We know what you’re thinking: No one can wear metallic lipstick like Lupita Nyong’o.
The force was definitely with the Oscar-winning actress when she sported metallic blue lips at a Star Wars premiere back in 2015. Makeup artist Nick Barose custom blended the otherworldly shade, which made Nyong’o’s complexion even more radiant. Now it appears that lustrous lip colours are trending again, as brands like NYX, Smash box and MAC have unveiled new metallic lipsticks.
But how exactly do you pull it off and make the look your own? Well, for starters, you’re going to want to make sure that your lips are properly prepped.
Smith & Cult beauty ambassador Ashlee Glazer tells Yahoo Beauty that the key to a kissable pout is to exfoliate and hydrate before applying lip colour. She explains, “I always take care of the lip early on so the balm has time to soak in and not disrupt the lipstick when we apply it.”
Then you’re going to want to choose the right shade for your skin tone. For fair-to-light complexions, Glazer recommends metallic browns or purple colours. She suggests metallic corals, reds, and pinks for individuals with medium-to-olive skin tones. “Gold, bronze, metallic brown, or purple shades look best on dark skin tones,” says Glazer.
If you want to dabble with the metallic lipstick trend, Glazer believes you can’t go wrong with a metallic nude gloss such as Smith & Cult’s Shining Lip Lacquer in Flesh Riot, which looks good on all complexions.
As for the application, Glazer says to “start in the center, blend out, and use the applicator to redefine the shape of the lip.” She adds, “Most liquid lipsticks and glosses come with a doe foot applicator, and that gives you control to draw the perfect shape.”
