Love Red Lips? Here’s How to Pull It Off
Bobbi Brown teaches you how to pull off red lips. (Photo: Henry Leutwyler)
So many women love the idea of red lips, but not everyone can pull it off. Some women look stunning in a matte bright red, while others prefer a more natural sheer stain. The key is finding a shade and finish that you feel confident and comfortable in. Here’s how:
Red lipstick will only exaggerate the appearance of cracked or chapped lips, so make sure you prep your lips first. For dry lips, apply eye cream and gently exfoliate with an extra-soft toothbrush. Rinse off.
If you want to pull off statement red lips, choose between blue-red, orange-red or a deeper brown-red. I love a very bright pink or blue-red on very pale skin. For warmer skin tones, try an orange-red. Deep skin tones look great in a browner red.
If you want to pull off a bold red lip look, opt for a creamy semi-matte or a true matte finish, but make sure the formula isn’t too dry.
If you love the idea of red lips but can’t pull off the full look, go with a sheer lip stain, or color the lips with a red pencil over lip balm.
It’s best to use a lip brush to apply red lipstick. The look will be more precise and even than if you apply it straight out of the tube.
Make sure you open your mouth as you are applying to reach the inner corners of your lips.
You can use a pencil to outline your lips after you apply the lipstick to define them, but beware not to go past the edge. There is nothing more ’90s than an overlined mouth. I also am not a fan of topping off the lipstick with gloss. Red gloss is best used sparingly and alone.
Blot with a tissue to finish (this will help you avoid getting the color on your teeth).
My favorite look for red lips is to pair the color with even natural-looking skin, a blush, and three coats of very black mascara.
Related:
Red Lips Rule at the Venice Film Festival
