Would You Ever Match Your Lipstick To Your Dress?

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?

Author:: Cheryl Wischhover
Updated:: Apr 9, 2014
Original:: Feb 1, 2011

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

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

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There's a lot of debate in beauty circles about how matchy-matchy you should get with your makeup and your outfit. Paz de la Huerta took some criticism for seemingly always matching her lipstick to her dress, which we actually think looks pretty good. And there's an old school ladylike trend happening this fall, where we'll see more matching lipstick and nail polish. The beauty of makeup is that you can change it, and women have a long history of wanting to change what nature has given them. But can you--or rather, should you--change the actual color of your features?

By Cheryl Wischhover
Apr 9, 2014

Matching your lipstick to your nails has long since been considered gauche and out-of-date--sort of like that old cliche style "rule" about matching your handbag to your shoes. But as old-fashioned as it sounds, matchy-matchy nails and lips are actually having a big moment right now, here in 2013. Look no further than the recent ad campaigns for CoverGirl, Revlon, Michael Kors and Dior, or paparazzi shots of Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey for proof. Click through to see how you can try the trend.

By Fashionista
Apr 5, 2014

Last night I went into the Illamasqua makeup Master Class thinking that a bit of teal eyeliner is very bold and statement-making, and came out thinking that yes, perhaps blue metallic brows could work at the office. Illamasqua--“makeup for your alter ego”-- is a two-year-old UK cosmetics company with roots in the theater and alternative lifestyles. What this translates to in the collection is bold color, makeup that bucks any sort of trend, and an exhortation to express yourself. The line is launching exclusively at Sephora stores and on its own website this February. The brand held a demonstration last night at the Soho Grand to introduce its potential. Illamasqua spokesperson/makeup artist Alex Box, a charismatic Brit with scarlet lips, cat eye glasses, and a Cruella de Vil platinum stripe in her hair, led the class last night. She has worked for Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, McQ, Peter Jensen, and Gareth Pugh. Her work has also been featured in Vogue Italy, France, and Japan, and in other mags like W, i-D, and Another. Her demonstration was absolutely fascinating and she made a compelling argument for self-expression and breaking the conventional beauty mold.

By Cheryl Wischhover
Apr 9, 2014

Forget about Nars' "Orgasm" blush to give you a nice glow--go for the real thing instead. "Adult novelty toy" company The Screaming O (which has won a jillion awards for its product of the same name, a vibrating ring) has created a new line of lady pleasure devices that look exactly like the beauty products that you probably have stuffed into your makeup bag. Remember how that Feministe blogger had her luggage inspected (not a euphemism!) by the TSA, who left her the note "Get your freak on girl" after they discovered a "personal item" she had packed? Who needs to worry about that sort of thing? Enter Screaming O and its line of beauty product-disguised vibrators with a fashion-y theme. Tagline: "Come in Style!"

By Cheryl Wischhover
Apr 9, 2014