How to Apply Perfect Red Lipstick
Makeup Styles Come and Go but Classic Red Lips are Always in Fashion
Nov 5, 2009
Red lips have always been one of the top classic, timeless makeup styles. This fall/winter season pairs bold red lipstick with simple eye makeup, flushed cheeks, and defined, elongated brows. Follow these steps for perfect, modern red lips with a vintage flair.
Start With a Lip Liner Base
After the lips have been prepped with exfoliation, moisturizer, and concealer, the lip liner is applied. The lip liner should be a red that is a similar shade to the lipstick color. Maybelline makes a traditional pencil-style lip liner, Color Sensational Lip Liner in Red 50. Estee Lauder Automatic Lip Pencil Duo in Poppy Red, a retractable lip liner, has lip liner on one end and a lip brush on the other.
Application can be done in one of two ways:
- Line the outline of the lips first and then fill in the remaining area, creating a solid red lip.
- Start at the middle of the bottom lip and color out towards the corners. When the outer line of the lip is reached, outline the lips.
For a fuller look, lip liner should extend just outside of the natural lip line.
Apply Lipstick Color With a Brush or From the Tube
Apply the red lipstick to the lips with a lip brush or straight from the tube. When using a brush, load brush with color by sweeping across lipstick. Start applying at the outer corners of the mouth and work inward using small, tight strokes.
A single red lipstick can be used, in shades varying from berry red to crimson to an orange red. Two or more lipstick colors can be combined to achieve a new, unique color. Brush lipstick from the first lipstick color onto a palate, or even the back of the hand. Brush lipstick from the second lipstick color into the first and blend together before applying.
Finishing Touches For Perfect Red Lipstick
Any mistakes or smudges outside of the lip line can now be corrected. Use a precision angle brush, like an eyeliner brush, or a tight-bristled lip brush coated in the same foundation or concealer used earlier and paint over any mistakes.
Use a matte lipstick or a sheer lipstick for a softer daytime look. For a bolder evening style, finish lipstick with a clear or red lip gloss.
Take inspiration from old photographs and imagery. Glamour Daze has many pictures and vintage posters from the 1940's to check out and The Swing Style Syndicate shows color choices in makeup and nail polish.
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