Don't get us wrong, we love a classic red lipstick as much as the next beauty buff, but there's something enticing about going a bit darker and sporting a burgundy lip. This shade of deep red is an easy way to quickly level up the drama, making even the simplest of makeup looks appear red carpet ready.
While it's generally a good idea to match a lipstick's undertone with your skin's undertone, makeup artist Lennie Billy says she likes to take a different approach when it comes to this rich shade. "I like to play opposites," she says. "For example, if you are of a warmer skin tone, then going with a cooler undertone will compliment the skin and will generally look beautiful." That being said, makeup is ultimately about personal expression and you should always feel empowered to use whatever variation of the shade makes you feel your best.
When applying a bold lip color like burgundy, there are a few pointers you may want to keep in mind for precise, long-lasting application. Below are a few tips from Billy on how to apply it — plus a few celeb-approved ways to wear it.
Meet the Expert
Lennie Billy is a makeup artist whose work has been featured in publications such as Vogue US, L’Officiel Lituania, ESPN Magazine, and TIME Magazine. See more of her beauty looks on her Instagram @makeupbylennie.
How to apply burgundy lipstick like a pro:
1. Prep and prime the lips.
While Billy doesn't typically use any lip primers on her clients, she says, "I do like to prep mine and my clients' lips very well by lip scrubbing and moisturizing so that the look is even and the lips look gorgeous."
For a gentle exfoliating treatment, try a lip scrub like the CHARLOTTE TILBURY Magic Lip Scrub to subtly slough away dead skin while infusing the lips with hydrating oils and butters. Once that is wiped, off, lock in that hydration using a fast-absorbing lip balm like the CAUDALIE Lip Conditioner to moisturize without adding a slippery, greasy texture to the lips.
2. Apply a longwear lip liner.
"When applying a dark lip I love to use a lip liner to map the shape of the lip first and to do any corrections or overdraw," says Billy. "This also helps me with being precise with it."
Looking for pointers on how to use this makeup essential? Check out our tutorial on how to apply lip liner.
3. Use a lip brush for precise application.
With your lips prepped and lined, it's time to apply your burgundy lipstick. Billy says, "My favorite way [to apply] is to use a brush to fill in the lips, this definitely aides me in not messing up."
To follow Billy's lead, try using a lipstick brush like the NARS Precision Lip Brush. To use, swipe the brush across the slanted top of the lipstick (where you would typically apply it directly to the lip). With product now loaded onto the brush, use gentle small strokes to distribute the pigment. Just like lip liner, start by outlining your lips with the brush. Then, apply lipstick to your bottom lip, from the center of your pout, outward. Finally, repeat this step on the top lip.
4. Blot and pucker.
Lightly press a tissue or a blotting paper against your lips to remove any excess product. This will also help to press the pigment into your lips for longer wear. Finally, take one clean finger and place the tip inside your mouth, wrapping the lips around it. Then pull the finger out of the mouth. You may see a bit of lipstick on your finger from the inner part of your lips. Removing this will help make sure you don't end up with lipstick on your pearly whites.
5. Fix up any mistakes.
While a lip liner and a lip brush will definitely help to create a crisp lip line, you can make that definition even sharper by applying a touch of concealer around the lip line. To do with, add just a little bit of concealer to a concealer brush and apply it right on the outside line of your lipstick to smooth the edges and prevent and bleeding. And voila! All set.
Burgundy Lip Looks We Love:
With the application mastered, it's time to find fun ways to incorporate this shade into different makeup looks. As a makeup artist who likes to keep her beauty looks well-balanced, Billy says when sporting a dark lip, "I try to keep it simple with the skin and eyeshadow, using soft eyeshadow colors like a light brown smoky eye or a beautiful soft shimmer on the whole lid." However, her all-time favorite way to complement a burgundy lipstick: with sharp, black cat-eye eyeliner. "It's very vampy and sexy," she says. Looking for a little more visual inspo? Here are five burgundy lip looks we're loving.
1. Monochromatic
Feeling like amping up the drama? Try pairing a dark burgundy lip with a burgundy eyeshadow to create a statement-making yet cohesive monochromatic makeup look. Priyanka Chopra masters the beauty trend here with a berry-toned burgundy lip and a red wine-inspired eyeshadow shade that illuminates her deep brown eyes. To replicate this look at home, try using NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Endangered Red in combination with NARS Powerchrome Loose Eye Pigment in Hammered.
2. Minimal Chic
If you're someone who doesn't typically wear a full face of makeup, let your burgundy lip fully serve as the center of attention by keeping the rest of your makeup look super minimal. Here, Olivia Munn does just that by pairing her super dark lip with a touch of blush, a defined brow, and some lengthening mascara.
Loving the brown-based burgundy shade she's wearing? Try the KVD Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira. With high color payoff and an ultra-long wear time, this matte lip color will stay looking fab through multiple meals and make-outs.
3. Touch of Shimmer
Another way to keep a vampy lip balanced: pair it with an illuminating eyeshadow. While the ultra-dark, burgundy lip will create drama, a champagne-hued eyeshadow like the IBY BEAUTY Lush Eyeshadow in Balance will brighten up the eye area without making the overall look appear overdone. Want to open up the eyes even more? Try using a pair of minimal false lashes to seal the deal — or create a similar effect using the THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara.
4. Glitter Galore
While most dark lipstick shades are matte lipsticks, that's certainly not your only option. Supermodel Naomi Campbell takes a decidedly different approach to the vampy dark red lipstick trend here by going full glitter. For an extreme glitter effect, Campbell used the PAT MCGRATH Lip Kit in BLOOD 1 V2, but for something a little easier to apply, you might try layering a matte lipstick like the LIME CRIME Wicked Matte Lipstick underneath a glitter-packed gloss like the PAT MCGRATH Opulust Gloss in Venomistress. While the gloss may need to be reapplied occasionally, the longwear matte lip will stay looking sharp.
5. Smoke and Gloss
At the 2016 Met Gala, Hailee Steinfeld put two unique spins on the burgundy lipstick trend by opting for a glossy shade over a matte lipstick and pairing the dark lip with a glittery smoky eye. These two statement-making beauty looks come together beautifully to create dramatic makeup that doesn't feel too heavy or dark. Loving Hailee's dark, glossy lips? Try using HAUS LABORATORIES Le Riot Lip Gloss in Scream. The high-shine gel gloss features a bold punch of color and just the right amount of shimmer.
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