Just like every girl’s LBD, you can’t go wrong with a classic red lip. Pure red lips can be seen everywhere, a signature feature on the catwalk, while the blood red, and the slightly cherry hue in matte, bring a twist to a classic look. Here’s how to make the switch from sheer gloss to red-hot lips.
Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick,’ says Gwyneth Paltrow. She’s not alone in that sentiment. Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese would never be seen without her scarlet lippy and pop icon Gwen Stefani’s favourite MAC Ruby Woo smile is her signature.
For many women, red lipstick is their flag of femininity, instant glamour in a tube, the ability to kick ass with a single beauty product and this season this powerful look is back in the fashion stakes. But are you ready for red lipstick?
After years of natural colours, nudes and sheer glosses, the drama of ruby lips can seem a bit intimidating. That doesn’t have to be the case, according to 2C Management makeup artist Liz Kelsh. ‘Everybody can wear red lips. Just be sure they don’t battle with the rest of your makeup. You need soft eyes, nice clean brows and just a bit of blusher. Otherwise you can wind up looking like one of those Robert Palmer ladies.’
Similarly, too much powder will give an unnatural effect but concealer is necessary because any pinkish blemish will be more obvious, while dark shadows under the eyes will be thrown into contrast.
Colour is key to making this look work. The shade needs to harmonise with your own colouring for red lipstick to work its magic. The right shade of red should make your teeth appear whiter, your skin brighter and your eyes sparkle.
According to the experts, a blush or berry tint will flatter fair complexions, while those with a hint of yellow in their skin tone can wear more brownish shades and women with olive skins can work the brighter, orange-toned reds. Dark skin needs to be balanced by depth of tone in the lipstick to avoid a garish effect. Remember that a tried and true colour can be mixed with the red to customise it to one that suits you. A hint of brown or fuchsia can be all that it takes.
Kelsh says not to worry about the rules too much, the best way to choose what colour suits you is to try it on your lips and ask yourself if you look well – or washed out. Her favourites are Nars in Heat, MAC in Red and Russian Red and Lancôme in 114 which she says is a real Cate Blanchett in The Aviator look.
Kelsh says a matte or cream finish is more stable, but a stain or gloss is more of a grab and go, user-friendly daytime version. For the fainthearted, a little colour mushed with gloss and applied with a fingertip is a trainer wheels approach to wearing red.
