I notice that not a lot of women wear red lipstick. It’s only for that special occasion type of thing, which is understandable. Red is tricky as you don’t have the ease of a neutral or nude color to apply it in a rush or without a mirror.
You have to be careful with red. I find that the undertone is important if you want a good shade for you. As I’m a bit fair-skinned, I like red lipsticks with a blue undertone. I’ve read it makes the teeth look white too, so you can smile confidently. For morenas, try reds with orange and peach undertones.
A moisturized lip is also important when wearing red lipstick. Since there’s a lot of pigment going on your lips, red lipstick can easily make your lips look and feel dry. So always prep with a thick lip mask. You can even leave a thin layer of lip balm before applying your chosen red shade. Read a tutorial I made on how to make a good lip care routine here.
When you’re ready, invest in a tube that has the right tone and formulation for you, depending on your personality and what feel comfortable.
Here are my picks:
Sunnies Face Fluffmatte in Major
You can say I’m a fan of local brand Sunnies Face and their original launch: the Fluffmatte lipsticks. Major is a unique red that has a powder finish but feels very creamy on the lips. It doesn’t make your lips tight and dry either.
Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in Gabrielle
How can a lipstick collection be complete without a red lipstick from Chanel? The shade is obviously an ode to Coco Chanel and her famous red pout. I think a lot of people will find this red a friendly one as it has hydrating properties like jojoba and mimosa butters and sunflower wax.
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in So Marilyn
Another red lipstick inspiration is none other than Marilyn Monroe. This one from Charlotte Tilbury comes in a beautiful gold tube that houses a luxurious formula that is paraben-free and has the Lipstick Tree extracts that help “protect your lips from UV damage, fighting oxidative stress so that lips are left pert, soft, soothed & hydrated.”
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
This cult-favorite has been a long time favorite of mine. The pigment-rich and non-drying formula for this “viven siren red” lasts long on the lips. It’s also enriched with Vit. E so your lips get some skincare. Wear it to a long party!
Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Vendetta
This became a recent addition to my collection thanks to Sephora.ph. If you want something a little bit more daring, this lipstick from PatMcGrath Labs might be right up your alley. The lipstick is highly-pigmented, lightweight, and is made with “optical diffusers that blur the appearance of imperfections, combined with a blend of polymers to provide flexibility and adherence.”
