How To – Red Lipstick

Posted on March 1st, 2009 / Filed under Beauty , For the Face:

Red lipstick is back in a big way for fall. Unfortunately, it’s also something a lot of women avoid because it can be difficult to pull off. And make no mistake, crimson lips demand attention — and they’ll get it. It takes a certain amount of confidence to pull off, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from it.  Anyone can wear red lipstick, as long as it’s applied correctly. Here’s your step-by-step guide to a scarlet pout.

1. Exfoliate lips using a bit of your facial scrub or a soft-bristled toothbrush. This will get rid of dead, dry skin, and make application even.

2. Apply a clear, waxy lip balm, like Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($2.49, at drugstores) or Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer ($3.29, at drugstores). If you use one that’s too emollient, your lipstick won’t adhere properly. Wait a few minutes and then blot to remove excess.

3. Use a lip liner that matches the natural color of your lips — not the lipstick — to line and fill in lips. Use your finger to blend and soften lines. This will help prevent the color from bleeding.

4. Using a small makeup brush, place a dab of lipstick at the center of your mouth and then blend it outward until you’ve covered the whole mouth. If you want more color, repeat until you’ve reached your desired level. The key is to add a little at a time, to achieve a softer effect, and even application. It will also last longer than one thick coat.

5. If you like, you can add a thin coat of clear gloss all over the mouth, or dab a tiny bit in the center of your bottom lip to make your mouth look fuller.

Suggested Products

Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Burnt Red ($21, gloss.com)
Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Cranberry Cream ($14, clinique.com )
MAC Lipstick in Russian Red ($14, maccosmetics.com)
Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Royal Red ($6.49, at drugstores)
NARS Lipstick in Fire Down Below ($23, sephora.com)
N.Y.C. Ultra Moist LipWear in Retro Red ($0.99, at drugstores)

Tips

  • If you’re really not ready for red lipstick or have very thin lips, try a red gloss instead; they’re sheerer, easier to work with and provide the extra dimension that thin lips need. Try: Delux Beauty Lip Gloss in Riley ($15, sephora.com).
  • Red lipstick should be the only bold thing on your face. Keep blush to a natural flush, skip bronzer altogether, and avoid dark eye makeup. Instead, sweep a sheer eyeshadow in ivory, cream or champagne — like MAC Shroom ($13.50, maccosmetics.com) or Stila Kitten ($14, sephora.com) — from lash line to browbone, and add a couple of coats of mascara.
  • Stay away from orange-reds as they tend to be the least flattering for most women, and can make your teeth look yellow. As a general rule, some dark-skinned women are able to wear them, but fair-skinned women with pink undertones should definitely steer clear of them.
  • Reds with blue undertones are the most universally flattering, since both warm and cool skin tones can wear them. They also make teeth look whiter, and brighten your complexion. Warm skin tones can also use brownish reds.
  • Red nails and red lipstick = overkill. Choose one.