The dark Lorde in all her gothic glory
Photo © Anthony Harvey of Getty Images / M·A·C Cosmetics
WHAT: When is Lorde’s moody mauve-lipped look going away? The goth schtick may be getting old, but you know what they say: If it ain’t broke … At this year’s Brit Awards, for instance, the “Royal” was rocking a decidedly matte take on her signature scowl, a perfect counterpoint to her high-shine, high-drama Tom Ford gown.
We’ll get back to Lorde soon enough, but let’s make a quick detour by directing our mascara-ed gaze towards the recently concluded Milan Fashion Week. Manicured hands down the best look, at least in our beauty books, was Tom Pecheux’s brilliantly executed berry lip at Max Mara.
Berry dramatic indeed: Wine reds ruled at Max Mara (left) and Anteprima's Autumn 2014 runways
Stripping the lips of shine was an incredibly savvy move: The girls’ faces gained a severe, almost painterly patina that came off as deeply strong and very womanly.
To nail the look, Tom Pecheux used an exclusive M.A.C shade dubbed Hearts Aflame – no word yet on when it’ll hit the shelves – then layered on a dusting of M.A.C Pro’s Basic Red Pigment for a powdery finish.
SEEN AT: Angelo Marani, Antonio Marras, Anteprima, Max Mara, Messaggerie, the great Lorde herself
Antonio Marras (left) and Angelo Marani
HOW TO WEAR: We’re not going to lie: Pulling off a strong lip demands a certain amount of gut. You’re bound to attract stares, so make sure your look-at-me puckers are sending the right message. You don’t want attention to be drawn to creases and crinkles, so moisturise, moisturise, moisturise.
When you’re all balm-ed up, make like Lorde’s face painter and hew to the cosmetics equivalent of the legs-or-cleavage rule: Choose to play up your lips or your eyes, not both. M.A.C’s senior artist Amber Dreadon primed her superstar client’s complexion with a gentle dusting of the beauty brand’s Mineralize Foundation.
(Catty aside: Scrutinise Lorde’s face in event photos and you’ll quickly realise that the 19-year-old is as spotty and greasy as your next teenager.)
We like the choice of a hint of gloss on the lids. Courtesy of a custom blend of M.A.C’s Honey Lust Eye Shadow and Hey Eye Shadow, the glimmering eyes were gussied up just enough so that Lorde’s face didn’t come off as bottom-heavy.
Now for the pillowy protagonists of the show. Amber Dreadon ran with an intense aubergine swatch, so decadent and dark it fully deserves its evocative moniker; ask for the Lipstick in Smoked Purple at your M.A.C cabin.
To get the squid inky goodness to stay put on your puckers through dinner and beyond, here’s a personal tip. Try shellacking your entire mouth with a creamy pencil base in a complementary shade before applying your lippie of choice; the pencil will “grab” your lipstick’s pigments much like a facial primer would. Now, go out there and paint the town black!
For product availability, approach your nearest M.A.C Cosmetics counter and visit www.maccosmetics.com.sg. You can follow M.A.C Cosmetics on Facebook.