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Makeup books, like Kevyn Aucoin’s Making Faces, music videos like Rihanna’s Wild Thoughts (or any Rihanna video honestly), and fashion runways are where we used to get inspiration for new makeup looks to try out. On top of these avenues of inspiration, now we have the source of most of today’s latest beauty trends, TikTok.
From the viral video-centered app, we’ve seen the “I’m Cold” look, “Strawberry Girl” makeup, “latte makeup”, and many more. Now the trend that’s got the makeup lovers drooling in the latex makeup look. What is this look about, you may ask? Read on to find out!
What is Latex Makeup?
Latex makeup refers to a number of makeup elements, like lips or eyes, that are made to resemble the shiny glaze of a latex ensemble freshly lubed up. The look is sexy, dramatic, and definitely not as hard as it may initially appear.
Regarding base makeup, you want to go with a fuller coverage, semi-matte foundation and set with a light layer of powder to give off the appearance of flawless but still lifelike skin. The rest is achieved with a series of elements that you can do separately or put all together.
Latex Lips
Arguably one of most fun and easiest ways to achieve the latex makeup look is via lip products. You can mimic the look of latex-covered lips with any color, but especially black or red for a dramatic, vampy effect.
Go in with a lip liner to match the color of whatever lip color you choose and trace out the shape you desire. For the glossy lip, there are a few ways to go about it.
You use a regular tube lipstick or liquid lipstick and go in with an ultra-shiny lip gloss to mimic the effect of a shellacked lip.
@victorialyn Latex lip combos!💄👄💦 Which color was your fav? #makeup #beauty #lipstick #lipgloss #latexlips ♬ Lo-fi hip hop - NAO-K
There are also a few products on the market specifically designed for the latex lip look to have a shiny appearance but be basically budge-proof.
Like the NYX Cosmetics Shine Loud Vegan High Shine Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Rebel in Red” ($12) or the Haus Labs Atomic Shake Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Cherry Shine” ($26).
Latex Eyes
While some people do use gloss to get the glossy lid look, it’s not recommended to use anyone that isn’t certified eye-safe on your eye lids. There are certain products, like the Danessa Myricks Beauty ColorFix Glaze in “Clear” ($20) that are specifically designed to be a multi-purpose item that’s safe on the eyes, lips, and cheeks.
If you don’t necessarily like the feel of a glossy product on your eye, you can mimic the effect with a very finely milled glitter eyeshadow that matches the color of your skintone exactly and spread it over the lid and upwards to the brow bone. To add extra dimension, use a matte eyeshadow in a deeper shade than the glitter on both sides of your eyes, avoid the center.
Don’t forget to apply some glossy, dark lashes like Falscara Wet FX Wisps ($7.99). These DIY lash extensions are drenched with drama.
@genthecreative My #glossylid tutorial using @danessamyricksbeauty #contentcreator #glossylidhack #makeuptutorial #blackgirlluxury ♬ About Damn Time - Lizzo
Latex Skin
For latex skin, the goal is to get the skin to look glassy without appearing to be greasy. This is where you have to be strategic about where you place the product, which in this case would be a dewy, not glittery, powder or cream highlighter.
Place the product, like the Danesa Myricks Beauty Dew Wet Balm in “Clear” ($22) or the Joah Beauty Crystal Glow Tinted Luminizer Stick ($13.99), along the high points of your cheek up towards your temple, on the curve of your brow bone, and on the cupid’s lip. Avoid the center of the forehead and sides of your nose to prevent the skin from looking greasy, unless that’s the goal, over latex-y.
Bonus Points
For an extra-wet finish, try out the Kiss Lash Drip 3D Drama in “Drenched” ($5.99) to mimic the look of a film noir star caught in the rain.
To add on to the shiny effect of the makeup on your face, go in with a long glossy set of nails, like the KISS Impress Premium Glazed Donut set in “Strawberry Glazed” ($11.99) or the KISS Gel Fantasy Sculpted set in “Black Skeletons” ($8.99), for an extra glam effect.
This look is also perfect to play into for the spooky season. There are a number of femme fatale costumes like CatWoman or Poison Ivy that can you apply this sexy makeup style too.
