By now, I thought I'd seen every trend imaginable in makeup.As some of my Esteemed Readers know, I was part of the punk scene for a long time, and wore all manner of crazy makeup (and hair!), as did a lot of other people—just look at half the music videos from the '80s. Back in the day, I wore rainbow striped eyeshadow, green mascara, and surprising lipstick, including green and black. I wore black the most, because it was more astonishing than green. I enjoyed startling people.* I had a lot of fun experimenting with different looks, but eventually I lost interest, and returned to a more subtle approach with my makeup.
It's been more than 20 years since I stopped wearing black lipstick, and since then, I've seldom seen it, except in film/Halloween costumes, in clubs, and on the odd bold musician. Other than these infrequent instances, black lipcolor has really been out of sight, out of mind for me.
Until now:
Vogue got hold of some black gloss, and did these little bits on it in the September 2008 issue, highlighting the YSL version.** (The two women on a blue sky background are on a page separate from the one focusing on the gloss. I put them together to make a point.)
The Vogue way of wearing the gloss was deemed "the lip look of the season," and while I agree that it's definitely the most memorable lip look I've seen this season, it seems pretty OTT to me. Maybe that's an old idea, but I can't imagine many women—or men, for that matter—wearing the gloss the way Vogue shows it above. I'm sure that the super-hip and/or edgier among us will certainly try it, but for the rest of us, I suppose the question is whether or not it is a "wearable" look. To me, it's a kitschy collectible, more idea than ideal.
But then I have to ask myself "what about this old idea?" Is this new black gloss really OTT? Or is it just new? The item on the YSL gloss stated that it was used in the Fall runway show ". . . to match the collection's varnished, shiny black accessories." Well, that makes sense. Why not match the accessories? It makes for a cohesive look. And what about our long-term love affair with black, in general? We do smoky eyes all the time, with lots of black mascara, and we wear black nail polish. We dress in black, wear black shoes, and carry black bags. Why not black lips?
Obviously, the black lip as the "lip look of the season" sounds interesting in theory, but I still wonder if it will be put into widespread practice. The Vogue item goes on to say ". . . if pure black is too intimidating, add a few drops to your favorite lipstick to deepen the color." I suppose that would be a good way to dip one's toe into the water.
The only person I know who has even discussed this "lip look of the season" is Miss WendyB, who has already ordered Lancôme's version. (Incidentally, she says she wore silver lipstick in the '80s, so it doesn't surprise me a bit that she'd go for something like this.) I found this other brave individual wearing black lipcolor. Other than these two, who among us will try?
Do my Esteemed Readers think that there is a practical application for this lipcolor? Can we wear black gloss on it's own, or must it be mixed with other colors? Is the world ready for black gloss? Or is it relegated to costumes and clubs?
Let's hear it!
*Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—I don't have any pictures of me with green or black lips. I looked.
**I looked for the YSL gloss, and it was sold out on the site. I couldn't find the Lancôme version, either. Too bad.
[FYI, I have not forgotten what day it is. I'm choosing to discuss and poll about something superficial so that we have something ELSE to think about for a few minutes.]
(Images from me, via Vogue)
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41 comments:
I was already a huge proponent (and buyer) of Chanel Black Satin nail polish, so I am not at all appalled by black lipstick. I think it's doable for evening; matte is preferable to gloss for me . . .
xoxox,
cC
I think it is OTT. Even when the fashionistas test it out I doubt that the masses will accept it. I like it but I think one has to keep in mind the whole look. Black is good for drama, or space age, but I wouldn't recommend wearing it with a 50s vintage dress!
that´s for sure a really rocker style, i would do it! hehe
a kiss\!!!
I must point out that I plan to use a black gloss over red lips! I think most people will interpret this runway look as a very very deep red or berry color, like Chanel's Vamp, rather than true black.
Definitely a little frightened, I think it could work especially if mixed with another colour. In it's pure form, I think it will look plain scary on most. But experimentation is still cool.
I'd love to try black lipstick, but I'm just too scared to hand over money for something that could look great, but could just end up looking very wrong!
Well, E., I guess that I will hunt this down and wear it on its own with that fake bandage dress I told you about.
Unlike WendyB., I have no history of good taste.
black gloss is funny !! great for a party but for the day..........dont know actually
I loved the black gloss over red lips that WendyB showed on her blog - but I know from teenage experience that fully black lips make me (and pretty much everyone else) look like a warmed up cadaver on the loose after escaping from our lockers in the morgue.
I wear beige lipstick - I think you can take that as a resounding "no" to the black lips!
i don't know about black gloss for me. i will try it to give it a fair chance though.
Maybe for Halloween :)
ha ha I used to wear a near black shade of lipstick back in the early '90s. Back then we didn't have gloss as such. No in Seoul anyhow.
