Perhaps you recall, but over the holiday season, I wore red lipstick on repeat. I wore it to the mall, to work, to parties, and even to a pajama party, lol. But no matter where I went, I kept hearing the exact same comment: “I wish I could pull that off.”
To my surprise, I didn’t just get that reaction from random friends, coworkers, and family members. I got it from other bloggers, too! Who knew that so many people, even fellow fashionistas, were so scared to rock red lips?!
If you’re in the same boat, I’m here to tell you that it DOES NOT take a special person to wear read lipstick. And, despite what a bunch of other publications will tell you, there’s no “perfect shade” for your hair color, skin tone, etc. At the end of the day, the key to wearing red lipstick comes down to two things. Today I’ll be addressing both.
How to Wear Red Lipstick with Confidence
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1. Finding a flattering shade.
And by flattering I just mean a shade that you feel comfortable in. Something that you put on and can, at the very least, see potential in. If you put a color on and immediately want to rub it off, that one’s a no go. But keep trying! There are a gazillion red lipstick shades out there. Something’s bound to look good on you! Be open to trial and error, and go with your gut. You’ll know when you’ve found the right fit.
Personally, I like MAC’s Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo. I own this duo which includes the complimentary lip pence for only $27 total. I highly recommend using lip pencils to outline your lips [or fill them in entirely] before putting on lipstick. But especially before putting on red lipstick. Otherwise, it can bleed and look sloppy.
If you’re looking for an even more affordable option, I highly recommend you check out this Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick by NYX Cosmetics [in “Kitten Heels”]. I actually talked about this one in my blog post “How I Save Money on Beauty Products” if you recall…
Anyways, if you’re looking for a “signature red lipstick” shade, these fit the bill. I have both and love them [color, formula, all of it]! And as I’ve let people try them out I’ve found that they’re universally flattering. Everyone seems to love them!
2. Keeping it simple.
Whether you’re wearing red lipstick during the day, to work, or for play, I highly recommend you style it simply. I’m talking neutral clothing, minimal eyeshadow, even clean-cut accessories. At least until you get used to it! As you grow more comfortable, by all means, experiment! But keeping your look simple and clean to start will give you time to grow more comfortable and confident.
Seriously guys.. it’s THAT easy.
And no matter what red lipstick shade you choose, be sure to keep your lips hydrated and smooth with a lip treatment mask of sorts [I’ve heard great things about this one]. This will ensure a smooth application and wear. I don’t think any lipstick shade or formula can fully flatter dry, cracked lips! 😉
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading. I hope to see you back here soon!
PS: If you like this post, click here to check out my latest beauty chats!
XX,
