Vamp It Up

It's almost Halloween...

and it just so happens that this season's hottest make-up trend is

GOTHIC.

The prospect of coating your lips in a ghastly maroon and caking your eyes in several layers of black everything could scare off the toughest of fashionistas, daring to try every new trend from the latest catwalks.

Cara Delevingne for Burberry and a model backstage at Jason Wu

Yet it doesn't have to be that frightening. Even a subtle slick of dark lipstick can transform you from your summery coral shades to a more fierce, mysterious persona.

It is advised to not go TOO Edward Cullen in the daytime ( you know, vampires shouldn't be out in the sun!) as it doesn't seem to work as well. 

 This look is perfect for the night.

Use a light foundation, usually about a shade or two lighter than your usual, and apply it neatly, covering your entire face and neck. Try Maybelline Dream Mousse Liquid Foundation in Light Porcelain Ivory.

Next, apply Urban Decay Primer Potion over your eyelids and use Urban Decay Sin over the base and Urban Decay Buck in the crease and up to the brow bone. Make sure it is not too heavy as too much can look over the top, as though you are actually going trick or treating!


If you are striving for a more serious look, apply a light flick of Barry M Liquid Eyeliner on your upper lashline and waterline. Skip this if you are going for a natural look.


For the lips, if you want a matte look, apply pressed powder onto the lips beforehand, to ensure the lipstick doesn't smudge and stays matte.








The best lipsticks I've found for the Gothic look are the following;

Nars Lipstick in Afghan Red

 Mac Lipstick in Smoked Purple

 Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipstick in Shade 04

 This is a lipstick I found in H & M for only £2.99, and it is a lovely shade of purple and will suit a lot of skin tones as it isn't as fierce as some of the above colours. 

I think it is a bargain if it is a colour you aren't going to be wearing regularly! The shade is called Lips to Thrill.

 Excuse my blinds and strange hand!

Taylor Momsen with her heavily applied black eye-makeup and the gothic inspired make-up for the DKNY show.

Wear your hair tousled and slightly messy to achieve a more realistic gothic look, or you could go sleek and pulled back if you're going for a more severe style!

Good Luck!

-R x