How To Wear Dark Matte Lipstick Like Charlize Theron

At last night's screening of her new movie The Road, Charlize Theron exchanged her usual golden-girl makeup for a semimatte raisin lip that, with her waved hair, made her look like a silent film star. A shade like this can be hard to pull off, but not if you follow a few simple tips. To find out how anyone can wear a dark purple lip without looking washed out or harsh, just keep reading.

• Keep your eye makeup minimal and neutral—grays are best, but taupe works, too. Charlize puts her shadow in the crease so that she gets the impact without making her eyes look heavy.
• Keep your blush sheer and complementary. A light wash of flattering rose gold is your best bet.
• Use a nude lip liner under your lipstick — it'll keep the color from bleeding, and also give the shade a little more depth.
• Find a shade that complements your undertones — if you want some options, just click through the widget below.