Party season is the perfect excuse for me to unveil a guide to finding your perfect shade of red. Christmas parties or just regular parties are always a good occasion to get those glamorous red lips on – but really, you don’t need to find an occasion, there is always a reason for a red-lip-day.
Whether you need to brighten a not-so-good day or simply give yourself a boost of confidence, I have selected the best shades for your skin tone below.
Cool Reds
A cool red in the beauty industry means that there is a blue undertone, which will best compliment olive skin tones or skins with yellow undertones. Those shades are often red with orange or pink in it and they give an amazing luminous glow on the face. Try one of the below shades and it will just look like you are back from a two-week vacation on the beach.
MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger
An orangey-red that, trust me, will instantly brighten up your day. Start applying a thin layer, to begin with, and intensify the color until you are happy with the result.
Shop → MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger • $17.50
Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Harlow Red
The multi-purpose pencil! Its gorgeous creamy formula lines the lips and gives you a great deal of color. Try it on your cheeks and eyelids – you might be surprised.
Shop → Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Harlow Red • $28
Classic Reds
That shade of red that suits all skin tones – a true classic which is wearable day or night, for a fancy occasion or just because you feel like it. It is the shade that makes teeth appear whiter, your face happier and brightens your mood. Basically the cure to anything.
Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Parisian Red
This Bobbi Brown Parisian Red is like the name says, the perfect Parisian Red. Not too dark, not too pink, it will give you that French girl je-ne-sais-quoi.
Shop → Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Parisian Red • $35
MAC Matte Lipstick + Lip Pencil in Ruby Woo
A legend within Mac red shades – yes just that. This universal shade is the true classic red that will suit all skin tones and work for every occasion. No need to say more.
Shop → MAC Matte Lipstick + Lip Pencil in Ruby Woo • $27
Dark Reds
Especially great on darker skin tones, these shades will also nicely complement a winter look. The trick with darker shades is in the application, be patient and go layer by layer. Start with a thin layer and work it into the lips. Then apply another layer until you are happy with the finish. Easy as 1 2 3!
Illamasqua Lipstick in Box
Illamasqua’s highly pigmented lipstick provides intense, long-lasting color with just a single stroke. The Box is a rich shade of scarlet red and can be used for a bold evening look.
Shop → Illamasqua Lipstick in Box • $24
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Consuming Red
A very dark wintery red that you will not be able to get enough of! The easy pencil packaging makes it super easy to apply and touch-up – a no-brainer!
Shop → NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Consuming Red • $23
image source: Harper’s Bazaar
