Surprisingly, a lot of women shy away from red lips. Never tried the look, or afraid of looking clownish? Red lipstick is actually more versatile than you think. You can go from a light sheer wash that flushes the lips, to a bold striking color that screams 'look at my gorgeous mouth'. So, you can go from Starlet to Harlot, whatever you are comfortable with!
There are an endless range in colors of red. You can find shades in the palest and softest of hues to the brightest and deepest burgundy and merlot. What you pick will just depend on the overall look you're going for. So, how DO you pick a red that is right for you? First, take a look at your skin tone. Is your skin cool or warm toned? Depending on what your skin tone is, that is the tone of red you will want to choose. Cool reds have more of a bluish undertone to them. These would be your cherry reds, pinkish reds, and purpley reds. Warm reds lean more towards an orange undertone, such as a tomato red, or brownish tones like brick red. Head to your local department store and cruise the makeup counter. This is the best way to educate yourself on the different tones and shades of red. Pick stuff that you like and swipe the tester on the back of your hand. Do they look more bluish or orangey? Do they go on sheer or bold? Are they light or dark? Compare several colors at a time on your hand. You'll soon be able to differentiate between the tones, and you'll get an idea of what you like. This is also a great way to test drive a color before you buy. Ask the sales associate if they have a sample of the color that you like. Since red is hot right now, and lots of cosmetic lines are coming out with new shades, you're bound to find a sample of something you really like.
Ok, so now you've got your lipstick picked out. How do you put it on? If you want just a hint of color, go for a simple wash. Make sure your lips are moisturized, otherwise the color will streak and be hard to spread. Simply pat on with your fingertips, or gently dab the tube to the center of your lips. Softly pat outwards towards the corners, so the color fades to the edges a little. Add a dash of lip balm or gloss for a fresh look.
If you want a bolder look, there are a few more easy steps. First, moisturize the lips. Bold colors will show any flaking or dried skin. Then use a lip liner. Now, you've probably always heard that the liner has to match the lipstick, but that just isn't true. Try using a NUDE lip liner instead! This will help even out the natural color of your lips, and allow more of the true color of the lipstick to show. Line the lips, then fill in. Lining also helps prevent feathering at the lip line. If you really have a problem with feathering, apply a little lip primer before you line. You'll have double the protection against any color bleeding. Next, apply the lipstick color. For a really precise look and even coverage, I recommend using a lip brush. This will help you get color easily into the corners and along the bow and lip line. If you don't have one on hand, don't worry. Just go slowly and carefully with the tube. Blot slightly with a tissue, then apply one more layer of lipstick.
Red lips look best with simple makeup on the rest of your face. Too much eye makeup or blush can look garish when paired with a strong red pout. Stick with a sheer blush, lightly lined eyes, and a good coat of mascara. If you do just a light wash of red on your lips, you can go slightly darker with your eye makeup, but again, don't overdo it.
Here are a few shades you might like to try:
Make Up For Ever in '43 Moulin Rouge'
This color is part of the 'Kiss For A Cause'. $1 from every qualifying red lip purchase at Sephora made before September 15, 2010 (up to $25,000) will benefit the Beauty Bus Foundation. The Beauty Bus Foundation provides in-home beauty treatments to terminally and chronically ill patients and their caregivers. For more information about the Beauty Bus Foundation, visit www.beautybus.org.
Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in 'The Red 04'
This color is part of the 'Kiss For A Cause'.
Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Sheen in 'Paramour'
Nars Lipstick in 'Shanghai Express' and 'Viridiana'
Hope you found this helpful. Now get out there and rouge those lips up! See you next post.
Love, b.b.
