The classic 'LBD' or little black dress is the quintessential black evening or cocktail dress, made popular by the likes of Coco Chanel. Fashion historians believe the classic little black dress has been around since the 1920s, intended to be a timeless style that never goes out of fashion and which can be worn for any occasion. As fashion guru Karl Lagerfeld once stated, "One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a little black dress". A timeless classic such as the LBD should be complemented by a classic and timeless hair and makeup palette. If you are often confused about what goes with your favourite black dress and are after some little black dress hair and makeup tips, then read on!
The Bold Lip
Little black dress hair and makeup tip #1: A red lip and a LBD will never go out of style. Amp up the neutral tone by popping some shocking red or coral lipstick on with matching nail polish. The contrast between bright and dark is eye-catching and playful without being too OTT. If red isn't your thing, try playing around with a bright pink or fuchsia lip. Begin by priming the lip wih a lip primer or a concealer, then line the lip with a lipliner in the same colour as your chosen lipstick. Finish off with lipstick or a balm if you aren't feeling brave enough for the high pigmentation of a lipstick. Find out How to Rock a Bold Red Lip! Combine your statement lip with a neutral eye shadow to avoid looking overdone by swiping a matte white shade over the entire lid and a taupe shade into the crease. Keep the rest of your face natural looking and matte also by using a foundation in the same shade as your natural skin tone, and a powder to set and mattify.
Polished Hair
A little black dress always looks polished to perfection with a sleek hairstyle. Combing your hair back into a ballerina bun or up into a slick ponytail is a simple way to look effortlessly chic as well as great way of drawing attention the your dress. Start off by spritzing some smoothing serum over towel dried hair and blow dry straight with a comb. Comb back your hair from your forehead and secure into a bun or ponytail. Finish off by straightening your ponytail with a flat iron and smoothing any fly-aways around your crown with hairspray. Get smooth hair with these few tips from Elle Magazine.
Smokey Eyes
A smokey eye is one of the most classic little black dress hair and makeup tips, as it is a timeless staple that always looks sexy and exotic; especially paired with a black dress. Try a different take on the classic black/grey/white combo and opt for metallics in tones of gold, bronze, champagne and copper. These warmer tones add a bit more softness to the eye and overall look, and can be more forgiving than the harsher lines of the more darker tones. Remember to start with the lightest shade first, blending all over the lid and the brow bone. Follow this by adding the mid-tone colour into the crease, and the darkest tone on the outer corner and along the top and lower lash lines. Blend it all with a clean brush and finish with black mascara.
