Beauty Trend Alert: Violent Hues

Words: Leni Andronicos

While we love what the warm months bring to our year (bold brights, clashing prints and micro-hems) we're even more excited that it brings audacious colours for lips!

Dare to go bold this season with fluorescent lips in shades of pink and orange. Can't be swayed? Ditch the nerves and follow our how-to guide to the puurfect pout.

# If you're planning on donning a set of bright lips, keep the rest of your makeup minimal
Try an illuminising face powder, such as Napoleon Perdis Translucent Loose Powder, and dress your lashes in only a light application of mascara.

# Exfoliate your lips
Making sure your lips are smooth pre-application, will help the lipstick be as long-lasting as possible. It's as easy as brushing your toothbrush gently across your lips, but for a pro-esque job, take a tiny drop of Lucas' Papaw Ointment and mix it with a pinch of sugar.

# Prime your lips
Lip primer will not only moisturise the lips, but will give your lipstick something to hold onto so it lasts and lasts.

# Line your lips
Do not — we repeat — do not draw a big old chunky line around your lips then fill it with colour. That's a major lip faux pas. Choose a liner close to your lipstick colour and apply by tracing your natural lip line. Blend by rubbing your index finger over your lips. It will intensify the colour as well help to minimise any obvious wear off.

# Apply your colour
Start with a cream finish lipstick (we love Napoleon Perdis DeVine Goddess Lipstick in Hara), and then apply a gloss in a similar shade on top. Also apply a clear gloss on top of your chosen shade and finish with a shimmer gloss — gently blotted to the centre of your lips.

# It might seem a little heavy at first, but these extra steps will help your lip colour last longer — even after a serious pash!

# Confidence
Fluorescent lips aren't for the fainthearted. So if you want to avoid the colour wearing you, rock this look by showing off some killer confidence!