Who doesn’t love a glam red lip to dress up a special occasion? Recently I’ve been rocking a red pout and received all rave reviews. It photographs so pretty and really can make your face pop, even if you only have a dash of mascara, blush and concealer elsewhere.
So many people are scared of a red lip and sadly I was one of these people for many years. Even while working as a freelance makeup artist for MAC cosmetics, I dreaded the holidays because a red lip look was required and I thought I looked crazy. Turns out I just didn’t know the tricks. So I’m here to share my newfound knowledge with you.
The first step to a perfect crimson pout is to figure out your shade. Due to all the red and pink undertones in my skin, I have to wear a really dark blood red. Anything bright with pink pigments makes me look very 80s. My best advice is for you to go to your nearest mac counter and play! And don’t be afraid to ask for help!
So now you have your shade, the next and probably most important step, is to get your liner on point. There is nothing more sad or tragic than a girl with sloppy red lips. It makes you look messy, unkempt and trashy. Also, your choice in liner can completely alter the shade of your lipstick. People always ask me what lip color im wearing when I wear red lipstick and the truth is – I can’t tell them because I blend so many products for a totally custom look it would take too long to explain. So first I like to cover my lips in concealer so I have a totally blank canvas and to give my products something to stick to.
Next comes a neutral liner. This is when I determine the shape of my lips. I usually over-line my lips for a big pouty exaggerated face, but because red is such a vibrant color, I will stick to my actual lip line, if not right inside. This is totally personal though. I have huge lips. (I prayed extra hard for them when I was a kid, don’t hate me. ) if you have a small mouth, you may want to over-line. Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s really precise and crisp.
Next, go in with your base color. This will determine what color your lipstick will turn. You can choose a red (brick from MAC is an all time favorite,) or you can be like me and go much, much darker. Because I want my lips to be a bloody, black red, I use “Night Moth” from Mac, which is a deep, dark gothic purple. I apply it pretty heavily around the outside corners, then smudge it in toward the middle for an almost ombré look.
Next I apply the actual lipstick. I always reach for “brave red.” But I know plenty of girls who are huge fans of ruby woo. Again, play until you find your shade. Make sure to apply with precision and don’t just smear it on in one swipe.
now it’s time to clean up any messes or mis-strokes. Using a stiff bristled brush and concealer, straighten up any jagged or messy edges.
Finally top off your look with a dab of gloss right in the middle of your mouth. Weird fact, there is a green gloss at Mac that goes amazing over red because it reduces any pink pigmentation that might come through. I like a dark purple or dark red gloss because once again I like a darker pucker.
And there you have it. Now you have a gorgeous red lip and it was almost so easy a caveman could do it. Now get out and show it off. No need to waste that sexy face on house work
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Appalachian Barbie 