{Photo credit: Life Unexpected}
Whatever the season bold red lips are always in!
Red lipstick is the easiest way to look made up, in less than 30 seconds and anyone can wear red lipstick, the trick is to find the right one for you.
{Photo credit: Life Unexpected}
Here are a few guidelines to help you choose the right shade of red and get rid of the fear:
What’s your Undertone?
That new lipstick making your teeth look yellow? It could be that it’s the wrong red for your undertone! Take a look at the inside of your wrist, is the skin around that area pink (cool) or yellow (warm)? Do you look better in gold (warm) or silver (cool)? Black (cool) or brown (warm)? Once you’ve figured out if you’re a warm or cool undertone half the battle is done. (Still unsure? Try a neutral red such as: Nars Velvet Lip Pencil in Cruella or MACs Viva Glam I)
{Photo credit: Life Unexpected}
Bye Bye Flaky Skin!
This is crucial for any lipstick. Make sure your lips are smooth and moist, since lipstick will stay on longer and look better. Use a lip moisturizer at night that will also exfoliate as you sleep, so you wake up to nice smooth kissable lips. (Try: Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Lip Silk or Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight Lip Therapy. Both are enriched with ingredients to help slough off dead skin cells and to prepare the lips for lipstick wear.)
Line those lips!
{Photo credit: Life Unexpected}
We’ve all been there, red lips that have suddenly grown passed the lip line. Lip liners will help the lipstick from moving and feathering, as well define the natural lip line. To apply, start from the peaks of the bow and work your way out. For the bottom lip, again start from the center with the side of the tip of the lip liner and draw a line to one corner and then again to the other corner. For extra-long lasting wear, define and fill in entire lip with lip liner and apply chosen color. (Not too sure what color to choose? Try a Clear lip liner such as: Mally Beauty lip fence. Gives you invisible staying power and you can use it with any lip color.)
Use a Lip Brush!
Using a lip brush will provide precision and control as well, aid in blending. Plus, color will last longer on your lips. Start with a bit of color on your brush and apply to the center of the bottom lip and work your way out. Blot your lips together and apply color to the top lip using the tip of the lip brush, making sure not to go passed the natural lip line. Blot with a tissue to absorb excess color and repeat to build a stronger more intense color. (Use a retractable lip brush such as: Stila lip brush #6, to ward off any bacteria or dust from forming on your lip brush)
*Tip: A lip brush will get your dollar worth! You use less product and with a brush, that bit of lipstick that is left at the bottom and discarded can now be used right to the last bit.
Wear it!
Wear it for a week! As simple as that. It takes time to get used to bold lips. Wear it and soon you won’t be afraid! However, if your still not sure, try a lip stain or lip gloss or even a balm, and then work your way up to a lipstick. (Try: e.l.f. Essential lip stain marker in crimson crush, NYX mega shine lip gloss in Perfect Red, or Burt Bees tinted lip balm in Red Dahlia.)
{Photo Credit: Life Unexpected}
