The Secrets to Padma Lakshmi's Perfect Nude Lipstick

Is it just me, or is half the intrigue of Top Chef the fact that Padma Lakshmi manages to look so flipping gosh-darn perfect in every situation and climate? Well, my pal celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose was so kind as to share a few of Padma's makeup secrets that we can steal this spring; he did this gorgeous nude lip on her for a Bravo event yesterday.






"We did 'statement nude' lips on her," Nick says. "Nude lipstick that looks too natural can be too casual—best to save it for daytime. A nude that's a bit paler than your skin can look unnatural, but that's what makes it more dramatic and gives it more statement." Hmm...Interesting. Here's how to choose a statement nude like Padma's: "The key is to have a hint of sheen and a tad of color like peach or pink in it; too matte would look pasty." And pair it with darker eyes and/or extra eyeliner and mascara, plus a pop of blush, so you won't look washed-out. On Padma, he used YSL Lip Pencil in Nude Beige and Tom Ford Lipcolor in Spanish Pink. "Line your lips with a deeper nude tone lip pencil and then blend the lipstick on top so the lip liner doesn't look too dark," he explains.

Another trick to keep in mind: "To make pale nude lips pop a bit more, try adding shimmery highlighter (like Nars Multiple Bronzer in Malaysia) above the V of the lips and on top of your lipstick, but only on the center of your bottom lip, so it catches the light and adds dimension." Use a small concealer brush to place it strategically.

The other makeup you see on Padma: Tom Ford Beauty Violet Dusk Eyeshadow Palette and Estee Lauder Pure Colour Blush in Hot Sienna.