It was punk rocker Dani Miller’s lipstick-smudged teeth that introduced Gucci Beauty to the world back in 2019, signalling the brand’s intention not only to push the boundaries of traditional beauty imagery but additionally to concentrate on daring, brilliant, beautiful lips. The make-up range launched with a 58-strong collection of satin and sheer lipsticks that quickly became handbag staples – Louisa Red, for instance, has barely left my sight since I got my hands on it.

Three years later and Gucci Beauty is as committed to big, daring and exquisite make-up as ever (see last month’s Cosmogonie show for proof). Continuing its mission to bring us the most effective in lip products, earlier this yr the brand launched its recent range of liquid lipsticks, Rouge à Lèvres Liquide Mat. With a cream-to-powder texture, the lipsticks are highly pigmented, available in a spread of nine vibrant shades inspired by sunset skies, and have a soft, matte finish. 

Liquid lipsticks can often be drying, liable to settling into lip lines and feathering out. With this in mind, Gucci Beauty formulated the product with an entire host of hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, in order that it feels comfortable and weightless on the lips – with no cracks in sight. 

To aid you achieve the proper Gucci lip this summer, Gucci Beauty’s global make-up artist Thomas de Kluyver – the person answerable for bringing Alessandro Michele’s otherworldly visions to life on and off the catwalk – shares his best suggestions and tricks.

Start with the lips

Lipstick is usually certainly one of the last steps within the make-up routine, but de Kluyver suggests making it your first. “A very good tip is when doing a lip-focused look apply your lipstick before you do some other make-up,” he says. “Start by applying a bit of little bit of color and you then construct the intensity from there.” Once you might be done with the lips, you may move onto the remainder of the face with cheeks, eyes and brows. 

One of the crucial focal parts of the face, de Kluyver says lips are his favourite area to reinforce. “What I find so great about starting with lip first is it permits you to create a balanced look.”  

Lip liners are helpful but not compulsory

De Kluyver says that while he loves using lip liners, it does depend upon the look he’s doing. “I also find the look of a stain with a blurry edge stunning too, so it really will depend on your mood,” he says, adding that in case you do use a lip liner, try experimenting with a unique shade to your lipstick for a two tone lip look. 

Summer is for experimenting with colors

“I feel it’s fun to try something that isn’t your usual shade,” de Kluyver says about hot lip looks for this summer. Recommending more “tints and tones” moderately than primary colors, he suggests a browny red or orangey pink. “I’m mad for a fresh, but just barely ‘off’ color.”  

His personal favourite summer shades in the brand new liquid lipstick range are 203 Mildred Rosewood, 114 Grace Cinnamon, and 505 Janet Rust. “Also 25* Goldie Red because the universal iconic Gucci red that matches all,” he says. “What I really like in regards to the Gucci shades is that they work on all skin tones. I prefer to think more about what I’m wearing and use lip colors as more of a fashion accessory to my outfit.”  

Don’t be afraid to combine and layer 

For those who can’t quite find the proper shade to finish your look, make it yourself. “Experiment layering different Liquide Mat colors,” de Kluyver says. “You may create your individual custom colors by mixing them straight onto the lips or create interesting effects similar to applying a darker shade within the centre of the lips to create a bitten effect.” 

One other thing he likes to do is ditch the comb or applicator and use the finger to mix the sides of the lip to create a soft blurry edge as a substitute of a harsh line.   

Take inspiration out of your beauty icons

“I remember certainly one of the primary fashion images I actually loved was one by Juergen Teller of Kristen McMenamy and he or she wears this blue-green lipstick. It really challenged my idea of what a classic lipstick was and made me realise you possibly can really use unique colors and still look so chic,” he says. 

He also finds the classic 90s brown and nude pink shades irresistible – the last word lipstick inspiration. “I really like the lip looks that actresses Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore used to wear on the red carpet,” he says. “Musicians like Mary J Blige, Missy Elliot and Aaliyah all the time had great looks as well.”  

Ultimately, just have a good time with it

The most important tip that de Kluyver gives is that, ultimately, just be yourself, don’t be afraid and have a good time with it. “Make-up is such a fun tool to specific yourself with and it washes off. I don’t feel it’s essential be afraid of anything,” he says. “I actually feel like there are not any mistakes in the case of lips. Wear it how you wish! It’s only make-up and it’s best to just be yourself.”