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How to find the right RED for you

18 August, 2015 - 09:07pm by - First Lady | 30 Comments

Article by BR Natalie

The Rolling Stones, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, True Blood.  All have used iconic close ups of a red pout to get their message across - red lips are dangerous. Red lips are hot.  Red lips are sexy.

Red lips are also the colour of the Femme Fatale - there's something about a red lipstick that makes women feel bold and daring.  Red lipstick has been around for centuries.  In the middle ages women would make lip rouge out of sheep fat and mashed red roots.  Queen Elizabeth became a red lip advocate in the 1500s, a time when people believe lipstick to be magical and have the ability to ward off death. In the 18th Century opinions on lipstick was divided across the world - in England it was illegal for an unmarried woman to wear lipstick, whereas in America women were known to carry and suck on lemons through the day, to encourage their lips to redden.  

Thankfully not only do we live in a time when red lipstick is readily available, the choice is almost infinite.  So in our pro-red-lip society, how does a girl choose the best shade for her?

Skin tones

Golden or yellowy undertones are warm.  Blue and pink undertones are cool.  About 80% of women are cool, but a quick 'wrist check' will clear it up.  If your veins look blue, you're cool, if they look green you're warm.

It's commonly thought that paler girls must be cool and dark skin must be warm.  This isn't the case - You can be fair skinned and warm and you can be dark skinned and cool. If you're struggling to work out your undertones, book a consult at a reputable makeup counter, or ask your beauty therapist.

Complexions

Fair Skin

- Blue based deep cherry reds work with pink undertones to make lips stand out.

- Cranberries are a great option for warming up fairer skin tones, without being too goth.

- Wine shades contain violet which helps prevent fair skin tones from looking washed out.

Medium complexions

- Orange reds with slight blue undertones work well with warm complexions.

- Pinot Noir/Blackberry shades are the statement lip for a gal with a medium complexion.  Red based but mainly purple hues will create a striking look.

Dark Complexions

- Orange really stands out against darker skin, offering a bold, fun look.  You need confidence to rock this look.

- Maroon offers a complimentary depth of colour to a simple makeup look.  Keep your eyes simple and frame your face with great brow game.

- Raspberry reds are fun and flirty, and look delicious with a slick of gloss on top.

Hair Colour

Blonde with cool tones  -  Go for plum, rose, or reds with blue undertones.

Blonde with warm tones - Go for coral, orange or copper reds.

Dark hair with cool tones - Go for cherry, plums and merlots. 

Dark hair with warm tones - Go for browny reds and golden or orange reds. 

Red hair with cool tones - Go for blue reds and wines.

Red hair with warm tones - Go for lighter and brighter oranges.

So there you have it, our quick guide to choosing the right red lipstick for you.  If you're still a little miffed look at the shade name for hints and compare it to our list.  But don't be afraid to break the rules - if you love it, rock it!




 

 

Red lips are iconic.  The Rolling Stones, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, True Blood.  All have used iconic close ups of a red pout to get their message across. 

Like red nails, red lips are also the colour of the Femme Fatale - there's something about a red lipstick that makes women feel bold and daring.  Give the girl the right shade of red lipstick and she can conquer the world.  (Ok we know that quote is about shoes but you get the point!)

And like we discovered yesterday with nail polish, red lipstick has been around for centuries.  In the middle ages women would make lip rouge out of sheep fat and mashed red roots.  Queen Elizabeth became a red lip advocate in the 1500s, a time when people believe lipstick to be magical and have the ability to ward off death. 

In the 18th Century opinions on lipstick was divided across the world - in England it was illegal for an unmarried woman to wear lipstick, whereas in America women were known to carry and suck on lemons through the day, to encourage their lips to redden.

Our favourite tidbit about the history of red lipstick comes from the most prudish of prudes - the Victorians.  Lipstick became socially unacceptable for all but ladies of the night, meaning to achieve 'naturally' red lips women would kiss rosy crepe paper, bite their own lips and create tinted lip salves.  Women also secretly traded recipes and made lip rouge with their friends in underground lip rouge societies.  (Hands up who'd be part of that club?!)

Thankfully not only do we live in a time when red lipstick is available - we're also encouraged to rock the look.  Even if the hunt for the perfect red lipstick is almost as elusive as the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans.

Comments

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24th August, 2015

I overall suit darker reds and not orangey reds. But I can wear a bright red as well. The red for my skin and the red for my hair do slightly conflict though.

21st August, 2015

Very interesting, I know I can wear orange.. I like it, but reds? I have tried so far don't look right... purple on the other hand ;) So I might just have to try these suggestions and see if that changes, I was obviously looking in the wrong tones to start with :/

20th August, 2015

I want to buy redrum by jeferre star I think this may be my perfect red but for now I settle with cougar by Colorpop. I think this suits me it has a blue undertone.

19th August, 2015

Hmm I'm sill unsure of my skin tone bc my veins look green but they sometimes look blue am I colour blind? I do believe I suit blue based reds as I own one from.colorpop & I like the colour but for people to complement the colour on me indicates blue undertones suit me.

9th September, 2014

Thank you so much for this article! I love it, I have always had difficulty finding a red that suits me, and often find it a hit or a miss. I tend to find that a lot of reds available make me look very pale which is quite sad, and lost for which one to choose. However, this helps me a lot! I am using this as my guide now

8th September, 2014

And I think you just solved why my latest red lipstick does not suit me.... it doesn't have a blue base and as a pale skinned woman I should know better!!! Luckily I have friends it will be better suited to (well lucky for them anyway). Thanks BR you are like the older sister I never had x

7th September, 2014

I think I may try a raspberry colour next aftet reading this. I find red lippys scary

7th September, 2014

Every girl has to have a red lippy. This is a really good article to find out what shades of red suit you. I always knew I suited more darker reds.

7th September, 2014

I love seeing a beautiful woman wearing red lippie, there just seems to be something to glamorous and beautifully made up look they have.. I am personally not a big lipstick kind of girl, I have a couple pink ones and natural coloured, I have quite small lips so find a bright colour just makes my mouth look so tiny!! I think I will follow this guide and see if I can find a red to suit me :)

6th September, 2014

I made the mistake in my teens off wearing orangey bright reds trying to look glamorous instead with my acne face I and the wrong toned red I looked cheap. I steered away from reds for a long time after that sticking to pinks, browns, clear glosses, caramel and safe shades. Then a few years back I picked up a plum shade and really liked it, I don't have many lipsticks but I do have a plum shade I reach for when I want a to have a statement lip. It hard to pin point whether I am warm or cool toned as parts of my face are more pink and other parts have a definite yellow undertone. I would like to go for a slightly brighter shade than my usual safe plum when I have a bit more money for lippys.

6th September, 2014

Really interesting about how to determine the right red, I found it fascinating!....thanks BR!

6th September, 2014

This is awesome and this guide could not have come at a better time ! Thanks br

6th September, 2014

I'm a die hard red fan. It's my going out colour. eg Lime Crime's Red Velvet or Avon's Red 2000 which is an orange red. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

6th September, 2014

It took me 20 years to find a red with enough blue in it. Finally found it a few months ago! (Lime Crime - Glamour 101) I'm a natural redhead, and the orange and pink bases do terrible things to my complexion..and thats all I could find for years.

So happy with my red lippy now. Its a lovely vintage colour so looks awesome with pin up style make up. :)

6th September, 2014

I can't decide we there my veins are blue or green seems to be blue-green.I love red Lipps but have never been bold enough to go there this is a great read and help thanks BR

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