How to pull off bright lip colour

Last night in Toronto, Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles made a surprise appearance at World Mastercard Fashion Week as the DJ at the Joe Fresh party.

The 28-year-old trendsetter showed up in a Joe Fresh leather jacket, wearing the coolest shade of violet lipstick — isn’t she always wearing the best candy-coloured shades?

And now we’re obsessed with her bright lip look.

Not sure how to pull it off? Here are a few tips for making the bold look your own — without looking like you’re trying too hard.

Pick Your Shade

Start with what you’re attracted to: reds, oranges, pinks or purples.

“Finding a hot pink lip colour is like finding any other accessory — choose what you’re attracted to!” says International Lead Makeup Artist for NARS Cosmetics, James Boehmer. “Hot pink, fuchsia, magenta — the colour looks great with all skin tones and is worn just like you wear any other statement making lip — with confidence.”

Refinery29 calls the purple lipstick trend “surprisingly flattering”:

"Purple is such a versatile colour," explains makeup artist Anthony Tulve. “It can be barely there, or it can be bright, or it can be vampy. It’s actually somewhat of a neutral.”

To find your most flattering shade, consider your eye colour, hair colour and skin undertones.

This Total Beauty guide might help you find your best red lipstick. This Harper’s Bazaar article can help you pick out a great shade of orange. Refinery29 is all about different purples this fall. And Byrdie offers some great hot pink lipstick shades for a variety of complexions.

Prep Work

Cracked lips and bright colours don’t go together. Regularly moisturize and exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub to keep them soft and smooth.

"Definitely apply a lip balm prior to applying such a bold lip," advises makeup artist Mai Quynh. “You want to make sure your lips are soft and smooth, not dry or chapped. Once you’ve allowed your lip balm to penetrate into the lips (usually 5 to 10 minutes), blot your lips a few times with a tissue. This will take off any excess lip balm before applying your lip colour.”

Prep your mouth with a lip primer or foundation to give your colour something to adhere to, and to prevent colour bleeding, Real Simple suggests.

Line

Use a pencil in the same shade as the bold hue to line — and fill in — your lips to create a long-lasting base for your bold colour.

“I usually line and fill in entire lips with a lip liner. Then I will apply a little bit of translucent loose powder on top to soften the edge and to create a longer wearing finish,” says Boehmer.

There is another school of thought to lip liner and bold lips. Some makeup artists swear by using lip liners that match their clients’ natural lips.

"Use whatever matches your natural lip shade, this stage is really about creating a template for the colour," Chanel makeup artist Kate Lee tells Beauty Blitz.

Apply — with a Brush

A pale colour might look great straight from the tube, but a bold shade requires a more precise execution.

“Don’t use the actual stick because you’ll apply too much pressure and put on too much product,” editorial makeup artist Francelle Daly tells Vogue.

“Apply red lipstick with a lip brush,” Maddox Lu, regional education manager for Eastern Canada at Benefit, tells Elle Canada. “A strong colour like red requires crisp execution. Reds are naturally bold, therefore a poor application will be even more noticeable.”

Blot your lip colour with a tissue after applying, then repeat. This layering helps keep the colour last longer. For real longevity, dust on some translucent loose powder between coats of lipstick.

After you’ve applied your colour, "dip a clean lip blush in a little concealer and gently trace the outside of your lips to ensure a clean, sharp line," NYC makeup artist Raychel Wade tells Total Beauty.

Tulle agrees. He suggests using a concealer pen to outline the edges of your mouth to help create “a perfect edge.”

Scared? Start Sheer

Not sure if you’re ready for a bold matte orange or plum this fall? Get your feet wet with a gloss or stain in a similar shade.

“Another option is to create a stain by pressing colour onto your lips and slowly building the intensity in doses,” Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis tells The Fashion Spot.

And if you end up with a mouth that’s too bright for your taste, fold a tissue in half and gently blot your lips.

The Rest of Your Face

Even out your skin tone with concealer and foundation so your lips aren’t competing with any redness or blotchiness.

Let your lips have a starring role and keep the rest of your makeup look simple.

Makeup artist Kate Lee loves a bold lip with a nude eye — with groomed and defined brows and lashes.

"I also love a strong lip with a neutral metallic liner," Lee tells InStyle. “Apply a thin line next to the lashes and smudge gently. It really catches the light and sparkles when you blink.”

Easiest tip ever: Check out what your favourite celebs are doing. If you love how someone’s paired a cat eye with an orange lip, try it!

Have Fun!

“You can use [bright lipstick] to bring out your fun and fearless side or to distract away from your more shy side,” says Jessica Spaven, a makeup stylist at MYNC Lash Lounge and Brow Bar in Toronto. “It’s all about how you wear it. And the key to the perfect pucker is to wear it with confidence and of course, a smile!”

“In my whole career,” says Daly, “I’ve never seen someone wearing a bright, beautiful lipstick in a bad mood.”

What’s your favourite shade of bright lipstick? (I’m a Lady Danger fan.)