Since started feeling old I abandoned all darker shade lip treatment. It's just too much of a maintenance during the day. That said, my guy will be heavily against the idea of me wearing black. Yes, I do need to have his approval in this case as he will end up 'eating' most of it.
We are comfortable trying any type of clothing, but for some reason when it comes to make-up we are less-than daring (I aspire to your rainbow shadow days ;). I think really dark lipstick will make my face look like a black hole, but I'm inspired to give it a try because of your post!
You can put black lip gloss on a pig, but it's still Sarah Palin!
Oh no, no, no. I'm way, way too fair for black gloss. I would scare myself and others.
I do however wear a dark berry color from Bobbi Brown that works for me. Blue Raspberry. I was once a subject model for an art class and was told by all the budding artists that I had tons of blue in my skin, which I really didn't feel was a particulary nice thing to tell someone. But, we work with what we have.
I like the idea of wearing it over red, but why not just get burgundy/wine gloss instead? I dunno...
Yeah, I think it will be Vamp in real life and No I will not be wearing it. There is a reason Goths wear it; it makes you look dead.
And I switched to soft pinks YEARS ago, hereditary cats bum wrinkles are emphasised by dark lippie. AND I Do not smoke, so not fair.
I use Bobbie Brown lip balm too, Raspberry shade.
xx
In a sentance: not me!
LM
x
My sons would not be seen with me if I donned black lipstick. It is cool for a party though but not to wear to the market or bank....
i think i'm into it. perhaps not a black matte lipstick, but a high viscosity gloss? yep! i think it would look awesome with smoky eyes and tight black jeans.
it just would not look good with my dark hair and pale skin-maybe for Halloween!
what?!
look of the season?!?!
I can't believe Vogue said that about something so particular, so risque. They usually always vary someplace in the neutral pallette and add touches. You know, like "bronzer" was the look of the 2005 summer.
Anyway I'm rambling.
I wouldn't say splurge, buy a cheapie black gloss from Wet&Wild or something.
I like the black lipstick and black nail polish, even though I agree the lipstick is way OTT, I still do like it. In saying that I wouldn't wear it, I might experiment with toning it down a bit to see if anything decent appears - I think it can look very harsh, especially on older people "past the first blush of youth" such as myself :)
Being a former pseudo goth I like black lipstick, but not with every outfits. It was made to create drama, so I think it has to match the whole concept of the outfit.
I don't know if I'm going to try it, but I would like.
Thank you my dear for your wishes about my health.
I'm much tiered, stressed and overwhelmed, so to prevent a breakdown I must slow a bit.
I think I'm not stopping blogging, I'm too addicted to it, but I would spend less time blogging, so visiting blogs will not be on a daily basis as I was doing.
Take care.
xoxo
Do I even get a vote, as a non-makeuper? For the record, I can't imagine this catching on. And would certainly never do it myself, unless paid large sums of money. Cahs.
I remember over a decade ago when I saw white lipstick in the drugstore, and bought it. I remember thinking I looked wonderfully tan with it.
The black would only work with a very made-up face, I think. And not for the faint of heart. I like the idea of darkening other lipsticks...I'm far too wimpy to do this.
Imagine black lipstick on one's teeth...shudder.
I don't know about black on the lips... but I LOVE it on the toes!
i'd wear black lipstick. the gloss doesn't appeal as much, for whatever reason. anyone can wear anything, or "pull" anything "off" (you know how you always hear ppl say 'i could never pull that off' etc.) if it feels right for them. it has nothing to do with how it looks. it's a matter of how it feels. i saw a woman the other day, she was doing a whole bunch of fashion don'ts and it was fine. she was being herself and she did it with confidence. yay her.
oh, so my vote is yes to black lipstick - i have a near-black tube somewhere in the medicine cabinet. bought it last year, or maybe even 2 years ago (yikes) and if i put it on now, i'll look (ack) trendy. boo
no to gloss, yes to stick.
I think that this look is sort of interesting; it's like what might have happened if Patrick Nagel did the art for a Misfits album.... pretty wild looking.
I'm a terror for new makeup trends I love them. I've already gone v dark with my lipstick but have yet to go black - but I would.
PS love the podcast - just to make you jealous when I worked in radio I produced a a programme on Stereo MCs, they were supporting U2 (who gave me 3 x 1 min 45 second live feeds only 'cos they were live on Radio 1), nice bunch the MCs.
I'd love to see someone at the streets wearing black lipstick !
in my opinion it looks fantastic on photos and on the runway !
why not wear it at the streets? :)
PS: i loved that YSL collection, but i didn't like the ad campaign they did to the collection with naomi :S
I don't think people are going to wear black lipstick, basically because probably it only looks cool on models, and if you go on the street with that, you'd look to heavy... I guess.
