Red lipstick is to makeup what the little black dress is to fashion – find the perfect one for you and you can wear it for years. However, sometimes it can be tricky to find the perfect lipstick for you. If you’re struggling to find The One, it may be because the lipsticks you’ve tried don’t flatter your skintone, or are too intense a colour. Give our handy guide to finding the perfect red lipstick a read, and you could find your match!
Before you do anything, you’ll need to know your skin’s undertones, i.e. whether you’re warm or cool. If you have more pink in your skin, then you’re cool-toned; if you have more yellow, you’re warm-toned. If you can’t work out which is which, there are a couple of tricks you can try. Take a look at the veins in your wrists – if they look blue, then you’re cool-toned, and if they look green, then you’re warm-toned. Alternately, hold gold and silver jewellery up to your skin and see which suits you more (try to ignore your personal preferences!). If silver looks best, then you’re cool-toned. If gold looks best, you’re warm-toned. Sorted! Now you can find your perfect red…
Cool-toned skin, blonde or red hair
Clinique Chubby Stick
Mightiest Maraschino
You suit soft, blue-toned reds that might even look slightly pink. Subtle reds are a lot more wearable on your paler skin, but if you love a dramatic and intense red lip, make sure you balance it with dark mascara and liner to stop it from overwhelming you. Our lipstick recommendation: Clinique Chubby Stick in Mightiest Maraschino.
Cool-toned skin, brunette or black hair
Mac Ruby Woo
Your contrasting colours mean that you can pull off brighter and more dramatic reds than blondes – so rock a Hollywood pout! Stick to blue undertones, but experiment with different finishes to find one that really pops. Our lipstick recommendation: MAC Ruby Woo.
Warm-toned skin, blonde or red hair
NARS Heatwave
You suit punchy reds with a little more orange in them to match the warmth of your skin. If you want something subtle for daytime, choose a coral-red shade. Just avoid brick or brown reds, which can be too heavy for your complexion. Our lipstick recommendation: NARS Heatwave
Warm-toned skin, brunette or black hair
Tom Ford Leonardo
A fiery red is the ideal match for your earthy colouring. Choose tomato or rust reds for a more wearable lip, or go dramatic with deep shades of burgundy and bordeaux. Just remember to stick to wine shades rather than berries. Our lipstick recommendation: Tom Ford Leonardo
