Katy Young: bold lips
A WELL-KNOWN MAKE-UP ARTIST ONCE TOLD ME THAT NOTHING ages a woman more than the way she wears her make-up. ‘A pearly eyeshadow or heavy blush along the cheekbones will immediately date you,’ he explained. Up to a point, he was right.
The anomaly was, and is, red lipstick. A crimson mouth is the most timeless of looks. I can’t think of one catwalk season during my 22 years working in a beauty office that a scarlet lip hasn’t made an appearance – or, come to think of it, a single red bullet I’ve had to throw away for fear that it doesn’t quite cut the modern mustard. They all still do. And it’s back for SS24 – in a big, bright way.
So, if you want to stay au courant, like, For Ever, but can’t face (literally) the idea of switching up your make-up every six months, get into the habit of wearing a red lipstick. It’s a fashionable failsafe that is cash in your beauty back pocket, whatever cut of jean you’re wearing in years to come. Plus, unlike so many emerging make-up trends that just look better on younger faces – glitter on your brows, anyone? – it’s also a look that can grow old gracefully with you.
But of course, with any timeless classic, every new season throws up its nuances. This season, it was less about the shade and more about shape and finish. So spend more time perfectly outlining your mouth and less time choosing the colour – as long as it’s in a velvet finish, as seen at Saint Laurent, Erdem and Carolina Herrera.
The good news is that your favourite shade is welcome back for another season, but will just need a bit of SS24’s attention to detail. If you’ve yet to find the perfect one, ease yourself in with Charlotte Tilbury’s smorgasbord of reds, which come in a matte satin finish to keep it chic, not flashy. Dior also does great variations, 70 of them in fact, in textures so gorgeous you can easily press them into cheeks to complete the look. And Burberry is a great brand for some of the best cherry tones in London town, which last for hours.
For those of you yet to build bold-lip confidence, try my all-time favourite beauty trick, taught to me by red-lip-wearing make-up artist Poppy King. Apply your lipstick at home, a few hours before you have to leave, and gently become at ease with your reflection. Eventually that comfort will help you grab your keys and coat and leave the house with it on, hopefully for seasons to come.