For some, the thought of trying out a burgundy lipstick is enough to send a chill down their spine. For others, it’s simply a thing of the past – whether that’s way back in the 1990s or just this past autumn.
But for some of our favourite A-Listers, the burgundy lip is seeing an exciting revival, even being dubbed the colour of the season this Spring. From Renée Zellweger on the latest cover of Vogue, to Claire Danes and Helen Flanagan on recent red carpets, the grungy hue is truly back and bolder than ever.
Like most deeper shades, a cool vampy red is known as notoriously difficult to work with. As well as needing you to truly step out of your comfort zone colour-wise, burgundy is often associated with bleeding, smudging and washing out a paler face. But expert makeup artists are clear that this is a misconception. As seen on some of our favourite celebs this month, a darker lip can be a chic, modern look, a symbol of confidence and the perfect accessory for a statement-making evening look.
Still fighting the fear? We spoke to three MUAs to get the lowdown on the burgundy lip, and compile an expert guide on how to rock it, with no shame.
How do I choose a burgundy lip?
Since different burgundy hues can have different base colours – maroon, berry, plum, purple 0r brown – and lipsticks range from satin to matte finishes and liquid to balm formulas, the dilemma often stems from being unsure about where to start.
Jessica Dixon, a MAC regional artist, says that the key is determining your skin’s undertone first, in order to find which burgundy shade best suits you. If it’s too dark, the colour can make your lips appear thinner, while the perfect shade will make your lips pop. This means working out which underlying colour sits permanently under the surface of your visible skin tone, which may vary from fair to medium to deep.
Bobbi Brown pro makeup artist Aimée Morrison told GH that the three main undertones are: “cool, which includes pink and bluish hues; warm, which ranges from peach to yellow and golden; and neutral, which has a mixture of both warm and cool tones.”
So, when it comes to burgundy, particular shades will flatter each complexion – Jamie Genevieve, makeup artist and founder of VIEVE, explains: “To find the perfect shade, consider your undertones: warm undertones pair beautifully with red-brick burgundies, cool undertones suit purple-berry shades, and neutral undertones can experiment with a variety of options.”
Jamie adds that testing shades in natural light is the best practice to ensure it complements your skin. “For a beginner-friendly option, I recommend the VIEVE Lip Dew in Cherry, £21, as it offers a soft purple-red hue that’s bold yet wearable.”
How should I apply it?
When experimenting with darker colours, it’s important to moisturise and prep the lips before applying any product. “Always start with a lip primer, such as MAC Prep and Prime Lip, £22, to ensure that the lip is smooth, hydrating and the lipstick stays put,” says Jessica.
To help prevent any bleeding after a few hours of wear and to enhance the definition and longevity of the lipstick, Jamie says: “Fill in your lips with the liner before applying your lipstick. This not only creates a base for richer colour payoff but also ensures a polished, long-lasting finish.”
If you’re still not quite ready to commit to the colour, Jessica suggests opting for a lower maintenance combination. “Use a burgundy lip liner and then buff it in towards the centre of the lip. Then top with a clear lipgloss or a lip conditioner – this gives a nod to burgundy in a subtle way.”
What about the rest of my makeup?
When sporting a bolder lip, Jamie recommends keeping the rest of your face subtle and balanced with a glowy, minimal base to let your burgundy lip take centre stage.
Jessica explains that certain lipsticks can also double up and be used as a blusher: “This is a really lovely way of bringing the look together.” Start with a small amount and slowly build up the pigment while dabbing the colour into the cheeks using fingers.
As for the eyes, natural, muted shades will complement the burgundy rather than compete with it. “Eyes could be more neutral with a soft brown or monochromatic shades for a more dramatic look,” adds Jessica.
Shop our top picks of the best burgundy lipsticks for the season
Matte lipsticks
Satin lipsticks
Liquid lipsticks
Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Bohemian
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Underdawg
Lip liners
Tinted balms and lip glosses
