It’s safe to say that having been all over the catwalks and worn by everyone from Rihanna to Kendall Jenner, that black lipstick is officially no longer just ‘a Goth thing’.
Ri Ri goes to the dark side
I wouldn’t say it’s the easiest colour to wear, plus you need an expert hand to get it right as every mistake shows. And the texture makes a big difference in both wearabilty and style. Too glossy and it’s more catwalk than club. Too dense and it dominates.
So when I came across Illamasqua’s Lipstick in ‘Pristine‘, I was impressed as this is a black lipstick for reality, rather than reality show.
It is not an intense pigment so you don’t need to be me (ha-ha) to apply it, and it’s not so glossy that it’s likely to smudge all over you- and everything/one you come into contact with.
This unusual lipstick’s sheerness means that once it’s actually on your lips and mixes with your natural pigment, it becomes the deepest of delicious berry-coloured.
The usual rules apply when using any unnatural colour on your face or hair; you have to ensure that dark under-eye circles are concealed and that blemishes have been covered. 
Blush on your cheeks is also essential. These 2 things are more important than if you’re wearing a natural look because a strong lip colour will accentuate any imperfections and slightly wash out your complexion. It’s also a little more chic to go easy on the eye make-up, keep it simple and monochromatic.
These ‘rules’ will ensure that dark lipstick stays on the beautiful side of theatrical.
Singer/songwriter Cosima was our daredevil make-up muse who rose to the challenge of pulling off black lipstick with aplomb! After covering and concealing using these steps, I used NARS blush in Fervor on the apples of Cosima’s smiling cheeks.
Cosima photographed by Lily Bertrand-Webb in Pristine Lipstick by Illamasqua. Earrings by WildSuga.com T-Shirt vintage Stussy
Cosima photographed by Lily Bertrand-Webb in Pristine Lipstick by Illamasqua.
OOh this is gorgeous Kay! and of course, drama queen that I am I’m imagining how either a kiss on someone’s cheek, or on a love note, will be even more intense with a black lip. ‘Like leaving a tattoo on someone x Thandie
