Some of us crave the summer sun and relish in its freckle-forming glory. Others, like myself, delight in the darker months, when colour palettes turn distinctly autumnal and otherwise pallid complexions become luminescent in the hazy moonlight.
The vampire aesthetic has never been more popular than in the 90s. Close cousins with Wiccan-core, it’s filled to the brim with dramatic reds, deep burgundies, lilacs, purples, forest greens and – of course – pitch black. Yet recent years have witnessed its quiet comeback, as Zillennials yearn for Twihard nostalgia.
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Anything that brings shadow-slinking drama is welcome, and essential contemporary reference points include Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1998), Charmed (1999), True Blood (2009) and Twilight (2008). Vampire-inspired looks borrow from goth denominations, naturally, but have a softer, vignette-tinted finish. The modern vampire is more romantic than deathly, tinged with rose petals and red wine.
While some vampire enthusiasts may delight in bat-like winged eyeliner and darker than night hair dye, I believe in the power of a vampy lip. You could leave the house entirely bare-faced but for a deep berry gloss and still comfortably look and feel like a vintage-inspired vampire.
Fragrance layering may be in, but vampy lipsticks require a return to lipstick layering.
You won’t get your dream shade on your very first try, but layering with balms, glosses, and liners helps to create vampire-approved depth, while building on colour will certainly help you achieve aesthetic perfection. My favourite, daytime-appropriate look while testing a series of lipsticks came from combining e.l.f’s O FACE Satin Lipstick in Own It with Gisou’s latest honey-infused lip oil in Milky Mocha.
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Chanel Rouge Allure in Noir
It simply doesn’t get any better than a Chanel Rouge - and this vintage Noir shade is oh-so 90s, and perfect for paler skin. Offering a second-skin texture thanks to the highly nourishing formula, Noir is a deep, gothic cool-toned berry shade which adds a touch of drama to any look.
Buy now £46.00, Selfridges
Glossier Ultralip in Cranberry
Glossier’s Ultralip in Cranberry is the perfect blend of balm, gloss, and lipstick – serving as an everyday hero for pale skin. With its buildable formula and rich, mixed berry hue, it offers a fresh pop of colour without the heaviness of traditional lipstick.
The nourishing ingredients hydrate and plump lips, leaving them feeling soft all day and looking like you’ve just eaten a punnet of delectable blackberries.
Buy now £22.00, Glossier
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick Moisturizing Colour Lipstick in Play
For a luscious, highly pigmented colour and an ultra-glossy finish, look no further than Victoria Beckham Beauty’s ‘Posh’ Lipstick in the colour Play.
The star spent most of the 1990s and early 2000s sporting perfect nudes and deep brown lipsticks – Play feels like an ode to such shades, with a deep berry twist for paler complexions.
Buy now £37.00, Victoria Beckham Beauty
Haus Labs Le Monster Lip Crayon Vegan Lipstick and Lip Liner 1.4g
Say hello to my go-to shade for deepening and dramatising any lip combo. The matte, sumptuously soft and subtly brown hue is oh-so 90s and instantly makes me feel like I belong on the set of Charmed. Paired with Dior Addict’s Stellar Gloss in 754 Magnify, and I feel like a romantic, witchy vampire.
Buy now £23.00, Sephora
Haus Labs PHD Hybrid Lip Oil
You can count on Lady Gaga to produce cutting-edge beauty buys. Haus Labs, a brand founded by the singer, has developed a covetable lip oil available in cherry, berry, orange and pink shades for all colour lovers. The award-winning makeup staple delivers a sheer tinted touch complete with lightweight hydration and a non-sticky shine, meaning your poker face is always on point.
Buy now £24.99, Haus Labs
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry
Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick is great if you’re someone who likes a little variety. At this price, it’s easy to pick up a few of these shades to alternate between days.
Despite their budget-friendly price tag, these lipsticks provide impressive, smooth colour with a slick, moisturising finish. Formulated with micro-fine pigments for high-impact colour, this soft, creamy shade is boosted with vitamins A, C and E as well as silk-enriched moisturisers.
Buy now £5.75, Amazon
Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum
Perfect for layering, this mocha-hued lip serum is fuss-free and far from sticky. I find that it complements every red lip, from the deep, berry hues to lilac cool tones – making every look that little bit more darkly vampiric.
Buy now £19.00, Space NK
Too Faced Cloud Crush Whipped Lip & Cheek Colour in Bed of Roses
A distinctly lilac-infused reddish lipstick, I love how this ultra-soft and cushioned product can be layered. It offers a blurred, soft-focus and hydrating finish, can be dabbed on your cheeks for a quick colour boost, and blends incredibly well with dark glosses for autumnal looks.
Buy now £22.00, John Lewis
Dior Addict Stellar Gloss in 754 Magnify
This highly pigmented gloss from Dior Addict may look pretty and pink, but it has deep, dark berry undertones that make it look as though you’ve devoured an entire punnet of blackberries. I love layering it with a classic red lip for drama, but it also provides a just-bitten look if worn solo.
Buy now £36.11, Amazon
e.l.f O FACE Satin Lipstick in Own It
A value-for-money option for vampires on a budget, e.l.f’s O FACE lipstick is one I reach for time and time again. It goes on balmy and smooth and retains its pigmented base even when layering with glosses or other lipstick hues. ‘Own It’ is a cool red that I think complements both paler and darker complexions alike beautifully. I often layer it with a brown-tinted gloss for an extra-vampy aesthetic.
Buy now £10.00, e.l.f
