Is it ever OK to match your makeup to your outfit? Not just coordinate. I mean go full-on matchy-matchy. This is the question consuming us today thanks to the sharp eyes at Gawker, who noticed that Paz de la Huerta always matches her lipstick to her dress.
In case you don’t know Paz, she’s an actress in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and did some indie projects prior to that. She has a reputation for being naked a lot. There’s an absolutely brilliant profile of her in New York Magazine which states, “Paz only wears black, so as not to detract from her personality.” Apparently that’s changed now that she has to promote her show and hit the red carpet regularly. She’s got the lipstick wardrobe to prove it. (I won’t comment on some of the other makeup issues she has happening in the pictures.)
I’m completely torn on this. Just yesterday I was admiring a pic of Anna Dello Russo on Jak & Jil in which her hot pink lipstick matches her Prada fur stole. Is that better or worse than matching it to your whole dress?
Designers actually use this technique on the runway quite a bit. Alexandre Herchcovitch took matching to a whole new level at his S/S 2011 show by matching the lipstick to every dress–including black, yellow, green, and aqua. The purple lipstick at the recent Armani Privé spring couture show was a dead ringer for the purple used through much of the collection. Do we give it a pass on the runway–because, you know, that’s all artsy and stuff–but not to the girl on the street?
I talked to Suresh, who is a celebrity makeup artist and owner of an eponymous makeup line. His Twitter stream (@SureshBeauty) is a must-follow if you’re the slightest bit interested in makeup. He posts detailed instructions, insider-y tips, and will often critique women he sees on the street for makeup mistakes. He does this all kindly and with a great deal of grace. He also recently posted that you shouldn’t match your makeup to your jewelry, so I had to get his opinion on this hot topic.
He was not quite as wishy-washy as I am and had this to say: “DON’T ever match your makeup to your outfit. It’s tacky, old fashioned, and not creative. DO choose colors that are a few shades darker or lighter. Coordinating is okay. Sometimes, choosing complementary colors (opposite color match of your outfit) works quite beautifully, too.”
Tags: Paz de la Huerta, Suresh







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I kind of love it sometimes! It depends on the outfit. It can make it look more modern and fresh when worn with simple shifts or architectural pieces.
i’m actually kind of into it. i’m really coming to secretly love paz’s style. i think because she’s a hot mess & her look is totally owning it. although, i don’t know if i can totally get behind the blue look, that might be a bit much.
I disagree-January Jones looked amazing at the Golden Globes wearing red lips next to her red Versace dress. What balances it out is the makeup on the rest of the face-cheeks and eyes…Rachel Goodwin, her makeup artist, is magic.
Paz is such a mess, I kind of love it.
People love to poke fun at fabulous people! Paz is AMAZING whatever she wears or doesn’t wear for that matter…
So funny, I was just going to send (@SureshBeauty) him a tweet to ask about this issue of lip color this morning. Wear Red for Women/Heart Health is this Friday and Valentines is coming up and I wonder what he would recommend for older women sporting red. Thanks for reminding me to ask him!
Paz is super hot! I loved her and then read that NYmag profile and wanted to gag….I’m not really into matching my makeup with my outfit.
hey kristen!
hey kristen!
hahah you’re funny
hahah you’re funny
Yes, but I’m a boy, and I’m wearing a twinset, so what do I know
Or you can match your lipstick, and your eyeshadow, and your bead bracelet with your coral pink dress as I saw a woman do today. Probably shoes too, but I couldn’t see those. Looks seriously weird, like crossing a line into crazy lady territory.
i love it when Alexa Chung did it, red dress, red lips and black patent loafers. only with red or pink though, nothing else. it makes the outfit pop so much more.
I’m have to say that I’m into it…I think that it actually DOES feel inventive and fresh, since it’s only now starting to recur after years of being a strict no-no. I agree with “A Plus Plan” and feel that the look is modern and plays well with the minimalist trend.
http://www.nataliedecleve.com/blog
I’m have to say that I’m into it…I think that it actually DOES feel inventive and fresh, since it’s only now starting to recur after years of being a strict no-no. I agree with “A Plus Plan” and feel that the look is modern and plays well with the minimalist trend.
http://www.nataliedecleve.com/blog
we are all for matching, red dress red lipstick equals grown ıp, polished and glamorous!
You would be! If you are wearing red, I generally agree. With blue – best for the catwalk! Paz looks horrible in the brown lipsticks, and the shade of red she is wearing doesn’t suit her – more suited to blondes i think.
I love bright coloured clothing and lipstick. But being platinum blonde I have to be careful when wearing bright lipstick as I can easily cross over into cheap hooker territory. So no, I dont match my red/pink lipstick to my red/pink dress.
I would never ever match the red dress with a red lipstick; I always choose something more neutral, kind of beige but not to faint, I don’t want to look ill. Plus I create intent eye- makeup with which there is no way I would ever use a bold lipstick. I guess it all has to do with the things we ‘ve been taught about elegance.
i kinda like it, but sometimes it can get 2 messy…
chek out some more disastrous fashion on
http://www.lifestyle4.com/category/celebrity-gossip/
i bet u’ll like it:D