Hollywood, MD – Lipstick has come a long way since Cleopatra used crushed red carmine beetles to create her signature red lip. There is now a multitude of color options. Pink, red, orange or even purple shades litter the lipstick market.
Consumers can choose between matte, satin, liquid or sheer products. The beauty industry never seems to stop coming up with new and innovative products for women to smear all over their mouths.
In honor of National Lipstick Day, I challenge you to step outside of your lipstick comfort zone. Instead of wearing your average nude lip, wear something daring and memorable.
Do you need a little inspiration? Check out some of this year’s most unusual lipstick trends.
Greige Lips
Greige lips are a different take on the classic nude lip. Greige lipstick appears like a mix of beige and grey, and the makeup industry has created so many variations of the shade that you can easily find your perfect color. Some greige lipsticks appear more beige or greyer, while others look like the perfect, neutral balance of both. If you’re looking for a more grey shade, the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Matte Lip Tar in “Sebastian” is described as a “plum-toned taupe” and definitely requires a lip liner if you don’t want to look dead. Maybelline’s “Gone Greige” is warmer than “Sebastian” and provides much more of a natural nude look.
Blue Lips
The blue lip trend may sound crazy but, if done correctly, can be really fun, pretty and quite wearable. To achieve this trend, it isn’t necessary to wear a sky blue lip like the lipstick included in the Kiley Jenner lip kit “Skylie.” A deep navy lipstick is just as fun but can look just as wearable as a dark red or plum shade. If you’re afraid of looking like you’re dying of hypothermia, a deep purple lipstick with blue undertones can help you achieve the trend’s look without looking frostbitten. The ColourPop Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick in “So Wavy” is a great blue purple to try for this trend.
Metallic Lips
From copper to gold and rose gold, the metallic trend is all over the home ware, fashion and makeup industries. The metallic lip trend can be as wearable or as crazy as you’d like. Metallic reds and pinks look similar to glossy lips but provide a fun twist, while copper and pewter lips look unusual and rebellious. The new Urban Decay Vice lipsticks have over a dozen “Metallized” shades in pinks, reds and even a green. If you’re looking for something more affordable, NYX Cosmetics has just released their Cosmic Metals Lip Creams. The line features eleven different shades of metallic liquid lipstick, including bronze, silver and blue shades.
Glitter Lips
Glitter lips are probably not the best look to wear to the office or to a job interview, but they can look really glamorous for a night-out or special occasion. You’re probably thinking that putting glitter on your lips would give you the sensation of smearing sand all over your mouth, but with a decent product it can be quite comfortable. If you’re a Sephora lover, the Ciaté Lip & Mix Lip Pigments come in beautiful shades of berry, red and pink. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Tattoo Junkee Pucker Up Lip Paint & Glitter sets can be found at most Wal-Marts and come in a multitude of colors.
Lip Art
This is easily the least wearable lipstick trend of the bunch, but it can also be the most beautiful. Instagram pictures and YouTube videos of women creating beautiful landscapes and portraits on their lips have been going viral. So, to celebrate National Lipstick Day, why not try creating your own lipstick mural? Take inspiration from the internet and paint Disney characters and galaxies on your pout. Or put your own spin on it and paint a favorite landscape or book cover. Even the most artistically challenged person can use liquid lipstick to paint polka dots and rainbow stripes for a fun and unique look.
No matter if you choose a bold red, a deep plum or a classic nude to celebrate National Lipstick Day, today is the day to appreciate the beauty that a tube of lipstick can provide.