Have you ever thought a red lipstick isn’t for you? Yes, red is a bold color that can be a bit intimidating. But if you choose the complementary color and texture to your skin tone, red can be every woman’s color.
First, let us explain the color, red. There is no pure red. Red is the middle ground between warm red (red-orange) and cool red (magenta or purplish red). So, depending on your skin undertone, your perfect red changes. The texture is also important as well. So, here we go.
① Choosing One Based on Skin Tone
One of the many things that makes India special is diversity. From language, culture to ethnicity, our diversities offer richness in this world. And so with the skin tone. From light creamy complexion to dark golden complexion, no two people share the exact same color.
Depending on the complexion and skin undertone, there are different red that complements your skin. There is no right and wrong in color. So, in the end, it all depends on how you feel when it put on. But it does not hurt to know what complements each skin tone.
What is Skin Undertone?
So, you know your skin complexion. You have darker, lighter or medium skin. But undertone is another matter. It is not so easy to know. Lots of people have not even thought about this. Knowing skin undertone is very important in choosing colors in makeup.
The best way to find out whether you have warm or cool undertone is to look at your vein. If you have a greenish vein, then, you have an olive color warm undertone, looks more purple and pink glow on your skin (often with light skin), you have pink based warm undertone. If you have a blueish vein, you have a cool undertone to your skin.
Dark Complexion
If you have a dark complexion, there are two things to keep in mind. One is the undertone of your skin, and the other is the amount of pigment in a lipstick.
If your undertone is cool, you can play with plum red (has a tint of blue in it), and if your undertone is warm, then try brown/orange-based red.
And perhaps, more importantly, you need to make sure there are enough pigments in a lipstick to flatter your dark complexion. If there aren’t enough pigments, then lipsticks make you look ashier on a darker complexion.
One way to find out if the lipstick you picked is not diluted or not is to check the amount of titanium dioxide. Make sure the amount is lower if you have a darker complexion.
Medium Complexion
If your skin is anywhere from beige, olive to light mocha, you have a medium complexion. People with medium complexion have different skin undertones as well: cool, warm and even neutral.
People with medium complexion can work with from warmer red like cherry to cooler red like burgundy. If your skin is definitely olive-toned, which means your skin undertone is green, then orange based red looks great on you.
Fair Complexion
If your skin is from creamy white to light beige, you are in a fair complexion category. People in this category can work with red lipstick with a tint of blue.
Raspberry or most type of “berries”, magenta, red with a bit of fuchsia will make your lips stand out. One thing to be careful is the dark shade of red. It tends to look like you are aiming for a goth look. Of course, if that is your cup of tea, then perfect!
② Choosing One Based on Lipstick Texture
Lipsticks have different texture depending on the number of pigments, moisture and other substances. Usually, make-up artists use more than one texture to create glamorous lips. It is good to know what each texture offers in terms of looks.
Matte
Matte lipsticks last longer and give brighter color because they have less moisture and more pigments than other textured lipsticks.
This type of texture is best suited for giving the color red instantly. But it also looks a bit flat if used alone. You can create the depth to your lips with the use of lip liner and gloss.
Because it does not have much moisture, wearing a matte lipstick can make your lips pretty dry. Before putting the lipstick on and after removing your makeup at night, you might want to protect it with a lip balm.
Gloss
Lip gloss isn’t quite a lipstick. It usually comes in a bottle or a jar because it contains the more water-based substance. Using red gloss alone will not create the bright red lips you want, but this texture can make your lips look fuller.
If you have thin lips, it might be great to use it after applying a matte red lipstick to give luscious looks.
Liquid Matte
This texture is somewhere between matte and gloss. It usually comes in a bottle with a brush like application tool.
The coloring isn’t as great as matte lipsticks. But because of this, it could be perfect for someone who is ashamed a little to put bold matte red on.
③ Choosing One Based on Occasions
Well, there are endless occasions for red lipsticks. Basically, it is all about lighting. Whether the natural lighting from the sun or to the dim lighting at the dinner. So, we picked three occasions and give tips on what to look for.
On a Casual Occasion during Day
Basically, this means your lip is exposed to the sun, natural lighting. Natural lighting tends to accentuate red in your face.
So, wearing a simple red matte color on your lips might look a bit overwhelming. You can balance this out with a bit of lip gloss or removing about half of it with tissue paper after application. Or It is better to use liquid matte instead of matte.
Date with a Dinner
You are taking your date or being taken out to a nice restaurant, and you want to wear your stunning dress with your red lipstick.
Well, then, choose a lipstick that is “long-lasting”. You don’t want to finish your dinner with your lipstick completely off (and into your stomach). And the other thing is, matte lipstick works better in dim lighting.
Another small tip. If you don’t want to stain your wine glass or coffee mug, before you put your lips, wet(lick) the glass slightly. This helps.
Drinking or Dancing
So, in this occasion, the lighting can vary from dim to dark (and occasionally very bright). The key is to keep the color intact.
So, of course, you want to choose “long-lasting” lipstick, but also in matte red and outline it with a lip pencil. This helps avoid bleeding out when sweating.