Picture of Eva Mendes's Hot Pink Lipstick 2009-11-13 04:00:27

We here at Sugar HQ have decided that Eva Mendes never looks anything but absolutely beautiful. At a recent Calvin Klein event in Milan, Eva proved that the rules are meant to be broken. While her skin and hair coloring are more in the warm-toned family, the actress still managed to pull off a traditionally cooler-toned hot pink lip that had just the slightest glimpse of a coral undertone. Call it a bright poppy shade of sorts. What I like most about this look is that it's decidedly not a just-stepped-out-of-the-mall circa 1984 kind of effect. It's fresh, alluring, and very flirtatious.



To get my tips on pulling off a hot pink lip, just keep reading.

• What to Wear, What to Wear: Note how Eva wears a silvery-gray dress with her hot pink lips as to not compete with such a standout shade. The simpler the top the better.
• Matchy-Matchy: Keep the cheeks in the same color family as the lips to give the palette a cohesive finish. Try a cream blush, which has lots of pigment to keep the hue looking fresher longer.
• Mesmerizing Eyes: For a beautiful contrast, opt for just a touch of soft black liner and generous layers of dark mascara. Silvery shadow or a neutral bone or taupe shade will also be pleasing to the eye.
• Scared?: Too bold for you? Try a sheer formulation or gloss instead, but by all means, avoid a chalky or frosty finish. They can look dated.
• No Lines: Since this color is bolder and brighter, skip the liner. You'll get a more natural appearance as a result.
• Skin Tones: For fairer skin tones, think watermelon shades, and for darker tones, think brighter and bolder. If you're more on the warm-toned side, consider applying a soft coral gloss on top for a complementary finish.