10 Ways to use GOSH 'Darling' (or any other 'Too Pale' Lipsticks)

Way back when I first started blogging...ok, so almost one year ago, I saw a few people nattering on about GOSH 'Darling'. How it had been one of those products everyone had loved for a while, then 90% of them realised it didn't really work for them. A few ended up in blog sales, in the bin, collecting dust...Jane over at Modesty Brown was kind enough to send me hers after I commented that my Superdrug didn't stock it and I was curious to try it out. Now, since I'm not *super* pale, I can't rock the pale lippies straight from the bullet, so I started playing with GOSH 'Darling' to see how exactly I could use pale lipsticks with them making me look awful...

[[ TOP: Barry M 145 + GOSH 'Darling'. BOTTOM: 17 'New Black' + GOSH 'Darling' ]]

1. To pale down dark lipsticks.
Once Autumn/ Winter is over, my lips rarely see dark shades until they come back 'on trend' 12 months later. A great way to get some use from them all year around is to mix them with a pale lipstick to make a shade which is wearable.

2. To make bright lipsticks more pastel.
I'm sure we've all done it - bought a bright lippy which doesn't quite suit us or we don't have the balls to wear. Instead of giving it away, turn it into a pastel by mixing it with a pale lipstick. Perfect for Spring/ Summer!

[[ Topshop 'Crushed Berry' and 'Neon Rose' cream blushes mixed with GOSH 'Darling' ]]

3. To tone down cream blush.
Occasionally I spot cream blushes which I know I would have to blend into oblivion for them to work with my skintone. Instead of passing said cream blushers by, I mix them with a pale lippy to make them more wearable. If you use a gloss finish/ moisturising lipstick, it makes the cream blush easier to blend into your skin, too.

4. To highlight cheekbones.
If you're not such a pro at blending, only use a lipstick a few shades lighter than your foundation, otherwise you might end up looking like Adam Ant. Otherwise, mix the lippy with your foundation and then apply it.

5. To highlight the centre of the lips.
Dab the pale colour into the centre of the lips to make them instantly look fuller and more youthful.

[[ OCC 'Hoochie' and 'Anime' lip tars mixed with GOSH 'Darling' ]]

6. To mix with liptars.
Sometimes I just don't feel like wearing 'Hoochie' and 'Anime' in their full eye blindingly bright glory, I apply my pale lippy and then rub the tiniest amount of lip tar into them for a less, um...neon effect.

7. To mix with pigments.
In general I'm not a huge fan of wearing dry pigments on the lips, but mixing a little with a moisturising lipstick results in a comfortable, soft finish. You can of course, also wear the resulting mix as a cream blush or highlighter.

8. With a tan, bronzer, gloss and metallic eyes.
The best way to counteract the 'dead lips' effect of a pale lipstick is to make sure the rest of your face looks anything but dead! The most effective way is to tan or wear a foundation a *touch* deeper than your regular choice (blend, blend, blend), matte bronzer under your cheekbones, shimmery bronzer over your cheekbones and a metallic eyeshadow look with natural looking lashes and well polished eyebrows. A touch of warm, neutral gloss would also help! Think Versace and Kisa.

[[ Lips - MAC 'Honeylove' and GOSH 'Darling' ]]

9. With dark smokey eyes, gloss and a deep contour.
My favourite way of all ten - pale lipstick right from the tube with eyes as dark as possible. I LOVE dramatic looks and this is perfect for a night out. Wear your usual foundation, a matte contour under the cheekbones/ jawline (if you like), a hint of cream blush over the apples of the cheeks (the slightest amount), dark eyeshadow in any style, defined eyebrows and heavy mascara. Top off with your lipstick and neutral gloss. Think Diane Von-Furstenburg and Gucci.

10. In a 'retro' kinda way.
Pale lips were big news in the sixties and seventies. The sixties saw deep, defined creases, bold eyeliner and falsies galore finished with pale lips (think Twiggy) and the style has started coming back recently - probably thanks to Adele. The seventies saw polished skin, glowing highlights, pale coloured eyeshadow, pink/ peach cheeks and pale lips (think NARS...then keep thinking NARS.)

I also use Barry M 'Palest Lavender', Barry M 'Marshmallow' and MAC 'Creme d'Nude' in these same ten ways :) How do you use pale lipstick? Which do you own?

(P.S) Sorry about how sketchy my pics have gotten recently, I keep playing with camera settings and either not putting them back before blog pics or messing with them even more!