I love dark lips which led me to my good friend MAC Viva Glam III Lipstick. This shade is a matte and mute brownish plum. It is chock full of pigment and offers full coverage with a lovely matte finish. I admit that sometimes it is tricky. If you must wear lip balm under this color make sure it is applied evenly or this lipstick will apply very splotchy and make you look kind of like a pit bull. This color was launched in 2000 and I still love it. It comes in the Viva Glam red and black bullet case and has a soft vanilla fragrance. It is my go to for fall or when I dye my hair a burgundy shade. I’m not the only one craving dark lips for fall. All the makeup companies are pushing it such as Sephora, MAC, Smashbox, etc. and it is in all the beauty magazines.

I’ve taken a picture of my lipstick. The flash washed it out a bit but not too much. Just imagine the shade without the sheen of the flash and that is it.

I’ve also taken a picture of myself wearing this lipstick which came out looking like a goth girl MySpace photo. I now know why everyone’s social networking pictures are so lame and serious looking. I thought they were trying to look sexy like they were in an Euro Vogue or something but you’re so serious because you are concentrating on taking a picture of yourself. It’s hard and my arms are up in the air snapping a photo it makes my face look stupid. Anyways, please ignore this. I just wanted to give an example of the look I love. It isn’t perfect and my hair isn’t even brushed…

So, I love dark lips with minimal eye makeup. It takes no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete. I am going to tell you what products I used for this Iook. First, I applied Lancome Aqua Fusion Teinté Tinted Moisturizer in Shade 1. I applied Lancome Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer in Light Buff which I mix with a little of Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. I love the slip that this provides. I covered a few spots with Maybelline Pure Concealer in Light. ( I love this product!) And I brushed my face with a huge kabuki brush covered with Lancome Dual Finish Powder Makeup in Matte Ecru. I brushed my brows with Lancome Modèle Sourcils in Châtaigne. I applied Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow in ABC Gum which is a light peach all over the lid. I brushed and blended Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow in Secret Service which is a matte warm brown. I coated lashes with Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Blasting Mascara in Very Black. (This isn’t horrible mascara, I just don’t know if I’ll purchase again unless I get another awesome coupon that makes it almost free .) I took a large fluffy blush brush and applied Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in Golden Pink. I love Cover Girl Blush and the price is right. I don’t know if this is the best shade for me (others one make me look more alive), I feel it doesn’t photograph well but of course nothing does with a harsh flash on a digi camera. And nothing makes one look much paler than the flash of a digi cam. Finally, I applied Almay Ideal Lipliner in Wine and coated my lips with MAC Viva Glam III Lipstick. Finished in 7 minutes while my ginger tea was still brewing.

Here are some tips for the lips. If you worry about splotchiness with such a pigment packed matte, apply a lip base or concealer or foundation onto the lips to create a smooth canvas. I do this sometimes but then I find it may or may not mess with the vibrancy of the color. I always line my lips when using an intense shade. I like it harsh so I use a darker lip liner. Any liner will work, a nude is perfect for everything. Finally, A Q-Tip is your best friend. If you paint outside of the lines just go around with a Q-Tip to get the perfect pout. Blot if you must.

It’s that simple and you’ll always looked made up and fab.