Levres Rouges - Frontline

Levres Rouges - Frontline

City Chic

Erin Keane

Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Frontline

Media Credit: shesgottahaveitnyc.blogspot.com Whhat's the right shade of lips for this fall?

When winter rolls around one of the first things you'll notice from the fashion set is the transition from the sheer lip glosses and pink sticks of spring and summer to a darker, richer lip color for day or evening. This season red has returned to its neutral status, and we've traded black gloss (though we loved it, YSL) for a more wearable, yet still noir, purple lip.

For years and years I shirked my Cupid's bow lips, slicking them with a Lancome Juicy Tube once or twice a day regardless of the season, low maintenance was my M.O. I didn't want to have to worry about the constant upkeep of a serious lip color. Then one day, my friend Lisa, ever so chic, appeared in class with a red lip so glamorous, I instantly began having Hepburn like visions of myself rocking the penultimate neutral lip and nail color- RED!

Now, with a 1940's revival in full swing, the red lip has returned to claim its place as queen of the lip colors, in matte or gloss, day or evening a rouged up pucker looks fabulous with jeans and a t-shirt and is perfection with a little black dress.

Some of my favorite (tried and true) rouges are M.A.C's matte lipstick in Russian Red ($14) , Chanel's Coco Red ($28.50) is a slightly pinker, more moisturizing formula, and finally Revlon's Matte lipstick in Really Red ($7.99) will last on your lips forever.

Leaving behind the tough to wear black lips of last winter, fashionistas are opting for an easier purple pout for the approaching colder months. Ranging from close to black colors like M.A.C.'s satin finish lipstick in Cyber to blackberry stains lik Covergirl Outlast lipstain in Sassy Mauve ($7.49). Don't be afraid to sport this strong lip, if you nail the right hue for your coloring, a great purple will enhance the color of your eyes and make your skin appear more luminous. I always say, if you're nervous about trying a new look, just rock it for a day, chances are, most people will end up thinking you're more of a trendsetter than a goth girl.

Also, with wearing bold lip color comes a responsibility to maintain. Don't forget to go for a coordinating liner to keep your lips defined and the stick in place. Trish McEvoy's Essential Pencil in Model's Choice ($22) is my absolute favorite, it goes under everything beautifully and looks great on its own with a little gloss on top.

My mother always told me that a quick and inexpensive way to freshen up your look and your mood was to buy a new lipstick, and I pass that on to you. Defeat the dark days of winter depression and get your fashion fix by adding a little rouge to your daily beauty routine.