The red lip’s classic beauty status is evidenced by numerous things; the sheer number spotted at any red carpet event, the frequency of movies it’s starred in, the volume of celebrities sporting one. Its place in history may as well be carved in stone.

But what about a blurry, slightly stained, looks-like-you’vebeen- sucking-on -a-lollipop version? A bright red that either doesn’t quite meet the edges of your lips or breaks the rules entirely and goes right over them?

Can’t quite imagine what we’re on about? Check out Marni’s a/w 2013 show – a rich, gothic, smudgy red lip that pays no heed to the lip line. Yes, it looks fashionably edgy on the catwalk pros but on us mere mortals? Well, we’re about to find out.

Evie Leatham (centre), Stylist’s Beauty Director says:

This look is hard to pull off without appearing downright wanton. I hoped that Marni’s blurred crimson lip would provide relief from a strictly lined mouth that requires a chunk of snooze time to perfect but imperfection takes just as long. I slicked on the colour and dabbed it down with my fingertips before using a cotton bud to blend the colour a millimetre beyond the contours of my lips, creating a hazy soft focus. The line between beautifully undone and creating a horrid mess is, er, blurred and I spent half the day trying to tidy it up before wiping it off in frustration. To be avoided.

Samantha Flowers (left) Stylist’s Beauty Editor says:

I only know one person who rocks a perfect red lip better than anyone else on this planet and sometimes I find myself rather awkwardly staring at her mouth. I’ve spent years applying red lipstick and then vehemently wiping it off because it just didn’t feel very me. But, a/w 2013 I thank you as this soft-focus version is laid-back, easy to wear and totally up my street

Anita Bhagwandas (right) Stylist’s Beauty and Features Writer says:

I like precision when it comes to make-up, so this is my idea of beauty hell. I can see the romanticism in this trend. It’s a little bit Courtney Love – all smeared lipstick and attitude. But it bucks everything I believe in when it comes to a red lip. Notably, that it should be perfectly lined, ultra matte and very clean.

Verdict

Some backstage trends are crying out to be recreated at home. Jil Sander’s pink matte lip from s/s 2011? LOVE. Stella McCartney’s cobalt lashes from a/w 2012? LOVE MORE. But this? Just no! Even Rosie Huntington- Whiteley couldn’t pull this look off and if she can’t, what chance do we have? Plus it’s sacrilege to mess with a classic red lip. This one is best left on the catwalk. Sorry Sam.

Thanks to boothnation.com

Trend on trial: smudged red lippie