LIPFINITY

LONG LIVE COLOUR!

Hi I'm Caroline Barnes, Max Factor's make-up artist. Today we're embracing colour, in particular great lipstick colours. This spring/summer the catwalk was awash with vibrant shades and it was lovely to see the girls sporting lilacs, corals, reds and pinks. It gave you great optimism that's summer's round the corner!

While on the red carpet, we've seen a return to old-school glamour and a more refined, classic look. It was all about semi-matt bases and bold, red lips.

So girls it's time to ditch the bland lipgloss and experiment with lots of different looks just by using a different lipstick shade. It's easy and the great thing about lipstick is you can create different looks on a budget.

Today we're experimenting with the Lipfinity range. This range is and always will be an absolute classic. Max Factor was the first brand to produce a product like this – a lipstick that's very long-lasting. It lasts all day and the colours are really wearable. To prove that point one of these lipsticks is sold every nine seconds worldwide!

So let's talk about the range. One colour that no woman should be without is a timeless red. Don't be shy of this really strong colour – everyone can wear it if you pick the right shade.

Red is a great confidence boosting colour. If you've never tried it before, experiment at home and see what an instant lift it gives you. The trick is to keep the rest of your make up really simple, so the finished look is very modern and the lips are the main focus of your make up.

So I'm going to apply Lipfinity in 'Hot', I love this colour, it's beautiful against Simone's alabaster skin – it's so sexy and glamorous.

Before you apply the base coat ensure your lips are dry and remove any excess oil by gently brushing your lips with a little translucent powder or pressing your lips on some folded tissue.

You'll notice each Lipfinity shade features two coats – the base coat for great, long lasting colour and a top coat for extra shine and hydrating moisture.

Now we're ready to apply the base coat. The Lipfinity applicator makes it really easy to get a great shape. It's slightly angled at the end so it gives perfect coverage to the mouth, giving a perfect, soft cupid's bow. Take it from the centre and build the colour up gradually. This will help you get used to using a stronger colour.

Stretch your mouth and apply the colour starting from the edge of your lip line and fill into the centre. Pat your lips together to get an even coverage.

Before you apply the top coat wait 60 seconds for the base coat to dry. This is important because it ensures you get the maximum long lasting effect of the lipstick. You can put Lipfinity on in the morning and the colour will last up to 12 hours – even after eating and drinking.

Now for the top coat. Apply it as you would a normal lipstick and massage your lips together for a soft, hydrating finish. You can reapply the top coat as often as you like to give you that moist, glossy effect.

One shade you might not be instantly drawn to is coral, but it's a really beautiful colour and really on-trend for this season. It looks gorgeous with a tan because of its golden undertones meaning it's flattering for warmer skin tones. I've chosen the colour Luscious for Simone and the result is a playful, young look.

At New York Fashion Week a lot of the models were wearing pink shades. Pink is a versatile colour, if you team it with a very natural skin with a bronze-y hint it almost looks angelic. Or if you team it with a dark, smoky eye you get a sixties inspired rock chick.

I've applied Lipfinity in Mellow Rose on Simone's skin because it looks really feminine and girly.

Choosing a natural lipstick shade can be just as hard as choosing a darker shade. You want to choose a colour which naturally enhances the shape and colour of your lips and almost looks a little bit invisible. Lipfinity has got a beautiful range of natural colours to suit most skin tones.

My favourite for today for Simone is Glowing – it's a really lovely colour and adds a bit of a 'bitten lip' but looks very soft and natural.

If you're heading out at night you can afford to be a little more daring with your colour. This wine/berry Lipfinity shade in Majestic is a very sensual colour and looks great against Simone's pale skin.

You may have noticed I'm not spending time today talking about full make-up looks. That's because the key to carrying off great lip colours to keep the rest of your face fresh and natural. Groom your eyebrows and offset your lips with flawless, natural-looking skin and a lick of mascara.

Another colour we're seeing a lot this season is lilac. Lilac is often thought of as quite difficult to wear, but if you follow my tip you'll always get it right! Just go for a hue with pink undertones as blue can drain the skin – you'll find the pinks in the Lipfinity range all have these pink undertones.

It's a really exciting, rebellious, vampy colour and works really well. The colour I've chosen to use on Simone is called Coy, it's going to work particularly well as it'll contrast against the green in her eyes.

To celebrate Lipfinity's revamped collection Max Factor has launched a range of limited edition shades.

Lipfinity Essential Catwalk Colours have been created by Max Factor yet inspired from Max Factor global make-up supremo, Pat McGrath. She helped select the four shades which are all instantly wearable and extremely modern.

So for Simone's final look I've chosen Lipfinity Essential Catwalk Colours shade in Natural Burgundy. I adore this colour as it is purely natural and really enhances Simone's own lip colour and is totally wearable both day and night.

So I hope you enjoy experimenting with colour this spring/summer. Adding colour to your look really does enhance your mood and is a wonderful, affordable pick-me-up. Go on, be brave and give it a go!