Wearing The Perfect Red!

​Naturally a vintage girl will want to wear the most alluring red lipstick possible, yet for most girls a red lipstick can seem quite daunting as this iconic make up product still continues to cause distress. Some of the questions we get asked are; what colour red will suit me, how can I make it stay on, what liner will match it, what make up shall I wear with it, can I stop it getting on my teeth, can I stop it from getting everywhere for that matter… Yes no other make up product generates as many questions and as much controversy as the red lippy … here are some of our tips to help!

How can I make it stay on … Choose your red lipstick wisely, if it’s for a special evening, event or even a day at the office you will need a product that is going to stay, most companies now have a ‘stay fast’ red that is designed not to come off for several hours, and yes some of them are very good. My advice is to make use of the ‘try before you buy’ invitation from most make up companies, this way you can see if the product does what it is supposed to do. Still confused? Always choose a matt or semi matt lipstick, this of course is less greasy and less likely to move and slip around on the lips making it longer lasting. Try a few products on the back of your hand, you will soon see which product is more matt, it will also be the one that is denser in colour.

You can help the product stay on further by applying your foundation/concealer as close to the lip line as possible, NOT ON THE LIPS AS THIS WILL CHANGE THE COLOUR OF THE LIP PRODUCT. Then dust the lips all over with a light translucent powder, this will set the outer lip line and prime the lips. The lipstick should not bleed from the lips now that this has been done.

Lip liners also play a key role in helping the lip product to stay in place and I feel with Red Lipstick this product is essential. Always choose a liner that is the same tone as the lipstick. You can go slightly darker as long as it is the same tone of Red. So either a blue red or a warm red, to help you work out which your product is draw a little on the back of your hand then smudge it in as much as possible. You will then see more clearly if this has a pinkish smear or if it is a more warmer brick colour. Always line within the natural lip line. You can use a lip brush to brush the colour towards the edges later in the application.

What other make up shall I wear with it … A red lip is a statement in itself and I think in most cases it should be left alone. I think either a really strong eye OR a really strong lip is a good decision to make, a little blush, great skin and a classic neutral eye (perhaps a clean black 50’s liner) is the best make up to wear with a Red.

Will it suit me …? You don’t know until you try! I think whenever trying something new that you are unsure of my best advice is try it again and again and again! It takes some time to get used to it so put it on and wear it for the whole day, Get a second or even third opinion from someone you trust. There are no rules when it comes to a red, I find anything with a strong pink undertone will be the most difficult to wear and perhaps suit someone with darker skin and dark hair. A true pillar-box red looks great on nearly all that have fair skin. Again if you are unsure of the colour take a little on the back of your hand and rub it until you are just left with pigments this will then be more clear.

I think a Red lipstick looks amazing on almost everyone … if you are doing it correctly, I hope the above advice has helped, please feel free to email us to discuss your wedding make up in more depth.

Amanda Moorhouse x

Lipstick & Curls