A red lip can seem extremely daunting and frightening, perhaps you are concerned about the logistics of smudging and becoming the joker or perhaps the insecurity of having yellow teeth. If you have never experimented with red lipstick, now is the time as its Christmas, so here is three different levels of glam with my three favourite red lip colours to get you into the festive spirit and be your most confident self.
Basic Everyday Red
Wearing red lipstick during the day whilst doing something regular is super scaring at first, but once you change from your everyday lipstick or balm to a red, It will change your life. I repeat, It will change your life. Studies suggest that wearing red lipstick increases an individual confidence and makes others view that individual as a more outgoing and fearless.
So, in conclusion I think its fair to say that there are no downfalls of wearing red lipstick during daily activities, other than the risk of potential smudging, but we are stronger than that.
Styling a lipstick for everyday use, you are probably best off sticking to the focus being on the lips, for daily wear I recommend trying out Ruby from Anastasia Beverly Hills, it’s a compact bullet lipstick which is sleek and pigmented, as it is a bullet lipstick it is perfect for taking out with you to reapply if necessary. Personally, I have never had an issue with the colour bleeding but if you want some extra security you could always pair Ruby with a lip liner which would increase the wear time of the lipstick. For everyday wear I love to pair a red lipstick with winged liner and some simple lashes, the lashes are not necessary however the winged liner creates a feline shape to give the eye the illusion of being more almond shaped. Ruby retails for £20 on Anastasia Beverly Hills website and is available online elsewhere as well, although the quality of this lipstick is impeccable. If you are looking to do a similar look, I highly recommend the Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner as it creates super precise lines, with a matte black finish that lasts all day, it is also super affordable, retailing at only £5.99 at boots.
Classical Red Glam
Classic red glam is a must for any occasion, as it can elevate the simplest black dress to an elegant outfit fit for any event. To make an everyday red lip into a glam red lip it is about making the eyes just as much of a statement as the lip colour. Aim to use warm matte browns and smoke it out towards the outer edge, by applying the colour below the lash line it ties the entire eye look together. Personally, I like to do a half-cut crease by applying concealer to the front half of the eyelid to make the illusion of larger eyes, which again gives you that glamourous, old Hollywood vibe. If you wish for a new neutral palette, I suggest the Anastasia Beverly Hills soft glam palette as it contains the perfect mix of warm tones, cool browns and shimmers. It retails for £42 but it is so versatile and features shades that are universally flattering.
On the topic of universally flattering, the Fenty beauty stunna lip paint in uncensored is the ideal red lipstick for everyone, and for a classic red glam, this liquid lipstick provides a rich blue-red colour, which will make your teeth look pearly white.
A classic red glam look can be worn to anything from a night out to a fancy brunch, and the longwearing lipstick means you do not need to stress about smudging, bleeding or crumbling of the lipstick when eating or drinking.
Editorial Red Glam
Editorial looks tend to focus on bright, dewy, youthful skin, brows tend to be fluffy yet defined and eyelooks tend to be simplistic or graphic. Editorial styles have come to the forefront of the media in recent months due to the success of the drama series Euphoria, and has made more editorial looks, less frightening to those still new to makeup. Editorial styles photograph beautifully, so if you are going to be going anywhere over the festive season where cameras will be, perhaps try a more avant garde look. The secret to having photo ready skin is in the products, try to use cream or liquid products, this makes layering easier and also gives you the control over how sheer or full coverage you want your base to be. For creating a dewy canvas, I recommend using the infinity gloss from Linda Hallberg, again it can be mixed into your foundation or it can be applied on top and even used on the eyes, lips and high points of the face. You can currently buy it off Beauty Bay, it retails for £23, I would say this is definitely a more luxurious buy, as you can definitely survive without it, but it makes working on clients and photography so much easier as that extra dimension of light is already provided.
When styling a red lip for editorial purposes I tend to think contrasting blush and a glossy eye tends to be the most impactful, If you are looking for some incredibly talented artists to admire over and spark some ideas from I highly recommend checking out @/Hindash and @/mary_vostokova as the both showcase simplistic skin and stunning looks. Personally, my favourite red gloss is the Soap and Glory, Sexy Mother Pucker in the shade Riot. It smells incredible, isn’t sticky and is long lasting, plus did I mention it is drugstore at only £7, therefore I think it is a must have in every makeup lovers kit.
With Christmas meaning cold weather and cold weather meaning staying indoors, it’s the perfect excuse to play about with different colours, finishes and formulas of red lip colours. Playing about with the different styles will allow you to find the look where you feel the most comfortable and the most like yourself.
Enjoy styling your reds, and have a very Merry Christmas.
