Red lips are my go-to when I want to dress something up, have fun with makeup, or want to go out without putting any other makeup on. Knowing how to create a beautiful, bold red lip is something every woman should have in their arsenal. This means also knowing what shade is right for you along with the best application techniques!
PICKING THE RIGHT RED
The best reds to wear have a blue undertone. The blue will make your teeth look brighter and whiter! Orangey reds have been making an appearance, especially during summer. The best shade for you will have to be determined the old-fashioned way: trying it on. The darker your skin tone, the darker shade of red you’ll want to pick. If you’re ultra fair like me, stick to a shade that’s vibrant and bright. Below are some lipsticks that are long-wearing and have great choices for reds! Be sure to look through them because each red is little different than the next.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RED SHADES OF THESE FANTASTIC LIPSTICKS!
RED LIP PREP + APPLICATION
Prep: Red lips can be high maintenance, but only if you don’t do the prep work first. The night before, I usually dab coconut oil (unrefined) onto my lips so they absorb lots of moisture. This step can be skipped, but it’s highly recommended. The day of, I use a one part olive oil to two parts brown sugar scrub on lips. Any sugar scrub will do, but I love the moisture that olive oil adds. I hope you’re noticing the trend that olive oil is very important!
If you’re looking for some lip scrubs on the market, this one and this one are fantastic. A lip scrub is a must-do step so do not skip! After scrubbing my lips, I apply chapstick and then go about doing my makeup. I usually wait 30 min to an hour for the chapstick to absorb some before application.
Application: I start with a true red lip liner. Any other color lip liner just doesn’t hold the color as well. I like using Clinique’s because they’re creamy and don’t dry out my lips. Clinique’s (in Crimson) is also super long-lasting and doesn’t bleed. This one from Maybelline is a lip paint and it’s fantastic as well. Another one I’ve been using is Kylie Cosmetic’s Mary Jo and that will last all day with no touch-ups! For this look, I used the Kylie Cosmetics.
I tend to over-line my lips the tiniest bit. I don’t have the type of lips that can be way over-lined and not look like I drew outside the lines. The way I over-line my lips is that I follow the couture of lips just right outside the natural line and then I taper the liner to the natural line of my lips when I reach the corners. My top lip is slightly uneven, so I use over-lining there to even them out.
Next, I go in very carefully with my choice of lipstick. After one layer, I dap with a tissue and then go in for a second layer. After I let the second layer dry, I take my index finger and pucker my lips so I can drag the finger through the center. I hope that makes sense!! Ultimately, you don’t want red on your teeth! If it’s dry out (or if I feel like it), I’ll add a bit of clear gloss in the center of my lips. I don’t drag the gloss into the corners of my lips because leaving it on the center will make my lips look fuller.
WEARING IT LIKE A PRO
Part of wearing red lipstick is having confidence. People will notice you. Red is a color that the eye naturally draws to. Most blogs and women center so much on what outfits to wear with red lipstick that they miss the biggest factor: confidence!! I am a firm believer that everyone can wear red lipstick. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Your skin tone works. Your hair color works. Your lip size works. It all works. The only thing that won’t work is letting your insecurities run the show.
Do I get insecure wearing red lipstick? Of course. I always feel like my teeth could be whiter or straighter. There are times when I put it on at the beginning of the day loving it and by midday I don’t want to wear it anymore. All these things are fine, but don’t let them get the final say of you having fun. At the end of the day, you wear red lips because you want to, not for any other reason.
