For most of us out there, we’ve probably owned a Barbie doll or two when we were younger. Even if you didn’t play with one, you’d probably know that Barbie and pink pretty much go hand in hand since the fashion doll was created in the 1960s.
When it comes to pink lips though, it can be a hit or miss because it’s one of those colours that can make you look like a life-size Barbie wannabe instead of an elegant, put-together woman.
Sure, we can’t argue that there’s nothing more feminine and flirtier than a pink pout but as much as we love a good pink, we know it can be hard to wear one with success… especially when you’re celebrating love on Valentine’s Day.
That’s why Daily Vanity is here to help everyone nail a good pink lip that looks romantic and youthful at the same time.
Keep on reading to learn about the top 11 tried-and-true tips to pull off pink lips without looking like an overgrown Barbie.
Plus, we also gathered the best 10 pink lipsticks that you can consider wearing for your dinner date this Valentine’s Day.
11 tips to wear pink lips without looking like Barbie
Give your lips a good scrub
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Take it from us: there’s nothing worse than wearing a bold lip colour and then having that beautiful pigments cling to dead, dry skin or settle in those natural lip lines and creases.
Give your lips a good scrub-down to remove the dead outer surface of the lips – a quick exfoliation for your pout also helps improve circulation besides making the lips soft, smooth, and kissable.
You can scrub away and reveal a supple pout with either a damp wash cloth, a lip exfoliator, or lightly massaging your toothbrush on your lips in circular motion.
Define your lip shape
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For your bold pink pout to truly stand out, you can achieve that with a defined lip shape.
If you’ve never defined your lip shape when wearing lipstick, fret not – it’s really simple to do. All you have to do is to slick on your chosen pink lipstick as usual, then touch up the edges of your mouth with concealer and a precision brush to cover up any unevenness.
Priming is essential
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Repeat after us: priming is essential. Whether we’re talking about foundation, eyeshadows or lip colours, what goes underneath your product is going to determine the lasting power and the finish of whatever that’s on the top layer.
Giving your pout a boost of priming moisture will ensure that your lips won’t feel dry or feather with prolonged colour wear.
Don’t forget to line your lips
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Lining your lips in the same or similar colour will help ensure your lipstick won’t feather or travel away from your lip line.
Plus, you can also cheat a bigger pout if you draw slightly outside of your natural lip shape!
But we get it, getting a lip liner for every lipstick you have is a little unfeasible. To circumvent that issue, opt for a clear lip pencil instead – it completely fool-proof and works for every lip colour imaginable. A top Daily Vanity favourite is the M.A.C Prep + Prime Lip (S$34 from Sephora).
Keep skin dewy if you’re going with a matte lip
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The number one rule to wearing makeup without looking clownish is to accentuate only one area and keep the rest of your face soft and natural.
And if bright pink is too loud for you, you can definitely try a softer colour like the coral pink sported by Lee Sung Kyung – it has a caramel undertone and tends to be universally appealing.
To complement your matte lip, be sure to keep your complexion dewy – you can start by prepping your skin with a plumping moisturiser for a smooth and dewy finish. Follow with a radiance-enhancing primer and a sheer foundation to even out skin tone.
Skip the mascara
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Curling your lashes upwards to “open up” your eyes is fine, and it’s totally OK to do a light smokey eyeshadow too.
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Coating your lashes with mascara, however, would be too much as it’ll draw the attention away from your bold pink lips… unless you’re gunning for a modern ’60s spring makeup look à la actress Lucy Boynton.
Keep the lip gloss for later
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To avoid looking like you just chowed down on a bucket of fried chicken, it’s best to apply your regular lipstick first instead of reaching for a lip gloss to start.
You can certainly add a tiny bit of lip gloss after you’ve applied your lipstick if you want to create more dimension on your lips, but try to avoid wearing a bright pink lip gloss on its own.
Go easy on the blush
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When your lips are dressed in an attention-grabbing shade, the last thing you want to do is to wear too much blush – piling more colours on your cheeks may just make you look clownish than elegant.
Powder blushes are fine, but if you want something that’s longer lasting, stick to cream finishes. If you feel like your complexion still needs a little colour to look more alive, you can always dab some of your lipstick colour on the cheeks for a more unifying look.
Darker skin tones, berry shades are your best friends
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Darker skin tones arguably get the best of both worlds because you can pull off both nude pink as well as jewel-toned pinks and berry pinks like no other skin tone can.
On days that you’re feeling the need for a confidence boost, we highly suggest you go for a richer, more vibrant shade – this pop of colour can instantly make you look fresher and more awake, too.
Then, on days that you want to look more subtle and girly, take a leaf out of starlet Yara Syahidi’s book and slick on a nude pink instead – pair it with a smokey brown shadow to complete the look.
Opposites pop
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If you have a warm undertone, a blue-based fuchsia shade will really pop against your skin.
Don’t worry if you feel like you look a little washed out with such a bold lip colour – this can be easily remedied by patting your fingers on your lips and transferring the pigments you picked up onto the apples of your cheeks.
