Trend Alert: Goth Lips

Dark lips are the latest 90's trend to make a comeback and it's popping up everywhere, from designers' runway shows to many celebs sporting this look. What makes this look so attractive is that it agrees with any skin tone. Many celebs including Beyonce and Claire Danes have swopped out their signature red lips for deep burgundy and even near-black shades.

This bold look certainly turns heads but how does the everyday woman wear this look? Is this look appropriate for the office or should it be worn on weekends only? Dark lips are a powerful, impactful look, what keeps this look modern is ensuring everything else is kept healthy-looking and natural. With everything, the time, place and outfit makes a difference but if applied well and maintained, it can look elegant in the right setting.

If you're worried that this look may not be from you why not take a cue from your favourite celebs. Rihanna has been sporting this look a lot recently as well as Katy Perry and Beyonce. They keep it modern by playing down their other features.

Dark lips comes in a rage of colours to suit every skin tone, pick one that compliments your shade and work with that. Make sure the lip colour suits your hair as well as your skin tone. Always use a pencil. Darker shades are less forgiving and using a pencil will give you a symmetrical look, also apply lipstick with a lip brush for longer lasting wear. 

Keep your look simple by ensuring your skin is fresh and clean. If you're using a matte lipstick keep your skin fresh and dewy whereas a gloss lipstick would demand slightly eggshell, semi- matte skin. Complete this look by adding a bit of bronzer to your cheeks and a good mascara to your lashes. Another key tip to remember, if you have fuller lips an opaque lip would work but use a slightly transparent lips stain for thinner lips to avoid lips looking even thinner.

I have tried this look a couple times and I must say I'm all about that goth life.

My friend Zubeida sporting a goth lip

I'm all about that goth life

Beyonce in a deep red with a brown undertone 

Rihanna keeps her skin slightly matte with a gloss lip

Rihanna sporting a darker brown hue

Rihanna keeping it natural with a berry hue

A paler Claire Danes keeping it simple with neutral eyes, definitely can be worn at the office

A few colour options by Chanel

Weekend Getaway

Black and Gold Slippers - Charles and Keith/ Brown Boots - TopShop

This past weekend my sister and I went for a mini-vacation to Johannesburg, now and again we need a small break from the daily pressures of work and life. The trip started off on a not-so-good foot as our flight was delayed by an hour, we boarded only at 11 pm and by the time we reached out hotel we were exhausted, so much for a relaxed start! For my wardrobe, I packed warm. Every time I visit Jo'burg it's cold and miserable and this time was no different! Jo'burg to me is the New York of South Africa. Everything is much more serious and corporate and the same goes for the fashion. High-tops and hoodies aren't ideal choices when covering up, instead, fur coats and knee-length boots are a preferred option. Everyone's always dressed to the nines so I carried slim-fit jackets, my trusted Zara pointies, and my new favourite - my Topshop boots ( I had to bring a little piece of Durban with). Another trend I tried was the pyjama trend however I wasn't entirely happy with the way I styled it. I would have preferred to wear the shirt without a jacket and with barely-there heels instead of boots but there's always next time. I didn't get many snaps of what I wore and had to resort to selfies but here are the few I did manage to take.

Navy Top - River Island/Jacket - Zara

Top - Miss Selfridge/Jacket - Zara/Jeans - Guess/Pumps - Zara/Bag - Furla

T-Shirt - Aeropostale/ Denims - Forever 21/ Blazer - Zara/ Shoes - Steve Madden