The ultimate accessory combination for your face – Statement Necklace + Lipstick .

This picture of model Karen Elson from the late makeup master Kevyn Aucoin’s “Face Forward” book dressed up as Queen Elizabeth I,  just nails this whole idea. Except that her hair and dress are actually over the top, but who cares!! She looks amazing and SO confident in her deep red lip and statement necklace!

A bold lipstick and necklace are the perfect accessories for dressing up a simple dress or top without looking like you’re trying too hard. Of course there are lots of different styles and designs for statement necklaces and multiple shades and finishes for a statement lipstick, but once you find the magic combo, it just works.

Let me introduce you to a winning combo of two recent pieces that I have found dress up any plain tee or sweater just by fastening a clasp and a swipe of a wand…

1. My new favorite luxury lip obsession – Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color in #406 “Orient,” $38
2. Crazy good major necklace – The Amazon Bib necklace c/o Bauble Bar, $68

I need to give a minute to explain my extreme LOVE for this Armani Lip Maestro Velvet Color.  I don’t often get super jazzed about lipsticks, nor do I like to pay a lot for them because I like to buy SO many colors!  And I have never really found a formula that seems to earn a high price tag.  Buuuutt, this Giorgio Armani lipstick that I got a sample of during a Nordstrom sale, totally hooked me and made me order one for myself.

And I figure if you are going to buy a formula this luxurious, you might as well go bold with your color!  I chose the “Orient” shade because since it’s fall/winter time for beauty, a deep red wine is the perfect color choice. I wish I could successfully explain how lovely this formula feels on the lips – it’s seriously like silk and velvet wrapped up into one and glides and locks beautifully.  I even put a small dot or two of it on my lips and smudge it in with my fingers to give the most beautiful stain as well if I don’t want a full on opaque look. Trust me ladies, this is one fancy lipstick worth the price tag.

Shop the look :

Lipstick : Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in “Orient”   //  Necklace : Bauble Bar

So if you’re ever bored with our basic tee or solid dress…just add a not so subtle necklace and lipstick to spice things up!