Earlier this year, the boom in sheer, tinted lip balms was in danger of making the statement lip look archaic. But Taylor Swift never wavered in her commitment to a red pout (rumoured to be Pat McGrath LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in Elson 4) as a power move.
Taylor has always taken a rather classic approach to her beauty aesthetic, pairing her signature face-framing fringe with a cherry red lip, black winged eyeliner and a smidgen of neutral eyeshadow.
There has been the subtle seasonal upgrade – like the soft brick red lip she has occasionally sported this autumn – but nothing too radical. Until now.
For her latest outing – a girls' night out in New York City on 19 November – Taylor's lips were punctuated with an acid orange-red hue that is just about as statement as a lip can get.
Offset with a preppy black turtleneck, Gucci slingback platform heels, a calf-length black-and-white plaid coat and matching miniskirt, the bright hue was impossible to ignore.
It's a marked departure from the usual wintery makeup fare that fills our bingo cards at this time of year, such as frosted sugar plum lips, a swipe of merlot or the cinnamon hues that are currently trending.
But the fact that Taylor's lipstick choice is so unexpected only adds to its appeal. With its fluorescent undertones, it telegraphs fun and even though it's a bold hue, it seems less of a commitment than red. This clean, sharp shade is also renowned for magically making teeth look whiter and working effortlessly against any skin tone.
Keen to try Taylor's lip look for yourself? If you favour a matte finish, Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick in 53 Rouge Orange and Chanel Rouge Allure Liquid Velvet in 218 Envoûtante create a bold, pigmented finish. For comfortable glide and a hint of sheen, Nars Explicit Lipstick in Incendiary is your go-to.
Taylor Swift is clearly hard-launching in plaid fashion, having worn similar outfits of late - notably a Versace red-and-black skirt suit and a yellow plaid gown at the 2024 MTV VMAs. So is she in her orange lip era now, too?
Only time will tell. But we're earmarking her retina-burning orange-red lip as the new ‘it’ shade for party season 2024. Pucker up for the ride.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
