Here are a few basic rules for perfect red lips
Red lipstick is the essential, classic item of make-up. It is been having having a major revival for a quite a while. Worn by teenagers, film stars, grannies, shopping assistants, fashionistas, models etc… it is pretty much everywhere.
There is a multitude of shades, textures to choose from, matte, shiny, semi permanent, semi lipstick. Red lipstick can be a bit scary particularly if it is the wrong shade and can have unfortunate results like making your teeth look quite yellow.
Red lips beginners If you are a nervous about application or think it may not be right for you, try transparent colours like Chubby Sticks in Two Tuns Tomato from Clinique £ 17.00 at John Lewis.com or Lipstick Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Red Sunrise £7.99 at Superdrug. These colours are very easy to apply and can be used lightly to get a transparent layer of red or a can be built up for a stronger red shade.
Blondes should look for orange-red colours. As a general rule most blondes should go orange-red lipstick shade. If you are tanned beware as red can look a little over-done so easy does it and you might find that a tinted lip balm works better.I recommend Lady Danger from Mac (£14.00), a shade which is on trend, a lovely colour with a satin finish.
Stay away from deep reds if you have thin lips as red will make them look smaller, which is ageing and gives a pinch, mean look.
Create the right balance. Red lips look great with minimum eye makeup. Go for statement red lips by adding some mascara, a light shade on the eye lid, or a small smudged grey/brown line to enhance the lashes tickness, just like gorgeous Alexa Chung. A simple cat flick, mascara and red lips combination will look great for a vintage look.
Don’t throw away a red lipstick that is not the right one for you. Add a little gloss or lip balm to lighten the colour or apply very lightly to just stain the lips.
Match your blusher to your lipstick. Dot a little bit of the lipstick on your cheeks, then blend it very carefully with your fingers, if the colour is very high in pigment use the tiniest bit of foundation to soften the effect.
How to draw perfectly shaped lips Precise application is important so use a good quality lip brush. The lipstick end is bullet shape so with a little practice you can achieve great results. If you want a softer, relaxed look use a cotton bud to soften the edges. For a very soft stained look finger application works best.
Make it last.First apply a fairly thick layer of lip balm preferably without Petroleum jelly (which can dry lips in the long run), leave it for 5 min, wipe it off with a tissue and using soft toothbrush, brush the lips to remove all the dry flaky bits of skin. Apply the lipstick, blot with a piece of tissue and re-apply. Another solution is to use a semi permanent shade, which have fantastic stay-on powers.
Don’t use red lip liner. If it doesn’t match your lipstick perfectly, you’ll will have a darker surrounding line, never a good look! You can use a red liner if its exactly the same shade.
If you are using a lip liner, use a nude natural shade that iss close to your natural lip colour and use it to outline your lips to even out their shapes.
Prevent “bleeding.” Apply a little concealer around the border of your mouth or use a lip primer.
Mac lip primer £ 12.50
Avoid getting lipstick on your teeth. After applying, put your finger in your mouth, purse your lips around it, then slowly pull it out to remove the excess colour. Another trick is to put a very small amount of Vaseline on the front upper teeth, not very nice but extremely effective for red lipstick with added gloss which can bleed on the teeth.
Now you have no excuse, you can wear on trend red lipstick with confidence…
AM xx