How To: Rock A Red Lip

The signature look that has graced the faces of so many prominent ladies over the past few decades has made a rapid comeback recently, appearing glazed across the lips of celebrities and college students alike! Red lipstick is a versatile way to play up any look and can be flattering to any skin tone and hair color—that is, if worn correctly. So here it is, ladies: the do’s and don’ts to choosing, applying, and rocking the infamous red lip.
 
DO choose the right shade.
Red lipstick comes in an incredibly wide variety of shades, so settling for the cheapest one at the drugstore probably isn’t a good idea. Shop around for a shade that works with your skin tone and that you feel comfortable with. It’s always helpful to stop by a makeup counter at a department store and ask for some expert advice or try a few colors on. Be picky! Wearing the wrong shade could wash you out and distract from the goal: to highlight your beautiful lips!
 
DO apply chapstick beforehand.
All too often, we see that girl out at the bar on a friday night who’s dry lips are cracking underneath the lipstick she applied before pregame. Don’t be that girl, ladies. A quick swipe of chapstick before applying will keep your lips soft and kissable! Make a habit of applying chapstick at night and in the morning to avoid dryness altogether.
 
DO apply foundation.
Smear some foundation over the edges of your lips with a thin-tipped brush before applying lipstick, says Poppy King, founder of Lipstick Queen. This will help avoid smudging and will stop your lipstick from moving past your lip line.

DO use lip liner.
I know what you’re thinking: so 90’s. But lip liner is crucial to not only achieving the look you want, but also to ensuring your lipstick won’t smudge outside your lip line. The only thing worse than lipstick poorly applied to your lips is lipstick applied to the rest of your face. None of us want that, ladies!
 
DON’T be shy about application.
Trust me, girls: it’s all or nothing with this one. Don’t be shy about applying a bold layer across both lips. The less you wear, the more it’ll look like you copped out at the last minute.
 
DON’T wear clashing eyeshadow.
The last thing we want is so much makeup that you look like you’re about to hop on stage at your high school’s spring musical. Take it easy on the eyeshadow. In this case, ladies, less in more. Emma Stone’s makeup artist Mai Quynh suggests choosing a dark liner for a more dramatic look and applying some mascara. But don’t go overboard with colors—too much will clash with your pretty red lips!

 
DON’T wear red lips with every outfit.
There are some outfits that simply should not be worn with red lipstick. The obvious include t-shirts and sweats, but other, less-apparent choices can be just as devastating to your look. Avoid pairing red lips with earth tones, for example. Black, white, and gray always work well with red lips; it’s just the right amount of accent color for your outfit. Consider pairing your bright lips with a patterned top or dress, but be cautious; remember, less is more.
 
DO be prepared.
The downside to red lips is that they require your attention fairly often. Marie Claire experts suggest equipping yourself with a compact mirror in case you need to do a quick check or reapply while you’re out. Don’t be obsessive though—the color should last for a fairly decent amount of time.
 
DO be confident!
You look beautiful! Red lips have the potential to flatter anyone, regardless of their skin tone, hair color, or style of dress. Be confident! Follow our suggestions and wear your red lipstick with the surety that you look great. Wear the lipstick—don’t let IT wear YOU.
 

Sources

InStyle 

Marie Claire 

ELLE Canada 

Megan Fox Rocks the Red Lip Perfectly 

Red Lip

Emma Stone Red Lipstick