As one of the most influential people in the beauty industry, Dior's Creative and Image Director Peter Philips knows everything there is to know about lipstick. E-v-e-r-y-thing.
Here, he shares his five tips and tricks for perfect lipstick application every time.
Before you even start applying foundation, rub a small amount of lip scrub onto your lips and then follow with a nourishing lip balm. Don't have a scrub to hand? Try rubbing your lips gently with a damp towel.
'I always prep the lips and then paint them as the last step after doing the whole face,' explains Peter. 'That way, they're nicely hydrated while looking calm and plumped.'
The key is to play with light and shadow. 'Trace the outline of your lips with a darker, contouring shade. Next, fill the centre with a colour half a shade lighter and add a little pearliness over the top to create the optic illusion of instantly fuller, plumper lips,' says Peter.
Lacking in time/skills/patience? Fear not; Peter has created a new all-in-one plumping lipstick for such situations. 'Rouge Dior Double Rouge was created as an easy tool that enables you to do it all in one swipe. It has darker matte shade on the outside of the bullet that outlines your lips and lighter metallic running all the way down the centre.'
For a universally flattering red we love Double Rouge 999 Matte Metal (coincidently Natalie Portman's favourite too).
Obviously the easiest route is to swipe on your lipstick straight from the bullet, but in pursuit of perfection, Peter recommends taking your time.
'Try applying your chosen lipstick with a brush first, before perfecting the edge with a lip liner for an ultra defined line.' If your cupid's bow needs more attention, pick up some concealer on a small, angled brush and run it along the edge of your lip, blending outwards.
Not after perfection? For a more modern take, Peter recommends using a cotton bud (Muji do great one's) to blur the edges of the lipstick, before blotting it down with a tissue to create a stain-like finish. 'It's an imperfect result that still looks pretty and sexy,' adds Peter.
For the Dior Cruise 2018 show, Peter used the same coral toned lipsticks (Rouge Dior Double Rouge in Miss Crush)on the lips, eyes and cheeks. The result? A ridiculously flattering, all-over glow that we wanted to recreate immediately. 'Try a lipstick with some pearlescence, it will blend seamlessly with your foundation and leave your skin glowing,' advises Peter.
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