The Makeup Drawer- A Little Red Lip Won't Hurt!
Tis’ the Season! Don’t hurt ‘em, chile…
A Little Red Lip Won’t Hurt!
It’s that time of year where the red lip make it’s appearance. Let’s find you a fantastic red lip for the holiday parties.
It’s that time of year where you and your honey or your gal-friends are about to hit the holiday streets this month. Black dress, check! Stilettos or rhinestone flats, check! Glam clutch, check! Time to do your makeup and you are eyeballing that red lipstick you friend talked you into getting three months ago. “Should I wear it? Am I too dark to wear red?” You continue to ruminate over the next ten mins on what you should do. Well, let’s make a decision. To the makeup drawer we go!
Red Lipstick-Stock Photo
How to Find Your Red
To find the perfect red lip, start by understanding your skin undertone. If you have warm undertones, look for reds with orange or coral undertones. If you have cool undertones, try reds with blue undertones. Experiment with different finishes to achieve your desired look. A matte finish gives a timeless and sophisticated appearance, while a glossy or satin finish adds glamour. Remember, confidence is key. When you find the right red that complements your skin flawlessly, your confidence will shine through every smile. Below, we are going to highlight three of the nine red lipstick shades: Oxblood, Blue-Red, and Orange-Red.
Bold Oxblood
Oxblood is a rich, deep of ruddy burgundy/coffee shade that exudes confidence and sophistication. This color is uber stunning on fair to deep dark complexions as they bring a dynamic, eye-catching contrast. Medium to dark complexion women will definitely see the warm oxbloods brings back to the skin. Think fall/winter when selecting this shade because they will certainly bring the heat to any look. Remember, when wearing oxblood lipstick, keep the rest of your makeup simple and let your lips take center stage. Soft, neutral eye shadow and a touch of mascara will balance out the look, allowing your lips to be the stunning focal point.
Mel’s Oxblood Selections: NYX Shout Loud Satin Lipstick in Opinionated, NARS Iconic Lipstick in Opulent Red, MAC Cosmetics Lipstick Matte in Antique Velvet
Eye Catching Blue-Red
OK, so it’s not purple (blue and red). It’s a type of red that has a hint of blue to cool off its fiery a hue. If all else fails, I will normally gravitate to this color. Reason being because of its cool undertones, it can beautifully enhance different skin complexions. Fair complexions often have a delicate, porcelain-like quality, and Blue-Red lipstick can create a striking contrast against this skin tone. Women with light to medium skin tones have the advantage of being able to wear a blue-red lipstick. It works particularly well on these complexions as it complements their skin's neutral undertones. Blue-Red lipstick can bring out the natural warm undertones typically found in olive complexions. Its cooler base can make the lips pop, offering a captivating contrast to the skin tone. The result is a vibrant and alluring lip look that adds richness to the overall makeup. Blue-Red lipstick against deep skin tones creates a contrast between the cool undertones of the lipstick and the warm undertones of deep complexions. Blue-Red lipstick is versatile and can be worn by anyone, regardless of their skin tone. My favorite characteristic of the hue is that it is an instant tooth whitener, creating the appearance of a dazzling, gleaming smile. You will surely be the talk of the party when you step into the room.
Mel’s Blue-Red Suggestions: MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte in Ruby Woo, NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Starwoman, NYX Matte Liquid Lipstick in Sizzle
Firey Orange-Red
Ah! The most stunning, yet frightening color of the red lipstick family. This intimidating color is, in my opinion, a makeup drawer staple. Orange-Red lipstick suits all skin tones, enhancing natural beauty by adding flare and warmth to any look. On fair skin, it adds warmth and playfulness, making the lips stand out. For medium complexions, it brings depth and intensity without overpowering, harmonizing with undertones. On deep or dark skin tones, it creates a powerful and glamorous look, drawing attention to the lips. If you are unsure as to how an Orange-Red looks on you, line the lips with a light to medium brown liner to cool off the intensity of the color. This will also help concentate the color to the center of the lips. Whether you have warm or neutral undertones, Orange-Red uplifts features and celebrates diversity. It's a mesmerizing color that tells a story of confidence, allure, and timeless beauty.
Mel’s Orange-Red Suggestions: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Drive In, Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in Obsessed!
Color Doesn’t Matter
“I’m too dark or too light to wear that!” Ma’am, that is a lie!!!!
Somewhere between society telling us what color is appropriate to wear or actual “color fear”, many Women of Color have a hard time embracing red as a lip color. We begin to doubt our beauty and confidence and forsake our own preferences. You know I would never leave a blog without giving you the tools to build your confidence. Here is a few tips on how to conquer those red lip woes:
Try, Try, Try: If you find a red lipstick you like on your first try, you are a lucky duck! It takes time to find the perfect red lipstick. You have to hit up your local Sephora, MAC, or Ulta to see what choices are out for display. Try matte, sheer, or glossy finishes. Try solid, cream, and liquid finishes to see why textures you prefer. If you find that you love a Pink-Red in a matte finish, then stick to that until you are ready to venture to a new hue. Also ask for samples to you can try before you buy.
Line Those Lips: This will keep your lipstick on a little longer, keep your lipstick from bleeding, blend the color with the shade you chose, and can create ombre effect depending on the color. If you like the color of red you’ve chosen but find that it’s a tad bit bright, use a slightly darker color lip liner or a brown liner (Chestnut by MAC is my favorite) to tone it down.
Go Complemnetary or Monochomatic: If you want to try your hand at wearing your red as an accessory to your wardrobe, try wearing your red lipstick with a green silk or satin top (complementary). You can also wear a Blue-Red lipstick with a Cherry Red jacket (monochromatic). Check out Author and Speaker Dr. Synetheia Newby (pictured below) who wore a daring red lip paired with her red and white glasses and yellow cardigan. She paired these warm colors beautifully!
Relax: Confidence comes when you continue to try. The anxiety comes when you are not sure if you are choosing the right colors leading you to believe you are going to look foolish. That is not so! Ask questions and be open! Take the pressure off of you.
Red Lip Beauty Feature
Thank you Dr. Synetheia Newby for showing us how you wear your red lips with confidence and flair!
Need Help finding the perfect red lip? Feel free to contact me for a FREE 10 min consultation and I will give you my personal suggestions as to what red would best suit you! Let’s build that confidence and get you into a red you’ll love!