Holiday Beauty: The Vampy Lip


The vampy lip trend has been everywhere this fall/winter. And while I’ve loved it on others, it’s always been a little intimidating for me personally (it’s so dark, so bold!). Since this month is the perfect time to take a beauty risk and have some fun with make up, I called on my blogger girlfriend and MUA extraordinare, Erin, to put together a tutorial for this fun holiday ready face! If you want to try your hand at this surprisingly easy look (and find out some of Erin’s amazing pro-tips for general make up application), read on!

1. Primer, foundation and concealer – a close to flawless complexion is key for this look as a darker lip brings out redness in the skin. Prime, use a foundation if required, and hit any spots with a veil of concealer, blending as needed.

2. Define your brows – this is a dramatic look, and bold brows compliment the bold lip. We’re going for a very architectural look, so don’t be shy. We used powder for this to create a softer, more natural brow.
3. Define your eyes – I like a dramatic cat eye for this look, and a few layers of mascara. Add false single lashes for extra intensity (the strip lashes can look a bit showy for this refined look!).

4. Add some depth - Since this look works best with great bone structure, create the illusion of a more defined jawline and cheekbones by chiseling out those areas and the bridge of the nose with a darker powder.

5. Highlight – add light to the high points of the face with a lighter powder and a smaller eyeshadow brush. This is magic! To master this technique, check out this post Erin wrote about the entire process complete with a diagram!
6. Blend, blend, blend – if the powders look too dark, simply blend them out until no sharp lines are visible, and use a skin-toned powder to set and blend the entire complexion. This will intensify your flawless complexion to the max!

7. Blush – blush adds life to the face, but for this look, we only need a dab on the apples of the cheeks. When choosing your blush shade, always choose one with the same undertone as the lipstick you are wearing. This lipstick is a blue base, so the blush should be a blue base as well – think rose, and avoid peach.
8. Prep your lips - lips MUST be exfoliated prior to applying the lipstick – darker colors show texture and dryness like nothing else! Moisturize with lip conditioner (letting the moisture soak in as you do your makeup), removing the moisture with a tissue prior to your lip color application. Dab a thin veil of concealer on the lips to neutralize the natural lip color – this also gives the color something to adhere to, keeping it on for longer.

9. Line and fill – using a color as close to the lipstick shade as possible, line the lips (we want a crisp, sharp lip line!), and fill them in with the lipliner. The waxy texture will give the lipstick major staying power!

10. The Lipstick – apply two thin coats of lipstick, blotting after the first coat to create layers for depth. Pucker up, throw on your chicest party dress, and enjoy!

Products used:
Primer | Foundation | Concealer | Brow Powder (brun) | Liner | Mascara | Lashes | Highlight (accentuate) | Contour (sculpt) | Lip Conditioner | Blush (desert rose) | Lip Liner (currant) | Lipstick (sin)

Wearing: J.Crew t-shirt

photos and make up by Erin Gerlach

6 thoughts on “Holiday Beauty: The Vampy Lip

  1. Hi Jen! I just found your blog through a friend. I think the vampy lip is super bold as well; maybe I’ll try it out before the end of the season. It looks lovely on you, though! :)

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