If Kendall Jenner can wear bold lip color to the beach, so can we. Kendall Jenner in the So Chic Long Island one-piece ($99, available at Gooseberry Seaside) in Cannes.
When the above photo of Kendall Jennerin a hip-bone-baring one-piece with a bold red lipsurfaced, it ignited more than a tiny bit of jealousy. Sure, the South of France has given rise to countless covetable ensembles during the annual Cannes Film Festival, but there’s something about this image in particular that had us wanting to drop our day jobs in pursuit of the uber-chic-swimsuit-by-day/couture-by-night lifestyle.
However, the genius of Jenner’s seaside look has less to do with her plunging black swimsuit, her Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc-branded pool toy or even her very good Ray-Ban sunglasses. What makes it memorable is the perfectly painted red lip. A trip to the beachmay not seem like the ideal place for crimson lipstick – who wants to be bothered by frequent touch-ups? But by arming yourself with a good lip product and a few pro tips, you, too, can pull off the perfect poolside pigment, Kenny-style.
Beau Nelson, the makeup artist responsible for Kristen Stewart‘s face and her immaculate cat-eyes throughout Cannes, suggests finding a liquid or stain formula you like. “Stains and liquid lipsticks will last longest because of the pigment technology,” he says. “Follow up with a major dose of lip balm, because these formulations can be a bit drying,” he adds. When applying the product, Nelson suggests using a brush for precision or your fingers.
And as for a summery shades, he loves corals and neons.
Similarly,makeup artist Benjamin Puckey favors orange-y red shades and punchy pinks for this time of year. “I love Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in the beautiful, summery orange red shade Light My Fire,” he says. “Dior Addict Lip Plump in 556 Dancefloor is a gorgeous, watermelon-pink shade that applies like a gloss and wears down to a vibrant lip stain, andBobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Sunset is a summery orange shade that isn’t garish and gives the lips a beautiful peachy stain with one swipe and a bright orange stain with two. ”
Puckey is also a big fan of a matte look during the warm-weather months: “The Powermatte Liquid Lipstick by Nars is the perfect formula if you want a bold lip that stays put all day, and I like the way a matte lip contrasts with dewy, summery skin. ” He recommends swiping on the bold lipstick shade, blotting it with a tissue and then applying clear balm on top for a slightly more toned-down look. But for those looking to create a real seaside splash, Puckey says the “newcrop of lip colors that leave a stain on your lips are super-long-lasting and perfect to wear to the beach. ”
When it comes to finding the right suit to pair with your unexpected summertime makeup, take a cue from Jenner and keep it sleek and simple in a solid shade. Or, step up neutral shades with graphic polka dots or a tiny floral pattern.
Now that you know how to sport bold lips to the beach, shop 19 of our favorite bright-lip-and-swimsuit pairings ahead. We’ve matched a range of different liquid lipsticks, stains, solid mattes, tinted balms and more to a selection of the season’s best swimwear. Click through the gallery below to find your favorite poolside look.