CC: I have black nail polish too, but as I'm not much of a lipcolor wearer now, even tame colors, I won't be venturing out to try this one, though I admire those who do/will.
Clothes Horse: The whole look is the key. It can work, done with the right look.
Kira: I'd like to see you try this! :D
WendyB: I bet most people will try it your way. That's the most appealing approach, I think.
Jill: Agreed, I like experimentation. I wonder if, in five years, black gloss will be commonplace?
She's: I think you speak for many people.
Suzanna Mars: I hope to hear all about how this goes.
MR style: Day? Who knows. I saw it on one person, and I think I could get used to it.
Skye: I loved that black-over-red look too. Solid black on me always made me look like death slightly warmed-over. I really only wore it for shock value, never because it made me look pretty.
Savvy: I hope so!
Psyche: I think most people would risk it for Halloween.
Songy: YOU feel OLD? Come on! I can't imaging many guys buying into black lipcolor, but you never know.
AsianCajuns: I hope to see the results of your experiment. Please post!
Sister: ha ha!
PT&E: I didn't think you'd go for this one, somehow! ;) It might frighten Edward's delicate sensibilities, I fear. Don't mind those art students, they were speaking "art," not "beauty."
Pamcasso: Agreed, I wondered about that. I suppose it's just another way to sell us something new.
Hammie: It does indeed sound just like "Vamp." But maybe the effect will be different. BB lippy is really great stuff, I've used it before. Apparently my Esteemed Readers have a BB fan club going!
Lady Melbourne: Awww, too bad. I think once, I'd like to see you in your super-sharp black-and-white, with black lips.
pve design: LOL! I can understand that bit about your sons. :D
Danielle: I'd like to see you try this, it seems like you.
Christina Lee: You know your limits, which is good.
Dana: I bet Vogue was just trying to sell the gloss, and it worked. Sold out.
bronwyn: Wearing the black as a solid would be better on the very young, I agree. Mixing it seems fair game for all the rest of us. I do like the look, but it will take some getting used to.
Seeker: You're right about the outfit being in sync with the black lip. It all has to dovetail together to work properly. I hope you feel better soon!
Sal: Of course you can vote! You have to look at it, don't you? I think this will have a phase, then go away. I like it, but I doubt it'll last.
Storialist: Ooooh, black lipstick on one's teeth, I hadn't thought of that!
Fifi: Maybe you'll get used to it!
editor: I think you're right here: it really depends on how good the person wearing the black lippy feels about wearing the black lippy. If they feel good, it can work well. I love when people do "don'ts" and succeed. (Thanks for voting! ;) )
I/M: Good one! I love your take.
Make Do: I'm jealous of your whole life.
Juaи +: I would, too. I doubt it'll happen where I live. No one's that progressive. Not a big Naomi fan, eh? I could live without that campaign, too.
atelier: We'll have to see if it does catch on.
i love how sister wolf is keeping the hate alive with black lipstick.
Nars used to make this gorgeous deep purple lipstick i'd wear, looked almost black and i loved it - but those dark colors have to be maintained throughout the evening! i'd do the gloss for sure.
I have a feeling it would be hard for the vast majority to work successfully. I think it could work well if incorporated with an entire look, but have a feeling that would limit any versatility for the lipstick at all. However I am quite liking the idea of black+colour, by which I mean a reddish black or blueish black.
I love the aesthetic of it but the practicality of it is that it gets EVERYWHERE.... black smears are unavoidable....
I'm one to talk about fashion practicality but still....
Not for me, but I cant wait to see any of you girls wear it!
I think its definitely OTT. The thing that discourages me the most about it is that its not flattering at all. Unlike dark shades like Mahogany or Dark Purple, Black lips just dont flatter skin tones.
Also, imagine all the looks you'll get if it accidentally gets smudged on your face! It will make you look dirty.
And another thing: there are some looks that are best left on the runway. For show purposes only.
I'm gonna have to pass on this. I don't even wear lipstick, let alone lip gloss! I just use Burt's Bees. The only time I've worn lipstick was the super red stuff for cheerleading performances and I hated it, but we had to wear it.
fashion herald: I do too. I think it's great that you'd try the black gloss. I wish you'd show us how it looks on a real person.
Dapper Kid: I'm sure you're right about the vast majority. I think black gloss takes a lot of chutzpah, and a particular look.
susie_bubble: It does? I never thought of that!
Siljesfashion: Somehow, I can't imagine you in a black lipcolor except for fancy dress! But you'd be fantastic in it.
Alya: You make a good point about this being a good runway look, but in the real world, it might not work so well. What I think is interesting is that we do what essentially amounts to a black eye, and we find that flattering. Hmmm.
KATLIN: I use Burt's Bees, too. I used to wear lipstick, ages ago, but not anymore.
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