Burgundy Lips Are The Easiest Way To Appear Party-Ready In No Time

A red lip is a classic this time of year—well, any time of year, really. But for something that's less obvious, a deep burgundy shade feels much more sophisticated, understated, and—dare we say—intoxicating. 

Burgundy, the color, gets its name from Burgundy, the wine, which gets its name from Burgundy, the region in France. It mimics the full-bodied, deep reddish hue of the vino. And just like the wine itself, it has a distinct air of luxury. 

The most important thing about wearing any reddish lip color (that includes burgundy, plums, maroons, pinks, and the like) is to cover up any red or pink present elsewhere on the skin. This is because the moment you apply your red-hued lip color, it'll make any redness elsewhere on the skin stand out. For some people that means adding a wash of foundation to create a clean canvas. For others, it's as simple as concealing around the nose or any blemishes. And for some it's of no concern at all! 

Then you can move on to the lips: As with any pigmented lip, you must practice proper lip care prior to application. Nothing ruins a lipstick faster than flakes or raisin-like patches. Gently buff and exfoliate the lips, which will create a smooth canvas for you to later paint on. Then follow that with a hydrating, supple, and nonsticky lip moisturizer.

Then on to liner: Not everyone wants to wear a lip liner, but I highly recommend it for a hue such as this—especially if you have fine lines around the mouth. Fine lines give the opportunity for lip pigment to bleed into the surrounding skin, resulting in a feathering effect that can worsen as the night goes on. But using a waxy, sturdy lip liner can help create a barrier around the mouth and keep the color in its place. 

Now you're ready for the lipstick of choice. Lots of brands came out with rich, burgundy-hued lip products this season, from soft stains to vinyl-like lacquers. My personal favorite is RMS's brand new Legendary Serum Lipstick in Angela or Monica (or any of the shades, really). The product is the perfect in-between formula, mixing the best characteristics of a lip stain with the lasting hydration of a serum. 

Other top brands have come out with delightful options as well. VIOLETTE_FR's Petal Bouche in Cerise Désir is a richly pigmented liquid lipstick that's unbelievably chic. Ami Cole just added a new cranberry shade to their Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil called Romance. And finally, Tatcha debuted their annual limited edition shade of their cult-fave Kissu Lip Mask—and it's a succulent, juicy berry called Deep Wisteria.

Finding a burgundy you love is a personal endeavor—some folks like their options closer to plum, while others something closer to a true red. A good universal option is to use shades that have slightly blue or purple undertones (which most burgundy shades do anyway, so don't fret). This can help your smile appear brighter. The reason why is simple color theory: Blue and purple cancel out the appearance of yellow and orange stains on the teeth.