Drawing Outside the Lines: Gloss is Back, Gals

At last week's Mac makeup sesh, artist Lesley Keane did something I hadn't seen done in a long time. Something I thought was a total beauty no-no. Something that actually looked really bloody good. So bloody good, in fact, that I did it myself the very next night.

So, what was it? She applied a soft, sheeny lipstick ever so slightly outside the lip line. Might not sound particularly radical, but done with a glossy, muted shade, and patted into place,  it worked really well for a slightly sexier take on lipstick. It wouldn't work with a matte, opaque product, but with that toned-down shiny finish it looked ace, especially paired with dramatic eyes.

So I decided to give it a go with one of Shiseido's new Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer lipsticks. Pout, €24, was my pick. It's a nicely natural, lilac-tinged pink that's soft and ideal for this because it doesn't carry too much pigment and gives a sheeny finish. I applied straight from the bullet, making sure to go outside the lipline slightly on the top lip only, concentrating on the cupids bow.

Max Factor are on the ball too, defining a new trend for spring summer: the impact lip. We'll be playing with texture and colour they reckon, so one of their Lipfinity Colour and Gloss products, €12.99, could work well for this too. Use the colour end to fill in lips, and then only apply gloss to the top lip, concentrating again on the cupids bow area.

What do you reckon? Will you give it a go?

Pic courtesy of Max Factor