The red lip is bold, timeless and empowering. Here’s a crash course in creating the perfect red pout.
Choose the right shade
The right shade of lipstick can brighten up your face, while the wrong red could very easily overpower a look. With so many variations in skin tone and undertones in women of colour, the right shade of red can depend on many factors, even the colour of your clothing.
The good news is that everyone has a shade of red that will suit their skin tone. Don't be afraid to experiment to find the shade of red that you love.
Know that a lipstick’s texture (cream, matte, or gloss) could have an effect on the way the shade looks on your lips, so keep your lips hydrated and exfoliated. If you aren't ready to commit to lipstick, you can ease into red with a sheer lip gloss or try a lip stain to gradually add colour.
Beyond considering just undertones, women of colour can’t underestimate the importance of pigment quality of their lipstick.
Different reds for different skin tones
People with light skin tones can wear red for a bold pop of colour against their fair skin. Fair skin tends to look better in cool reds and berry reds with a blue undertone.
Medium skin tones have a bit more versatility when it comes to picking a red lipstick. Caramel skin looks best in yellow or orange-based reds.
Warmer medium tones look great in brown-reds.
Dark skin can handle more intense color, like deep reds and reds with blue undertones. Fabulous wines, berries, and brick reds look great.
Lip care
Lip care is important, particularly for people who wear lipstick often. Healthy and moisturised lips will help with achieving your best pout when applying lipstick. Revlon shares the following post-makeup lip care tips:
- Remove longwearing lipstick formulas by drizzling some coconut oil onto a cotton pad. Gently rub over the lips and wait a minute or two. The lipstick will slide off effortlessly.
- If you've been wearing lipstick the whole day, be sure to treat your lips with a nourishing lip balm at bedtime.
READ MORE | Applying makeup on a dry face, plus 5 other makeup mistakes to avoid
Apply your lipstick correctly
1. First prep your lips by exfoliating them before applying any colour. Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your lips so you can remove them with a gentle lip scrub, then follow up with a moisturising lip balm to help keep your pout hydrated. This can help ensure that you have a smooth, even canvas on which to work when applying your lipstick.
2. Lip liner makes your lip colour last longer, but it can also help stop smudging and bleeding. Start by lining the outside of your lips with the lip liner to help fill in any fine lines. Then, fill in the rest of your lips with a lip liner in a shade that matches your lipstick before actually applying your lipstick to prevent any lipstick bleeding.
3. Prime your lips with a lip primer or concealer; apply a tiny bit to your lips using a makeup blender. Then, take a lip brush and apply your lip colour of choice on top.
4. Apply one coat of lipstick using a brush (this allows for more precision than applying directly from the tube), then gently blot your lips with a tissue. Repeat the process again. After applying a second, final coat of lipstick, blot again with your tissue. Then, using a powder brush, apply a translucent powder onto your lips through the tissue to help set your lips.
From matte to a satin finish, here are some red lipsticks to try:
Catrice Vegan Collagen Matt Lipstick - Be Powerful - R101.00 at Superbalist
Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick My Own Boss - R159.96 at Clicks
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color - R600 at Edgars
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