in: Beauty

How to Find the Perfect Red Lipstick!

Have you ever found yourself saying, “I want to find the perfect red lipstick!” If I had a dollar for every time I was asked this question as a make-up artist, I’d be rich. First of all, I would make it and distribute it and be wealthy AF. This, however, is not the case.

Charlotte Tilbury lipliner in color Kiss “N” Tell with Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Fatal Apple .

Complexion

Not all undertones are created equal. The main factor in picking a red lipstick is finding a shade that complements YOUR skin tone and its undertones. Skin tones ranges from fair to dark, while undertones are the colors (red, yellow, or blue). Those two combined create your complexion. Those with more yellow undertones are considered warm, pink undertones are cool, and those with both (or neither) are considered neutral. When finding your perfect shade of red lipstick, keeping your undertones in mind will lead to a more complementary look. Little tip: this is true for foundation as well!

Here are a few tricks that can determine your specific skin’s undertone. First, does your skin tend to burn or tan in the sun? If you burn easily, you tend have cool skin, and those who tan are most likely warm. Another way to determine your undertone is to look at your veins on your wrists. For those with a cooler skin tone, your veins may appear blue, purple or green, while warmer skin tones will see green.

For those with dark skin, another undertone test is to hold a piece of white paper to your face in the mirror. Does your skin look more gold or yellow? If so, you have a warm skin tone. If your skin looks more reddish or purple, you have cool skin tone.

Once you know your undertone, you can start shopping for the red lip that bests suits your skin. To give you a frame of reference, I have a neutral undertone.

Cool Skin Tone Recommendations

For cooler skin tones, blue-based red shades are the way to go. One easy trick to tell if your red lipstick is cool-toned is by applying a light layer first. If it looks pinkish, then it’s most likely a cool color. M.A.C.’s Ruby Woo is a classic matte, red lipstick perfect for holiday parties, romantic date nights or just to be bold! M.A.C. created a regular and mini size, perfect for trying a color out. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso is a gorgeous true blue red. It is a creamy-matte, full-coverage lip color that gives moisture with bold, long-lasting color. Those with darker skin may opt for either a more pigmented color such as Ilia Color Block Lipstick in True Red or a sheer, everyday shade like Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Blackberry for a more natural red/blue tint.

Warm Skin Tone Recommendations

Warm reds/ orange-reds are best for golden or yellow undertones. To find the shade that best matches your skin if you are more fair skin toned, look to Nars Sheer Lipstick in Start Your Engines, Charlotte Tilbury in K.I.S.S.I.N.G LIPSTICK in color Love Bite, Gucci Beauty’s Rouge à Lèvres Satin in Goldie Red or the Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 Lipstick in the shade Hot Susan. A lipstick featuring the same Hot Lips Lipstick you love in collectable designs inspired by Charlotte Tilbury’s universe.The packaging is a leopard print and has refillable lipsticks so you can continue to use the gorgeous tube! For a deeper shade, the Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Shanghai Express is a stunning warm brick red.

Neutral Skin Tone Recommendations

Neutral-toned individuals get the best of both worlds from dark to light, they can wear blue-based or orange-based reds. This means that a classic red offers a happy medium that complements neutral tones. Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored provides an amazing color in a matte liquid formula, while YSL Beauty’s Rouge Pur Couture in Unapologetic goes the more traditional route with a creamy satin finish. Perfectly named, Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick in Red Carpet is another timeless shade for a bold rich red.

Last year I was ready to wear a bold, red lipstick. I found a few at Target that caught my eye. In my opinion, drug store lipsticks tend to be underrated. Here are two I can’t stop recommending to friends and family Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick in the color Own Your Empire and Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Shot Caller. I will be honest, those two from Maybelline may make your lips feel dry, but if you’re just looking for a beautiful red and don’t want to pay more than $10, I would try them. You can always find a less expensive red lipstick you love and try to color match it at your local department store.

Here are a few pictures of my favorite red lip colors in both blue based reds and orange-based reds…