She surprised us all in 2024 by swapping her signature heavy glam for bare-faced beauty, but Pamela Anderson continues her gentle return to makeup. The actress has been experimenting with more dramatic beauty looks recently, and she's just showed off a gorgeous new lip look at the CFDA Fashion Awards.
Last night, in New York, Pamela looked incredible as she walked the red carpet for the awards. Her skin was kept pared-back, as were her eyes, with just a light coat of mascara. Her lips, however, stole the show, with a cherry ‘bitten’ lip that added instant freshness to her look.
Don’t worry, Pamela’s pout is perfectly intact. The name might sound painful, but the ‘bitten lip’ is actually just a growing makeup trend that refers to a softly flushed, rush-of-blood look (think à la Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights).
‘It’s all about bringing out your lips natural colour,’ says Sasha Ghodstinat, Head of Artistry at Code8. For that ‘just-bitten’ effect, she explains, the colour will be richer at the centre of the lips, before diffusing outwards for a softer finish at the edges.
The beauty of the bitten-lip effect, she tells us, is the effortless feel. ‘A very defined, heavily lined lip creates a more structured statement, whereas a bitten lip allows your natural lip shape to come through.
‘It’s a lovely example of less is more,’ she adds. Not only does it work beautifully with Pamela’s pared-back aesthetic, but as Sasha explains, it lifts mature complexions, too. ‘That little injection of colour brings freshness to the face and brightens the complexion without feeling overpowering. It gives you an awakened look.’ A benefit we can always very much appreciate.
The key to this look, according to Sasha, is carefully selecting a shade that suits your natural colouring. Use your natural lip colour as a guide. Think soft reds or rosy hues.
Sasha recommends opting for a lip liner, but not in the way you might expect. ‘I’d use Code8’s Frida lip liner, not to outline, but instead swept lightly across the lips,’ she says. ‘I’d concentrate the colour towards the centre, then blend it with a fingertip to soften the colour and diffuse the edges.’
Code8 Beauty Lip Surrealist Lip Liner in Frida
‘The trick is to keep the colour within your natural lip line and gently tap along the border with a clean fingertip. You want a softened edge, rather than colour smudged beyond the lips. Start with a little product and build gradually so you stay in control,’ she explains.
Pammy’s ageless look is taken to the next level simply by adding a little shine. ‘Finish with a small amount of Spyglass lip oil,’ recommends Sasha. ‘When applying, concentrate it towards the centre of the lips for a fresh sheen. Keep the oil light around the edges to keep it looking polished. The result should feel comfortable, fresh and beautifully effortless.’
Code8 Glazé Universal Lip Gloss in Spyglass
Consider us influenced once again, Pamela.
