How To Wear a Red Lip

Hi Everyone!

This morning, as I was getting ready, I wanted to mix it up a bit.  The easiest way to do that when you're in a rush is to wear a lipstick in a different color family than you typically wear day-to-day.  So I decided to go fishing through my lipstick drawer and see what struck my fancy.

I ended up pulling out a Rimmel London lipstick in Jetset Red.  I really love a true red lip, especially when done with a neutral eye, winged black liquid liner, and glowy skin.  It's classic.  It's elegant.  And it's appropriate for all seasons.

The only problem with a red lip is that a lot of people are terrified of doing it "wrong", so they never ever wear it.  (Justifiably so, I might add.  There are few makeup looks worse than a red lip gone wrong.)  So I thought I would share the "right" way to wear a red lip, in hopes that some of you may get inspired and rock a red lip.

Step 1:  Choose the right lipstick

• If you have yellow undertones (think Asian, Latina skin), your best bet is a true brick red, or an orangey red.  Avoid blue-toned reds at all costs.
• If you have cool undertones (think Scarlett Johanson or Emma Stone), your best bet will be a blue-toned red.
• If you're hesitant, wear a lipstick with a more sheer finish, like a Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple.
• A more sheer, glossy finish is also not a bad idea for the warmer months. 

Step 2:  Prep your lips

• Moisturize your lips.  Any chapstick will do.  You don't want to have any skin peeling or unevenness for a bright color to cling to.
• For a long lasting look, line your lips with a matching (or neutral colored!) lipliner.  Once lined around the perimeter, fill in the remainder of your lips with lipliner.  Once fully colored in, run your finger over your lips and smudge the lipliner into the lips.  Sort of creating a stain.

Step 3:  Apply Lipstick

• If you're scared, start with a little bit of lipstick.  You can always build up later.
• Don't forget to hit the corners of your mouth to distribute color evenly.
• After you smudge, go along the edges of your mouth with a Q-tip (or your finger, if you're lazy like me), and make sure that your edges are smooth and within the bounds of your actual mouth.
• Once all that's done, open your mouth and insert your (clean!) finger.  Suck on it the way a child would suck their thumb.  Pull out quickly.  The lipstick you just transferred to your finger is the bit that would later end up on your teeth.  You're welcome.

Voila!  You have red lips just like me!



Xoxo,

Cathy