Line lips before? Line lips after? There doesn’t seem to be one clear answer to this conundrum. I’ve always lined before applying lipstick and feel I get a better defined lip this way instead of using it afterward. How do you use your lip liner?

Anyway, I’ve been pretty drawn to fall colors this month and dark vampy colors are really making the scene or rather my lips these days. A duo that is dark enough but not too young for me is from the French Accents collection from VOTRE VU. It’s their French Kiss Moisture Riche Lipstick in Margaux ($23) and the Drawmatic Lip Liner in Sizzle ($21).

The lipstick is one of those looks-darker-in-the-tube-than-on-the-lips dark berry shade and feels so nicely on lips! Using plant waxes and vitamin E, this one goes on smooth and has a hint of vanilla mint to briefly dazzle the nose. To get the smoothest application, make sure your lips are exfoliated and that they are not peeling or chapped as a shade this dark won’t look as good.

I paired this one with the Sizzle liner is a dark chocolate that goes on smoothly and contains avocado oil to nourish and really keeps color in place and curbs feathering, which I need!

Admiring my lips in the mirror wearing these both, I almost feel like they are not vampy enough but maybe at my age that’s a good thing; I get my fix by looking at it in the tube but then get the real world look when I apply it. Thanks for keeping in check, VV! Both @ votrevu.com. 

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.