Red Delicious
Just as you need to learn to walk in heels, we need to learn to rock a red lip. Do you think Gwen Stefani was born with that perfectly painted on pout? Just keep the following tips in mind and remember that makeup is not for hiding behind, it’s for enhancing what you’ve got and showing it off.
Find the right shade
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the vast array of reds on the market, so find a retailer with helpful (and knowledgeable) staff and ask for help! You have heard it a million times; every skin tone looks better with certain undertones in their red. In general, fair skin with cool undertones looks best with a blue-based red, while warmer toned skins can benefit from a hint of violet or fuchsia in their red. Olive and darker skinned gals look great in reds with golden, orange and even brown toned reds. A good rule of thumb is the darker your skin the darker a pigment you can handle (think wine as apposed to cherry) without being overwhelmed. There are certainly exceptions to every rule, however, so if a shade makes your skin and eyes pop then you’ve likely found a winner.
Consider your formula
Let’s not push your comfort zone on all fronts at once here. If you’re a gloss girl, then try a gloss rather than a matte stick. If you are a fan of the “just ate a popsicle” stain effect then dab the colour on with your finger rather than using a brush or applying straight from the tube. A matte formula can look amazing—I’m loving Lancome’s new Colour Fever Matte range— but if you have dry lips, a hydrating one is probably going to be more flattering for you. When I’m going for a more understated red I like to layer over plain Chap Stick. The colour goes on sheer no matter how bold it looks in the tube.
Take the proper precautions
A lot of makeup artists suggest using a matching liner to keep the lipstick from bleeding into fine lines around the mouth. I prefer to either use a product such as Smashbox’s Doubletake Lip Colour (lip colour and pencil in one stick) so there is no differentiation between the two. Or alternatively, lining with a clear or nude pencil after the lipstick has been applied, to seal the deal. It’s also vital to remember that red lips are not low maintenance. I’m not saying that they can’t be worn out to dinner or wine tasting, but you should anticipate the need to touch up and please don’t forget to check your teeth! Finally, keep in mind that this bold lip will look best when paired with a subtle eye and cheek. Your favourite nude shadow and a little definition from neutral liner and mascara should do the trick. You want the lips to do the talking with this one.
Already have a killer red shade that works for you? Let us know about it, along with any tricks of the trade you have picked up along the way to making the look your own.
By: Meghan
