Red lipstick is one of the most glamorous shades a woman can wear. The right shade of red can brighten a face, while the wrong red could overpower a makeup look and make one look gaudy. With the different skin tone and undertones in women, the right shade of red can depend on a number of factors, even the color of clothing.
When choosing a red for my clients, here are the rules I go by:
- Pale/fair and light olive skin tends to look better in cool reds, berry reds like cranberry, with blue undertones.
- Medium skin tones look great in brownish-reds.
- Olive skin looks best in yellow or orange-based reds.
- Dark skin can handle more intense color, like deep reds and reds with blue undertones. Fabulous wines, berries and brick reds look great.
- You don’t have to toss a red that is too bright or too dark. A too light red can be deepened with a brown or wine-colored shade. You can give a dull or too dark red a little pizzazz with a pop of gold gloss or lighten dark red with pink or beige.
- Also note that a lipstick’s texture, cream, matte or gloss, could have an effect on the way the shade looks on your lips.
- If you still feel red lipstick is too bright for you, you can ease into red with a sheer lip gloss or try a lip stain to gradually add color.
How to Wear Red Lipstick
- It’s best to pair bold red lips with minimal eye makeup. Keep the eye shadow soft or neutral with groomed eyebrows, precisely lined eyes and mascara.
- A bold lip color needs smooth lips. Regularly exfoliate the lips to prevent flaking and to keep the lips moisturized.
- Use a lip primer before applying color.
MAKEUP BY LUVIE 