure it’s on right! 🙂
I have finally just been experimenting with lipstick! I am really starting to love more bold colors!
Aren’t they fun! I am the same way and am completely hooked!
How fun! Thanks for sharing!
I wish, I wish, I wish I could were bold colours!!!!!
Oh you most certainly can! I was just checking out your blog and of course you can!! Baby steps, buy some, try it on, wear it around the house, and then try it out and about. You have to at least try!
I have fair skin, and really want to wear a bolder lipstick, but wasn’t sure how to go about it. Thanks for the tips!
I am so glad you liked them! I think you should definitely give it a try. Thanks for your comment!
I have stopped wearing lipstick. I need to start it again.
I actually have just started and am loving it. It adds so much. And perfect to spice up your holiday outfit!
Love bold lipstick colors. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! Aren’t they so much fun! Little effort and it adds so much! Thanks for your comment!
beautiful color
Thank you! It is from ColorSensational by Maybelline and the color is called “Very Cherry”