GET THE LOOK

The wearable art that was the lip at Maison Margiela shows us that there is no longer any need to fear bright lips

THE TREND

Maison Margiela always has a knack for finding the sweet spot between the bizarre and innovative. Every season, the house’s avantgarde presentations — whether it be enveloping bomber jackets fit for an apocalypse or the deconstruction of everyday pieces — have served as a catalyst for exciting new trends in fashion and beauty. At the Maison Margiela Fall 2018 show, the models had an uncanny resemblance to extraterrestrial beings as makeup was stripped bare except for a stamp of colour on the lips. Striking crayola lips in an array of hues from royal blues blending into violets to bottle greens were the stars of the show, set against super-clean skin that glistened with moist iridescence.

THE SKIN

It’s important to get the skin right as it creates a canvas for the artful lip to pop. The skin is kept minimal, almost stark, with flashes of light being the only evidence of life and dimension. Before applying makeup, apply a hydrating or brightening serum over the skin to create a dewy, moist base. Mix a few drops of a liquid pearlescent highlighter to foundation with a lightweight, buildable coverage and sweep across the face, leaving a bit of skin-like texture.

THE LIPS

The secret to achieving the perfect bold pout is ensuring that the lips are prepped correctly and that the application is painstakingly precise.

1 Start by smoothing out the lip surface with a hydrating lip scrub to remove any dry skin that may show under the lip colour.

2 Define the edges by lining and filling in the lips with a lip liner that is one shade brighter than your lipstick.

3 Amplify the colour pay-off by applying two or three layers of lip colour with a lip brush. Play with different textures such as a matte lipstick layered with a metallic lacquer or two complementary matte shades to create an ombré effect.

THE EYES

The eyes are definitely not a feature here but they still require subtle enhancements to balance out the look. When eyes are this bare, with no mascara, liner or eyeshadow, the key is to just polish up what you have. Lightly tap a creamy highlighter onto the ball of the eyelid to lift the eyes by creating a reflective sheen. Allow the eyebrows to fade into the background without any fill or definition — just neaten them up with a bit of clear brow gel.