Red lipstick; a head-turner, confidence booster, and, after months of wearing masks, exciting re-addition to our makeup routine. But which red is best for you?
Everyone can wear red, but the shade of red is the answer… Your lip size will also determine if red will suit you well, but then again the shade will definitely play a big part in that.
The smaller your lips, the brighter the lipstick you should wear. The larger your lips, well, you would think most women with these would show them off, but women who have very large, plump lips, do not like to make them a feature, as they feel they take over the face – a deeper wine red lipstick, won’t make them as plump as the depth of colour recedes the lips.
MB PRO TIP: Always choose one focal point to the face when wearing makeup… It’s either your eyes or lips and no matter how much you try to switch them around, some women just can’t do one or the other and that’s okay. Choose one and rock it, we all know what we look best in, but, if you have only tried one shade of red and been turned off, maybe try one of the below to see if you have a new love for red lipstick!
There are 4 main Red Lipstick categories; all amazing in their own way and each will look better on certain skin tones.
Orange Base Red
Think summer, bright and a warm undertone…
Who: Best for women with a very pink base skin, or who want to look warm and summery – looks great on a blonde!
Why: The orange undertone will counter-balance pink tones in your skin, making them more neutral and giving warmth to your overall look.
Don’t: If you have yellow teeth, or if you have a very yellow base skin, you will look very flat! No pastel colours with fashion.
Blue Base (True) Red
This is the most commonly used/applied, a very classic red…
Who: A little more wintery and great for Brunettes, either with fair or olive skin and great for anyone with yellow teeth.
Why: The classic blue undertone really pops on a brunettes fair skin, it should be the only focal point and will brighten up a yellow base skin – instant lift!
Don’t: If you are very pale/pink base, the blue undertone can make your skin more pink/blue, warm up skin if wanting to wear and if you have dark smokey eyes, re-think your intensity of red.
Pink Base Red
Fresh, Feminine, less intense/bold
Who: Once again, more for the brunettes as blondes are usually very fair with too much pink on their skin naturally and someone who wants a softer, everyday red – a good intro into reds.
Why: Pink on pink just wont work, who wants to look more flushed? Or pile on a tonne of foundation to make it work?
Don’t: If you have a lot of broken capillaries or sensitive skin, prone to redness and no earth/warm tones with fashion.
Deep/Wine Red
Seductive, winter and chic all come to mind…
Who: Great for all hair colours/skin tones, especially redheads and also great for larger lips.
Why: For fair skins the deep wine won’t take over the face as much as a really bright/blood red and for olive skins, it appears more natural as it is deep, going on deep… Redheads often find a red competes with their hair.
Don’t: Once again for extreme sensitive and really pink base skins or a very flat dull skin.
MB PRO TIP: Always think what your skin, in terms of colour, is showing, and then think what it is lacking…The answer you get will determine what shade of red you need! Too much pink or red, then go a neutral, warm tone red lip– orange or a brown tone wine red would work best. If you are a bit dull, flat and an olive base skin, give it some colour with a blue base or pink red!
Not everyone can wear red, but with the right shade, you will be on your way to better success!
Celeb Pick of the Week: Jesinta Campbell
The only girl I know that can wear all shades of red and rock all of them. She has a very neutral skin palette, so all can suit with the right outfit and occasion and she loves playing up on her summer versus winter tones.
Michael Brown’s Top 4 Reds from Nars Cosmetics (RRP: $39 available from Mecca Cosmetica)
Blue Base | Wine | Orange | Pink
Image credit: red lip stick for your skin tone images via zimbio.com
