Like blue jeans or a little black dress, red lipstick is a classic – right?
True, it will never go out of style, but the way we wear it does evolve. Think about the deep and dark Clara Bow era of the 20s, the vibrant red satin finish of 1950s Hollywood glamour, or the burgundy, brick, and brown-reds of the 90s. Then there’s the impact Taylor Swift’s favourite red has had on lipstick sales.
So too formulations that tweak its finish, from velvety and matte to slick and shiny, evolve with innovation and trend desires.
What never changes? How a red lip makes us feel – powerful, confident and put together.
So how should we be wearing our red lipstick now? Let’s dive in.
How to choose the red for you
When it comes to colour celebrity makeup artist Noni Smith has shared some tips about considering your skin tone when choosing your best red.
Seeking a red lipstick that suits is about considering your skin tone. Skin is naturally translucent with subtle colour variations just beneath the surface. These are referred to as ‘undertones’. Those with warmer undertones tend to suit wearing gold jewellery and have hints of yellow, peach or gold under their skin. Those with cooler undertones tend to suit wearing silver jewellery and have hints of pink or blue tones under their skin.
Smith says those with warmer undertones may be best suited with more orange-red lipsticks – those with cooler undertones, reds with a cooler or blue undertone – and some can wear both well.
Skin colour depth can also play a part in your choice. In general fair skin may suit bright cherry reds and soft blue-reds, light to medium skin could try classic true reds, coral reds, and poppy reds and tan to deep skin tones often work with rich crimson, wine, burgundy, and deep brick reds.
Five modern ways to wear red
Think lipstick is as simple as swipe on and go? Well, yes by all means. But you can also have a little fun with it by shaking off your go-to habits and considering some of the ways reds are being worn by influential figures right now.
There are so many different finishes and formats to try, you can even have a red lip wardrobe with looks for different occasions.
You may need to tweak your application to prevent colour bleeding into lip lines, but there are tricks to prevent that.
Here are five of the ways red lips are being worn right now, no matter where you are and what season it is.
1. The blurred lip
A blurred lip look creates a soft, “just-kissed” effect with feathery, diffused edges rather than a sharp, defined line. The blurred lip look is closely tied with the rise in K-beauty, or looks incubated in the beauty hub of Korea, where instead of outlining the lips, colour is applied to the center and blended outward, creating a soft gradient. The influential look has given rise to a host of matte balms, mousses, or tints that can be tapped on for a sheer wash of colour.
Try this: Apply red lipstick to the center of your lips and gently blend the edges with your fingertip or a lip brush for a soft, diffused finish.
2. Plump and moist
With the invention of skincare-infused lipsticks, we no longer have to choose between matte or hyper glossy. There’s now a happy medium in deeply hydrating satin-shine lipsticks. What we love about these, is that they don’t need a liner (unless you want to wear one) and are super flattering to wear as they won’t highlight lip lines or creases.
Try this: Look for a lipstick that has a sheen when swatched on your hand, but doesn’t look or feel wet or sticky. Swipe on and press your lips together to ensure full coverage.
3. ‘Quiet luxury’ true red
This is closest to your traditional red lip, but the key is to make sure the rest of your makeup is low-key, letting the lip look make the statement. Choose a matte or velvet true red in either a traditional format or a ‘liquid lip’ you paint on.
Try this: Wear a bold matte red with minimal makeup but prioritise skincare, so skin is left looking plump and glowy. Then, finish with softly groomed brows and a few coats of mascara for a clean, polished but not overdone look.
4. Lip stain
Lip stains have taken over in a big way in the last year or so, catering to those who want a lasting finish. It won’t have the high-impact pigment of a classic matte, but it will give a pretty hint of colour that lasts through eating and drinking.
Try this: Look for a product that promises it’s ‘stain’ credentials. Some have a shiny finish that dries down, while others start out like a thick gloss that dries and is then peeled away, leaving a residue of colour on your lips that lasts. When applying, make sure your leave a precise outline around the perimeter of your lips to act like a lip line. Some people prefer not to fill in the center creating a 3-D plumping visual effect but if you like a more even look, apply all over. Once the initial application is gone, add a touch of clear balm or gloss over the stain for natural shine.
5. Glassy high-shine
There are a few variations on this sheer, shiny lip look. You can go for a lip liner topped with a sticky, patent-shine gloss, or choose a sheer lip balm, lip oil or lip gloss to add a hint of colour to lips with a whole lot of shine.
Try this: If you like the finish of a silky lip oil, you’ll need to keep reapplying as longevity isn’t their strong point, but for more lasting colour, try wearing a lip liner applied underneath.
Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge also has some tips on different red lip looks to try and the prep that can be useful.
