Although you've likely got your own style nailed down by now, it's always fun to play around with current beauty trends to see how they fit into your aesthetic. You may want to discover the top holiday 2016 lipstick trends just in time for the party season, so you can experiment with your look. The holidays are an awesome time to mix up your makeup, because you have multiple occasions to test drive your new style on friends and family before you unleash it onto the world. It's also a great opportunity to show your colleagues or your crush a different side to your personality at the office party, because nobody's one dimensional. Lipstick is likely the easiest way to really shake up your look, with minimal effort.
You could spend hours trying to perfect your winged eyeliner, play around with avant-garde eyeshadow, or try your hand at the newest type of contouring. But, with lipstick, all you need do is slick it onto your pout and you're ready to go. It's by far the simplest to use transformational tool in your makeup bag. I spoke to a bunch of experts about the biggest lipstick trends for the 2016 holiday season, so you can kiss the old you goodbye, at least for the holidays.
1. A Spectrum Of Scarlet Shades
Aidan Keogh, Honey Artists makeup artist, explains over email that there's a whole spectrum of reds to play with this season, ranging from saturated orange, to fire engine red, to crimson, and more. Keogh says, "My go-to coral red is 'Chilean Sunset' by Victoria Beckham for Estée Lauder," plus his favorite fire engine red shades are NARS "Dragon Girl" and MAC "Ruby Woo," while his preferred crimson colors are the "Cruella" Velvet Matte Lip Pencil by NARS or Charlotte Tilbury's "Bond Girl" or "Birkin Brown."
2. Velvet Glossy Lips
Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain In Rouge Vinyle, $36, Amazon
Suzy Gerstein, Honey Artists makeup artist, tells me over email that velvet glossy lips will be in this holiday period. She says, "Velvet glossy lips — sounds like an oxymoron but you can now have the lush pigment of a lipstick and the high shine finish of a gloss. I love the new YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stains and NARS Velvet Lip Glides."
3. Lips Are The New Brows
"As far as holiday trends go for 2016, lips are the new brows," says board certified dermatologist Dr. Michael Swann. He explains over email, "AccentuatIon of the three-dimensional G-K point on your central upper lip brings out your lips' natural beauty. I see things going away from 'bigger lips and overdrawn liners' and more to showing off the architecture. And that is a trend I am happy to see."
4. Vampy Lips
Min Min Ma, a Honey Artists makeup artist, says, "Be daring this holiday season and opt for a vampy lip look instead of your usual red/pink lipsticks. Some of my favorite shades are: NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in 'Chaos', Stila Stay All Day Vinyl Lip Gloss in 'Merlot Vinyl,' and Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in 'Polished Purple.'"
NYX Creamy Round Lipstick Chaos, $6, Amazon
"Vampy lips are sexy and so sophisticated and all skin-toned ladies can pull it off," says Min Min Ma over email, "choosing the textures is a personal preference and how much maintenance you are willing to put in. Regardless of the texture, first exfoliate your lips to ensure the skin is smooth. Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant does the job beautifully. If you picked a matted lipstick, use a lip balm (when only needed) after the lipstick has been applied."
5. Kylie Jenner’s Liquid Lipsticks
Kalina Cyrnek, an esthetician at Haven Spa tells me via email that the trendiest matte liquid lipsticks for the holiday season are from Kylie Cosmetics — no surprise there! Although Cyrnek divulges, "Trendy colors include: Purple, brown, pink nudes, red/brown, and dark cherry."
6. Keep The Emphasis On Your Pout
"The trick to keep it looking cool and today's look is [to] minimize everything else," says Keogh. He elaborates on how to get the look saying, "Apply concealer in areas where needed to [create] super hydrated skin — almost like a freshly cleaned or bare skin. Illuminate the cheek bones, brush brows up, and apply your colour of choice."
7. Glitter Lips
Gerstein informs me off another hot holiday trend this year saying, "Over the top glittery lips — I love the Pat McGrath kits." There are sparkly lipsticks everywhere right now, but if you're a little strapped for cash because you spent all your money on holiday gifts, DIY your own glitter lips with your fave lipstick and lip-safe glitter.
Try out your favorite holiday lipstick style, or give each one a go on the countdown to the New Year — your lips will have never looked so trendy!
Image: Courtesy Brand (1)
