Ah, the classic red lip. If there is a single beauty look that has seemed to stand the test of time, it’s this one. From Cleopatra to Lucille Ball, and even as far back as the ancient Mesopotamians 5,000 years ago, people have been swiping that classic ruby red shade on their lips.
In the modern-day, red lipstick is like magic in a tube. I don’t know how it does it, but it can make you look “done” in three seconds flat. It’s an instant look-maker. And it’s not just any look, either — it’s bold and statement-making, but also glamorous and feminine at the same time.
Even still, red lipstick can be pretty intimidating. If you don’t regularly wear red already, it can seem like a very big, bold step. On top of that, how do you even go about choosing your perfect shade? There’s clearly no shortage of options out there, with thousands of captivating crimsons, seducing scarlets, and bewitching burgundies to choose from.
First of all, I’m here to tell you to take that big, bold step! Everyone could use a red lip in their beauty arsenal.
And secondly, I’m going to help you find your perfect shade of red! What looks good on me might not look good on you, and vice versa. It all comes down to your skin undertones, complexion, and hair color. And, well, it’s also about what makes you feel amazing. When you find that perfect red for your pout, you’ll know it.
You Need to Know Your Undertones
Before we dive into the lipsticks, let’s do a brief overview of undertones. Your skin’s undertones are categorized as warm, cool, or neutral. If you’ve ever visited a makeup counter for a foundation match, you’ve seen all the colors labeled with these. There’s no magic formula to figure out which one you are — you simply need to take a look at your skin, and it’s best to do it in natural light.
Cool Tones
If your skin has more of a pink tone and your veins appear blue or purple, you’re cool. Look for a red that has a blue undertone.
Maybelline Color Sensational in Ruby For Me // $7.49
MAC matte lipstick in Diva // $19
Warm Tones
If your skin has a yellowish or greenish tone and veins look green, you’re warm. You’ll be most flattered with a warmer red that has more orange in it.
MAC Love Me lipstick in Shamelessly Vain // $21
Neutral Tones
Can’t tell either way, or your veins appear to be both colors? You’re neutral. Check out true reds that fall in the middle of the pack.
NYX matte lipstick in Pure Red // $6
Day vs Night
Afraid that red lipstick might be too bold for daytime? You can absolutely rock red lips during the day, you just need to pay attention to the rest of your face. For a daytime look, pair red lipstick with more subtle, neutral makeup.
Tinted balms or glosses also make great options for anyone afraid that red lipstick might be too “loud” for daytime. They’ll give you that barely-there hint of red.
Once we get into the evening, all bets are off. You can definitely play with darker reds, and with more dramatic eye makeup without feeling like it’s too much.
Matte, Gloss, or Somewhere In Between?
Which sheen you choose is mostly a personal preference. Me personally, I don’t do glosses. I don’t like having to reapply as much, and my hair gets stuck to it when it’s feeling unruly. However, glosses look amazing!
Matte lipsticks have been trending for a while now (thanks, Kylie Jenner), and they do look great. If you decide to go this route, make sure to use a moisturizing primer first. They tend to be drying.
If you need something that will stay put all day long, lip stains are the way to go. Not even eating lunch will mess this stuff up! If you like shine, you can put a clear gloss over top, too.
My favorite lipsticks have always been the tried-and-true satin. It’s not too drying, but it also stays put longer than gloss. I also make sure to start with a good liner, to keep the lipstick in the right spot all day long.
