Holiday season is the perfect time to rock a bold lip. Whether you're running straight from the office to a cocktail party or heading out for Christmas dinner with the fam, pop a bold lip on a barely-there face to make you stand out in any crowd.

Here are the products you need:


As with any makeup look, it's best to start off with a fresh and well-hydrated complexion. If the winter climate is doing a number on your skin, read these 4 tips for a quick perk-me-up.

Prepping your Face


Start by priming your skin with a primer like Make Up For Ever's High Definition Primer in 0 (4) to ensure that your makeup will last. Next, even your skin tone with a HD foundation like Make Up For Ever's High Definition Invisible Cover Foundation. High Definition foundations are perfect for holiday parties as it photographs well and provides a very even base.


Perfect your complexion by concealing any blemishes and undereye circles. Finish off with a light dusting of a loose powder like The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation (7).

Swipe your favourite matte bronzer or sculpting powder under your cheek bones and a peachy pink blush on the apples of your cheeks to bring out the warmth and structure of your skin.

Dressing the Eyes


Keep your eyes defined but understated to make your lips the centre of attention. Start off by applying a light champagne eyeshadow all over your lids up to your brow bones. Add a light matte brown to the outer corners and the crease of your eyes for some extra definition.

Line eyes with a liquid product like Mary Kay's Luxury Liner in Black (5). Extend the outer corners slightly to create a subtle cat eye effect. Coat your top and bottom lashes with a bold mascara like L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black (6).


Fill in your eyebrows lightly with your usual brow powder, pencil, or matte eyeshadow.  There's your perfect base to offset these next 3 gorgeous bold lip options:

#1 - The Classic Red Lip

Where to Wear: low-key events


A classic red is bold and matte. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Lipstick in Ravishing Red (1) was the perfect shade for our model Caroline.

Start off by using a lip brush to carefully outline the shape of your lips. Fill in the rest of your lips by really rubbing the lipstick on your lips with a lipbrush. This will make sure your lips are bulletproof as it gets the lip product into the lip line and ridges of your pout. Reapply throughout the night directly from the tube.

#2 - Daring Darks

Where to Wear: trendy soirees


If you're feeling more daring, try a darker plum or wine shade. Application is the same as above. Mary Kay Lip Suede in Plum (2) is a nice variation on the classic bold lip and also really works well with Caroline's skin tone. When picking out a darker shade of lipstick, don't be intimidated by the colour in the tube. Always try it on the lips to see if it works with your skin tone.

#3 - Ultra Lacquered

Where to Wear: brash blowouts (like New Year's Eve!)


Another fun way to dress up your usual bold lip is to add oodles of shine and gloss.  Apply a lipstick lacquer like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in NSFW (3) with a clear gloss on top for an ultra sexy, glossy pout. If you don't have a lip lacquer handy, any clear gloss on top of your favourite lipstick will do.

Which bold lip look will you be trying this holiday season?