A Quick Guide To Red Lips

There’s always a go-to product in every woman’s make-up bag which will instantly transform their face and make them feel elegant and revitalised! There’s nothing as alluring as a perfect set of red lips as they create a timeless look that will always be stylish, but it can be hard to find the right shade. That’s where our quick guide to red lips comes in.

Striking red lipstick is the hallmark of screen sirens, rock goddesses and street-style fashionistas all around the world. From New York to London, you’re bound to see this effortlessly sexy and chic look no matter what the season is.

If you’re new to red lipstick, it may seem quite an intense lip colour in comparison to your usual look. But don’t fear the red as it’s meant to be bright and eye-catching – a quick slick of this lippy can transform your face!

Read on to find out how to discover the power of red lipstick in our quick guide and if you’re a touch nervous, then channel your inner Gwyneth Paltrow: “Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick”.

How to find your shade

As Coco Chanel once said, ‘The best colour in the world is the one that looks good on you’, but finding ‘the one’ can be a case of serious trial and error. It needs to enhance your features, highlight your lips and ultimately give you a total confidence boost! Audrey Hepburn believed that ‘there is a shade of red for every woman’, so don’t think that red isn’t for you. Here are some tips for getting the perfect red lipstick lips.

Cool vs Warm Tones – which one are you?

You’ll often hear ‘cool’ and ‘warm’ being referred to when talking lipstick and it’s the first step in selecting your perfect look. It refers to the natural undertones in your skin and it’s not always what you’d expect – fair girls can be warm toned and dark skins can be cool toned.

The simplest way to check is to take a look at your veins. If they appear blue then it indicates a ‘cool’ person. If the veins look green, your skin has warm tones. Another quick hack to finding your tone is to hold up silver and gold jewellery close to your complexion. If silver makes you look more radiant then you’re a ‘cool’, but if you’re more glowing with gold then you’re a ‘warm’.

Cool girls should opt for reds with a blue undertone, and warm girls will be flattered by reds with an orange base.

Tailor It By Skin Type 

Fair skins: If you’re paler in skin tone, be wary of ultra-bright shades that can overpower your delicate complexion. For a hue that works naturally, opt for lighter coral colours and pinky reds to give you real warmth.

Perfect picks: Try Dr Hauschka Lipstick or Jane Iredale Lip Fixation in Fascination.

Medium skins: If you’re after a softer look, try a red lipstick with a warm pink base, but don’t be afraid to embrace a real berry red when you wish to showcase a dramatic look – it will do wonders for you. If you’re lucky enough to have a beautifully bronzed complexion then the beauty bar is your oyster; most shades will suit your skin type.

Perfect picks: DuWop Private Lipstick in Private Red and DuWop Iced Teas in Black Current.

Dark skins: You’ll look sensational in warm wines (think burgundy and claret) and reds with a purple, warm caramel or toffee base. If you have cool tones to your skin, then a pretty pairing would definitely be red lipsticks with a pink undertone.

Perfect picks: Try DuWop Private Cherry Noir Lipstick for a warm red, or Ilia Lipstick in Femme Fatale.

Taking your red lips from day to night 

You can easily transform your look from day to night with the help of a quality lipstick! Be sure to pack the shades in your bag and be ready to go from your demure day look to your evening vamp style.

Day: For a look that will cover office meetings, the school run or even the beach, try using a coloured balm or gloss to keep things looking natural and sheer. Try Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Sheer Tint in Plum or Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose for the perfect pout in a pot.

Night: When it’s time for some serious glamour, forget the gloss and go matte! To help everything stay in place, line your lips before you apply your chosen shade as this will help keep your lip colour neat. Errors will show up more readily with intense colours, but careful application can reduce this risk. Use a lip brush to work the colour, layering it up for a more dramatic effect, just don’t forget to blot! Try Dr Hauschka Lipstick in Warm Red.

Lipstick can truly transform your face and help you create a striking look that other will not forget. Remember this quick guide to red lips; know your tones and what colour you can work. You’ll soon be pouting perfect red lips that Gwyneth would be proud of!