The 30-day red lipstick challenge: from having never tried it before, this is what I found
With 6.1 million of us googling 'How to wear red lipstick', it's challenging to know which hue is for you. I’m not particularly coy in the makeup department, I’d happily don a dramatic smoky eye or even a blue mascara, but when it comes to lips, anything beyond a classic nude scare me to tears. Red lipstick? Forget it! I have always been incredibly self-conscious of my lips, when I smile they become so thin they practically disappear. In an attempt to grab my insecurity by the horns I (begrudgingly) agreed to wear red lipstick every day for one month. Much to my surprise, I have discovered that my confidence levels have improved significantly, and that there is a shade and texture to suit everyone. Here is everything that I learnt.
Start sheer
I was advised by the pros to take things slow. Celebrity make-up artist Mary Greenwell told me to "start by finding a red shade that is slightly sheer to gently take you into a bold lip, such as Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm in Red Velvet."
To avoid that dreaded lipstick all over your coffee cup rather than your lips conundrum, Greenwell says is all in the prep. "Prepare your lips really well before applying your red lip by exfoliating them and follow with some lip balm," and then '"dab off the shine before applying, so you are left with super soft lips." To exfoliate, I used Fresh's Super Lip Polish that gently exfoliates and conditions your lips while buffing away any dry flakes and nourishing your lips in the process. For a highly moisturising balm I can’t recommend Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Super Balm enough, made with 100% Ultra Medical Grade Lanolin it is highly compatible with your skin.
A shade that lasts all day
The prize for staying power goes to Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayon - I only had to top it up once during the day. I tried the 'How Rouge' shade which sadly on my pale freckly skin was too harsh, but I can imagine it looking amazing on a more olive complexion.
The Rodial's Suede Lips collection also came up trumps in the long-lasting department and there are lots of rich red shades to choose from. Their long-lasting, non-drying formula is enriched with hydrating Vitamin E which means it doesn't dry out your lips like some matte lipsticks. To finish an evening look, I went for 'Power Play', a cherry-red shade that delivered a full-coverage pop of colour that lasted the whole evening. I found this colour perfectly suited my dark-hazelnut eyes.
How to wear it with other make-up
So should we pair bold statement lip with a dramatic eye? Or is it an either or situation? Make-up artist Tania Grier says that "darker skin tones can usually pull off both, but pale and olive skin tend to suit one or the other. Having too much pigment on both areas at once can look scary and overpowering however there are subtle ways to combine colour on both your lids and lips." Grier recommends that with a red lip, stick to an eye flick or soft eye contouring using natural tones. She loves Sisley's new Sparkling Brown Phyto Khol Star Liner with a matte coral-red lip.
Also try Laura Mercier's Matte Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Caramel, an easy-to-use creamy-nude eyeshadow stick that blends effortlessly into the eye lids. If you want the ultimate red-carpet look go for a bright red lipstick and a gold metallic eye. I found that Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerise in Jeanne and Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Experimental worked amazingly together.
To gloss or not to gloss?
I have never been a massive fan of lip gloss - mainly because I tend to wear my hair down which means with a tiny bit of wind my hair will stick to my lips. "Traditionally, women may have been afraid of red lip-gloss because of the heavy and sticky textures," says Greenwell. However, the new generation of glosses delivers mega shine, tint and moisture in a whole new way. I have been completely converted thanks to YSL's Volupte Liquid Colour Balm in 6. It contains 35 per cent water and is enriched with natural coconut water meaning my lips felt conditioned. What's more, it delivered a full-coverage, dewy shine, without that sticky feeling. "The 80's glossy red makes an appearance every few years," adds Grier. To opt for a traditional gloss, Christian Louboutin's Loubilaque Lip Lacquer in Rouge Louboutin offers a full coverage with a radiant high-shine finish.
How to apply your red lipstick
1. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail - prep is key to ensure a long lasting juicy pout
2. To add volume draw slightly over your natural lip line with a pencil – simple bit effective
3. Give contouring a go - having applied your lip pencil and lipstick add a lighter shade to the centre of the lip and blend
Whether you're looking for an orange-y red or deep burgundy, more of a matte finish or a shimmer, we have every base covered.
The best products
Prep your lips with...
Rodial Dragon's Blood Individual Lip Mask, ￡6
Plump and hydrate your lips with Rodial's lip mask that provides instant moisture whilst boosting comforting and soothing for smoother, younger lips.
Buy now
La Mer The Lip Balm, ￡50
For people who are prone to dry, chapped lips invest in La Mer's lip balm that will instantly nourish and restore softness back into the lips.
Frank Body Lip Scrub, ￡9
This gentle scrub buffs away any dry skin or dead skin to reveal softer, smoother lips in minutes.
Dr Lipp, ￡12
Dr Lipp's balm contains 100% lanolin that helps to soothe and protect delicate, vulnerable skin.
The best for beginners...
By Terry Twist-On Lip in Red & Wine, ￡26
By Terry's dual lipstick has got to be one of my new hand-bag accessory. It creates a perfect plump and contour effect for the ultimate ombre lip. Use the darker side of the stick and apply around the contour of the lip, use the lighter shade to fill the center and then gently blend by rubbing your lips together.
Lipstick Queen Eden Lipstick, ￡22
This apple-red lipstick looks brilliant on every skin tone including fair (like me) and is formulated with shea butter, olive and sunflower seed oils which heals and protects the lips from environment damage.
Sisley Phyto Lip Twist in Chestnut 9, ￡32.50
This pencil give lips the glossiness of a gloss and the colour of a lipstick. It offers you a glossy, plumped up lip while at the same time leaving them supple and nourished.
Armani Beauty Ecstasy Shine Lipstick in 400, ￡30
This moisturising lip colour has the intensity and shine of a lipstick with hydrating perks of a lip balm. The range includes rudes, browns and reds so there is a shade to suit everyone.
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