TOP 3: Dark Winter Lipsticks & How to Wear Them

Not gonna lie, the emo kid in me is pretty excited that dark lipsticks are well and truly in for winter.

Finally I can wear moody lippies and not have to convince my mum that this is just a phase! 

While I've definitely matured since middle school, a part of me will always love a badass black lipstick. But if you're a little wary of looking a little OTT, trust me, dark lipsticks are actually a lot easier to wear than you think!

In this week's blog post I'll introduce you to my top 3 dark lipsticks that are wearable, feminine and all round super cool. Plus, wearing intimidating lip colours means strangers won't talk to you*. Bonus!

*Can you tell I'm introverted?

First up, when it comes to dark lipsticks, I definitely have a few tips. They do need a little extra care when applying (if you go outside the lines, it's a bit more obvious than your trusty everyday nude!) and require a bit of upkeep during the day, but a statement pout like this is way worth it!

Here are my top three tips:

1. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.

Thanks to the cold wintery air, our lips are much more prone to drying out. Dark lipstick + flaky lips = not a good combination. At night time after you've brushed your teeth, use your toothbrush to gently scrub your lips to get rid of any loose, dead skin (gross, I know), then pack on the lip balm before you go to sleep. Your cushiony soft lips will thank you in the morning.

2. Choose a matte or semi-matte formula.

When you're opting for a dark shade, a matte or semi-matte formula will be your best bet, as they go on smoother and more evenly than other formulas. Anything glossy will be more likely to get on your teeth (or the rest of your face!), plus a matte finish is just so cool. If your lipstick tends to bleed outside your lip line, use a lipliner before your lipstick to lock that colour in.

3. Go easy on the rest of your makeup.

With a bold lip like this, who needs a smoky eye? I'd pare back your makeup to a flawless complexion, a strong highlight and mascara, which will really let your lips be the centre of attention. There's something so understatedly chic about a statement lip and barely there makeup!

Australis Velourlips Lip Cream in Mel-Burn

Let's start with the darkest. Yes, you can wear black lipstick without looking like a zombie!

The Australis Velourlips in Mel-Burn is a creamy, true black liquid lipstick that dries super matte. It does take a coat or two to become fully opaque, but the end result is crazy rad.

Plus, you can get this baby from Priceline for just over $10 - so it's a complete steal.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Scream Queen

Now for something a little bit more suitable for 'everyday' wear! This deep cool-toned red from Smashbox is a vampy shade that's perfect for whacking on after work on a Friday to dress up your makeup look with minimal effort. 

It's pretty flattering on most skin tones too, plus it goes on really smoothly and dries to a semi-matte finish that after a quick blot, won't transfer when you're eating and drinking. 

If you're only going to get one lipstick shade from this post, make it this purple-toned red - it's an upgrade from the usual bright scarlet and is actually pretty sexy!

M.A.C Viva Glam Ariana Grande

For something that's in-between the first two shades, the Viva Glam Ariana Grande is a gorgeously rich matte plum colour, with subtle flecks of shimmer through it.

This one takes a little more care to apply - a lip brush or a lip liner will come in handy! - but once on, the colour is striking.

And limited edition packaging just speaks to my soul, you get me?

Another bonus of wearing dark lipstick is that they leave the prettiest stain on your lips once they've worn off! Plus the stain will last for ages, which is lucky if you're lazy like me and can't be bothered reapplying all the time!

What's your favourite dark lipstick? Let me know in the comments below!