What started with a photograph of a young Paul McCartney in a burgundy jumper that sent me running to Uniqlo in search of a dupe, has yet to end with my most recent purchase – a Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow stick in Mulberry (£29.50), a glimmering brownish Bordeaux that makes my eyes greener, my dark circles seem brighter.
Burgundy is everywhere in fashion right now, thanks to Miu Miu and Saint Laurent, but a makeup item is an easier, more instantly gratifying way to get involved. It’s also extremely flattering on almost everyone. Eye colours just pop against burgundy and garnet. And unlike most other neutrals, such as black, brown and navy, these reddish tones feel like a bold, almost edgy touch to an otherwise classic palette.
Nails are the easiest way in. Chanel’s iconic Rouge Noir (£29), a blackish burgundy, is always the reference point and looks as chic and tasteful as anything could, but can be made more trendy as a modern French manicure, appearing at the tips of a nude-toned nail.
Essie’s Shearling Darling (£8.99), another dark burgundy, is among my favourite toenail colours for sandal season: its blackened base renders it a neutral that looks tasteful against any outfit or shoe colour. It glides on unstickily and lasts ages, too.
Perhaps my favourite discovery on my burgundy odyssey has been Hildun’s Silk to Set Kajal Liner in Blaze (£16), a shimmering squashed-berry shade that is elegant, but makes enough of a statement for it be worn with no other eye makeup. I wore it to an awards ceremony recently, in a swooshy upper-lid line, and the whole thing looked way more effortful than it was – even when I arrived home many hours later. While £16 is hardly a steal, I do think Hildun’s kajal pencils fare extremely well against those costing twice as much, and last just as long.
People are scared of burgundy lips because they imagine they’ll give the illusion of darker teeth. Not so. As long as the burgundy is redder than it is purple, it will flatter.
Speaking of flattering, I’ve been saying since the early 1990s that Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, (£24), is the most user-friendly and universally gratifying tint for all skin tones – and now it’s gone viral. The almost transparent formula is an unchallenging way to “do” burgundy without making a show of it, and its sheerness makes it less winter glühwein, more summer sangría.
Coat: Rokit. Products: Victoria Beckham Fig Eyeliner, Bobbi Brown Mulberry Cream Shadow Stick, Vieve Mahogany Eye Wand
