Owning a red lipstick is up there with a designer handbag, sexy animal print heels and the perfect pair of jeans - well it is in my world. From scarlet to cherry, editor Trudi Brewer shares the secret to finding and wearing red lipstick.
Every woman should own a wardrobe of red lipstick. Red lips scream timeless glamour, they look effortlessly chic (when you find the right formula) and take years off your face. Here's my guide to nailing the perfect shade to wear every day.
The shade
Makeup artists swear by letting your skin tone guide you to the right shade. If you have fair skin, opt for an orange-red, for warm skin tones go with a blue-based red, these always make your teeth look whiter. And for those with dark skin, go for a pure, blood red or a crimson, plum tone.
Shiseido Modernmatte Powder Lipstick in Hyper, $55. A soft, matte, rosy red works well with jeans and a white shirt for the day.
Many matte lipsticks are appealing because once they are on the lips they don't budge. However, the downside is they feel dry. The velvet-like finish of this matte colour delivers a full-coverage thanks to the wax and oil formulation. It’s hydrating and long lasting. Available in 24 shades,10 of them belong to the red family.
The Colour
There are hundreds of different reds, once you find your signature shade, it makes you feel and look like a well-turned-out version of yourself. Any shade goes when it comes to trend, make sure it’s not too glossy and appears worn in, rather than freshly applied. My perfect red is blue-based, in a sheer finish.
Shiseido LacquerInk Lipshine in Techo Red, $55. This shade is my go-to bold, blood red for wearing at night with a little black dress.
The charm of this finish is that it can be applied in layers to offer a hint of colour, or full-on bold red. Apply with the sponge tip, to get the perfect outline around the lip border, without the need for a lip pencil. This lip ink is made with high-intensity pigments that offer the look of a lipgloss, but the featherweight finish of a stain.
There are 12 shades, four from the red family.
The Finish
The ultimate red lipstick finish is semi-matte, worn as a stain or a sheer-looking balm. Nothing too gloopy or glossy, for the risk of it traveling into fine lines, and nothing too creamy. If the formula moves too much, it requires constant touch-ups.
Shiseido Visionary Gel Lipstick in Cherry Festival, $50. A slick of this balm is ideal for the weekends. This clear, pink red shade looks great wearing a tinted moisturiser, brow gel and a casual ponytail.
The unique formulation contains ‘triple gel technology’ that is a mix of bold pigment and water to create a weightless sheen that stays on the lips for hours. An ingenious gel formula, it's so easy to apply, (no lip liner required) directly from the bullet, and ideal for hydrated lips in the summer heat. There are 28 shades, 11 of these belong to the red family.
The look
Keep the rest of your makeup simple when wearing red lipstick. My go-to look for the rest of my makeup is a soft bronze wash of colour on the lids and cheeks, black mascara and a hint of neutral golden shimmer, team that with well-groomed eyebrows and the red lipstick is the star of your makeup look.