Red All Over: Lunar New Year Beauty
As with every festivity that requires an inordinate amount of people to see, there’s the inevitable urge to look your best – more so when it’s family. Chinese New Year is happening early this year, so it’s as good a chance as any to a) look the best in the room, and b) make good on that resolution to put more effort into your makeup. We’ve picked our favourites for the season, with a special focus on lips. Because if red is auspicious, a bold red lip’s gotta mean good fortune right?
The Wall Decoration: YSL Beauty Chinese New Year Collector Palette
If you, like me, delight in the excess of red and gold glitter that comes with this time of the year, you’ll love this compact for its tassels and textured gold case. It’s so kitschy and pretty it’s almost easy to forget what’s inside, which is a Blush Volupté in a flattering pink with a rose gold highlight.
The Lady in Red: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair (ANR for longtime fans) needs no introduction and no further words. It’s great, it works, and it’s now red.
The Symbol of Youth: SK-II Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence
What better symbol to put on the vaunted essence that’s been many women’s secret to youth than a phoenix? Everlasting, renewing life and all aside, the gorgeous phoenix is inspired by the Japanese art of suminagashi marbling. Think of it as good skin in a pretty bottle.
The Painted Lip: Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip in 400 Iconic Red
Tap the (slightly unusual but fast becoming popular) sponge tip applicator onto the lips in small downward motions and enjoy the benefits of a comfortable texture and incredible colour payoff.
The Hot Pick: Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope lipstick in Private Party
Though it wears rather pink, Private Party has a gorgeous undertone of burgundy that makes it greatly alluring.
The Easy Pick: Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Smile
Laura Mercier’s Spring 2017 collection, Joie de Vivre, features a great matte lipstick in a lively, coral-leaning red. The shade is aptly named Smile – what else is there to do?
The Gradient Lip: Dior Rouge Gradient in 755 Red
You’ve got a host of options with gradient lippies like this. Wear each colour individually; wear different colours on the upper and lower lip; wear a gradient with the darker colour outside; wear a gradient but vice versa. Or have fun with it: dab the colours on at random then blend for a unique shade. So when someone asks you what colour you’re wearing on your lips, you can say it was a custom blend.