We know it sounds crazy, but this trick actually creates a subtle monochromatic look that prevents you from looking like a pale but chic ghost.
Alternatively, you can also try the underliner trend for a more graphic yet monochromatic look. What’s an underliner, you ask? Think of it simply as an upside-down eyeliner; instead of lining your upper lash, you draw on your lower lash line with a shade that matches your pout.
Go full-on pink if you’re feeling adventurous
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If you’re ready to venture a little out of your comfort zone, you can definitely try to wear a full pink look for a change of scenery this Valentine’s Day.
How about a cat-eye with a twist? As evidenced by Ash K. Holm, celebrity makeup artist who’s touched the faces of Ariane Grande, Ashley Graham, and almost every Kardashian of the clan, you can rock a subtle pink pout with a bright pink eyeliner drawn on top of your usual black cat-eye flick.
Together with bushy brows and a glowing complexion, the look is refreshing and captivating all at once.
10 pink lipsticks to try this Valentine’s Day
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Apart from hot Barbie pinks, a punchy pink lip also includes colours like raspberry as seen on Lucy Boynton here.
In fact, raspberry pink is one of the most versatile colours out there as you can make it as light or as deep as you desire – simple swipe on a few extra layers for a quick transition from day to night.
For your shopping consideration, here are our top 10 pink lipsticks you can dress your lips with this Valentine’s Day.
Rouge Hermès Satin Lipstick in Rose Pommette (Limited Edition)
Part of the second limited-edition collection of Rouge Hermès, this vibrant pink shade comes in a satin finish for a soft and sensual look.
The Rouge Hermès Satin Lipstick in Rose Pommette (Limited Edition) retails for S$113 at all Hermès boutiques and online.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Famous Red
Apart from the iconic Orgasm blush, NARS is also famous for its assortment of jumbo lip pencils and this bright pink coral glides onto the lips effortlessly thanks to a creamy, non-drying formula.
The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Famous Red retails for S$38 at all NARS and Sephora stores, as well as sephora.sg.
Dior Rouge Dior Couture Finish Refillable Lipstick in 575 Soiree A Rio
The French beauty maison recently revamped the Rouge Dior lipstick range for Spring 2021, and we’re happy to let you know that all the lipsticks are now refillable – yay! Aside from the floral extract-enriched formula, this berry pink lipstick is touted to last for as long as 16 hours.
The Dior Rouge Dior Couture Finish Refillable Lipstick in 575 Soiree A Rio retails for S$56 at all Dior and Sephora outlets as well as online at sephora.sg.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 011 Stormy Pink
Revlon’s Stormy Pink shade may have been launched in the 1950s but it’s still stirring up a storm until today – and we can totally see why! The colour is buildable so you can decide how intense you want the pigment to be, making it a very versatile hue for different looks.
The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 011 Stormy Pink retails for S$19.10 at Guardian.
Three Daringly Demure Lipstick in 06
For lips that need extra TLC, this lipstick by the Japanese brand gets the job done with a cocktail of nine botanical extracts, including sea buckthorn fruit, argan, jojoba, rosehip, and shea.
The Three Daringly Demure Lipstick in 06 retails for S$53 at all THREE boutiques as well as online at sephora.sg.
Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick in 402 Vantine Fuchsia
Like your lipstick case to make a statement as much as the bullet it houses? You won’t go wrong with this satin lippie by Gucci, which is also enriched with natural oils to keep skin smooth and soft.
The Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick in 402 Vantine Fuchsia retails for S$53 at all Gucci boutiques as well as online at sephora.sg.
Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick in 208 Elegant Hibiscus
This lipstick doesn’t just offer the best of both satin and matte formulas in one swipe, it also features an innovative packaging that’s inspired by professional lip brushes to allow you to steadily apply your lipstick with just one hand.
The Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick in 208 Elegant Hibiscus retails for S$35 at all Sephora stores and online at sephora.sg.
M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick in All Fired Up
For the perfect matte lip, you definitely can’t go wrong with M.A.C’s iconic Retro Matte Lipsticks. That said, this formula can be a tad drying so if you are planning to wear this lippie for long hours, be sure to prime and moisturise your lips first before applying the colour.
The M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick in All Fired Up retails for S$33 at all M.A.C counters and stores, as well as online at sephora.sg.
Givenchy Le Rouge Deep Velvet Lipstick in #25 Fuchsia Vibrant
This long-wearing matte is super comfortable on the lips, thanks to a formula that’s infused with mango butter for maximum comfort.
The Givenchy Le Rouge Deep Velvet Lipstick in #25 Fuchsia Vibrant retails for S$55 at sephora.sg.
Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in PK348
With a double hybrid pigment technology, this lippie features a super smooth texture that instantly melts into the lips for a second-skin sensation without sacrificing the matte lipstick’s lasting power.
The Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in PK348 retails for S$42 at all Shu Uemura counters and online at sephora.sg.
