Kiss & Makeup

When it comes to lips this season, the fall 2011 runways were a bit two-faced. While many designers such as Missoni, Gucci and Diane von Furstenberg lead the pack with bold bordeaux lips, others including Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney countered with contrasting pouts in shades of nude. Red lips also made an appearance on the runways at Jil Sander, Miu Miu and Ralph Lauren. Needless to say, the fashion frontrunner is definitely Missoni’s rich merlot, plum tinged lip.

While bold is beautiful, it is also intimidating. The best way to take your lips to the dark side is by keeping the rest of your makeup understated. I prefer bold lipstick for evening outings. Burgundy pouts are particularly ideal for girls’ nights. I can assure you, vampy red pouts are not exactly date friendly. Need I say total man-repeller? And no girl wants to see her man sporting a Missoni kisser either… Anyway, I love to wear a deep red lip with winged eyeliner. It’s a classic look that’s perfectly glamorous and appropriate for nighttime.

To get the “it lip” of the season, try the lipstick Missoni models donned during the fall runway show: MAC lipstick in Media. And voila—rich, sultry, fashion-forward lips are yours in a snap.