The Cool New Way to Wear Lipstick

The Cool New Way to Wear Lipstick

 By Carly Cardellino

Two-toned lipstick is making a bold appearance on the runways lately (seen left at Australian fashion week and then again at London fashion week). And NYC-based makeup artist Nick Barose isn't surprised.

Wearing different tones on the top and bottom lip is a fun way to play with colors. Plus, it's a good way to wear a dark lipstick since you also have some brightness mixed in; it just makes the deeper colors even more flattering.

For fall, the best way to rock this look is to choose hues within the same color family (for example, deep red and fuchsia). Then, swipe each formula on the back of your hand to see if the colors jibe. Barose compared it to putting an outfit together—there aren't really any rules, you just have to try them on to see if they match.

Once you've picked your two shades, choose which way you'd like to apply them (Warning: cool makeup tricks ahead):

1. Use the lighter color on your top lip, since it tends to be smaller than your bottom lip. This will create an optical illusion, making it appear fuller. Then, swipe the darker color on the bottom. Or...

2. Coat both lips with the darker color first, and then swipe the lighter, brighter color onto your fingertip, close your mouth, and press it onto the center of your lips. This is a great way to play with dimension, says Barose, since the lighter color in the middle also makes your lips appear larger.

A cool lipstick combo that has a dark color on one side and a lighter, complimentary shade on the other: NYC Color Cosmetics City Duet 2-in-1 Lipcolor, $2.70, drugstore.com.

Would you try this trend?
Photo: Getty Images

source credit:cosmopolitan.com