How to Wear Red Lipstick

Many of us wonder how divas like Gwen Stefani  and Christina Aguilera  can pull of the gorgeous red lips  of a Hollywood starlet, yet when us regular women try it out, we just end up looking like clowns.  The truth is, pulling off the red lipstick  trend is not as hard as it might seem.  It really can look good on anyone; the trick is in finding the right shade and texture for your skin tone, and obtaining the confidence required to flaunt your new pout!   

Helpful Tips

There's nothing that can light up your face more than brightly coloured lips! But on the other hand, red lips that are overwhelmingly brilliant can look a bit over-powering, which is why caution is in order when choosing and applying red lipstick. Here are some red lipstick tips that will surely help you apply this trendy lip colour  perfectly.

Finding the Right Shade

The shade of red lipstick that you choose can make all of the difference when it comes to pulling off this look successfully.   Consider your underlying skin tone when you choose a colour.  If your base skin colour has yellow tones, you will look best in a red shade that has some brown undertones to it.  If your base skin colour has pink or red tones, you will want to lean towards reds with a pink or blue base.

The Rest Of Your Makeup

Red lipstick makes a strong statement, and the key to wearing it is keeping the rest of your makeup  simple.  If the lips are bright, they should be the focus of the face. Do not go with coloured eye makeup!  Stick to the neutrals,  and only apply it lightly to your lids.  A translucent powder  evens out skin tone and looks lovely on your face, thus shifting the focus to your lips.

The Correct Application

You won't want the lipstick to run into the cracks of your lips, so be sure to apply everything in the proper sequence for a beautiful look.  Start with lip moisturiser  or good  lip balm  for nourishment. Apply a thin layer of foundation  onto your lips to help your lip colour last longer.  Lightly line your lips  with a lip pencil  in a shade closely matching your chosen lipstick.  Apply a thin layer of your red lipstick with a lip brush  for a smooth finish. Lightly blot your lips with a tissue  to remove any excess.  If you want a glossy look,  apply a clear gloss  on top and you are ready to go!

A Few Favourite Shades

No matter what your skin tone, there is surely a shade out there for you.  Here are a few of our favourites to get you started! 

Shanghai Red	Opium Red	Star Red	Red Tea

Related Guides

Check out some of our other buying guides for even more beauty tips and products! 

Cosmetics and Beauty Tools	Makeup Tips By Age	Organic Health and Beauty Products	Women's Style

External Links

• AddictedToLipstick.com: Check out this beauty blog for details on current makeup trends. 
• BellaSugar.com:  Read more tips and techniques on how to pull off the look.
• RealSimple.com:  Easy tips for wearing red lipstick.