A bold red lip is a great way to brighten up a lacklustre outfit, mood or day. Instantly.
But getting it right can take a little insider know-how.
Here at bh, we’ve gone through more lip colours than we can count. We fancy ourselves as experts, which is why we’re comfortable answering those questions that every woman asks before she rocks a bold lip…
What shade of red do I choose?
If you’ve ever trawled the make-up section of a department store (ha!), you’ll know there are many, many different shades of red. But luckily, there’s a sure-fire way to narrow your choices down: stick to hues that match your skin tone.
Fair skin: True reds
Olive skin: Pink or orangey reds
Dark skin: Wine or purple reds
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How do I prepare my lips?
Before you swipe on a bold lippy, make sure your lips are well hydrated. If your lips are a little on the dry side, the colour can catch in the creases and end up looking flaky. To counteract this, apply a thin layer of Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm to your lips before you apply lipstick. The beeswax, coconut oil and lanolin in the balm will form a protective coating and prevent your lips from dying out.
Will the colour feather?
Unfortunately, red lipstick is prone to feathering. That’s why ‘they’ invented lip liner! Choose a lip liner that is the same, or one shade darker, than your lip colour of choice, and use it to line your outer lips. It will also make your lips look fuller (Kylie Jenner, we’re onto you) and help the colour last longer.
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How do I put red lipstick on?
When applying red lipstick, it’s best to use a lip brush. Applying it straight from the tube can end in smears (and tears) – and those are hard to fix, even for us pros.
bh tip: Use Manicare Retractable Lip Brush to apply your colour – it comes with a lid, so you can pop it in your handbag for on-the-go touch-ups.
What do I do with the rest of my face?
You want your red lip to be the main attraction. Team it with bright cheeks or dramatic eyes, and you may end up looking like Heath Ledger in Batman. Just saying… To make the right kind of statement, keep rest of your makeup neutral. Think long lashes, minimal eye shadow and naturally bronzed cheeks.
bh tip: For a little natural make-up inspiration, check out this gallery.
Will it end up on my teeth?
No – if you follow this handy tip. Put your index finger in your mouth, purse your lips and slowly pull it out. This will remove any excess colour on the inside of your lips, and keep your lipstick off your teeth.
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Red lipsticks we’re loving…
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color in Fatal Red, Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday, L’Oreal Paris Infallible 2-Step Longwear Lipstick in Red Infallible, MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo, Rimmel London Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 107
Do you like to wear red lipstick? Do you have any other tips when wearing a bold lip?
