Another way to determine whether your skin tone leans warm or cold is to consider what type of jewelry is most flattering against your skin. If you look better in gold, you likely have warm skin. If you look better in silver, you likely have cool skin. If both look good against your skin, you likely have neutral undertones. If you have neutral skin, you’re lucky—you’ll look best in muted tones, but your neutral shade lets you play around with lots of different shades.
Warm red lip color shade names typically include words such as orange, golden, sunset, coral, or fiery. If your teeth aren’t extremely white, you should avoid reds with orange tones in them. They have a tendency to make to bring out the yellow tones in teeth.
Cool red lip color shade names typically include words such as cherry, raspberry, burgundy, wine, rose, or crimson. A red lip color with blue undertones is an especially good option if your teeth are slightly yellow. The blue undertones help your teeth appear whiter.
Try on lots of different hues to see what shades most flatter your general coloring—you might be surprised by what looks good! If you have fair skin, a light or bright red lip color might suit you best. Dark red can also be flattering, though, particularly if you have fair skin and dark hair. If you have medium skin, you can get away with most shades of red, ranging from light and bright to deep and rich. If you have dark skin, bright or deep, rich red shades are great for a pop of color. For a more subtle effect, try a sheer or light red.
Matte red lipstick doesn’t provide much moisture so you should avoid it if you have dry, chapped lips. You can apply matte lipstick directly from the bullet or use a lip brush to get more precision. A matte red lipstick also works well if you want to create a stained effect and apply the color with your finger.
A cream red lipstick is a good option if you have dry lips because it can help hydrate your lips.
Sheer lipstick doesn’t last very long on the lips naturally. To make your look more dramatic and longer-lasting, pair sheer lipstick or gloss with a red lip liner. If you don’t have a liner, reapply often.
A liquid lipstick is likely going to be extremely drying. That means it will emphasize all of the lines in your lips, as well as any flaky, chapped areas. If you have dry lips, you should try another type of red lip color.
Apply red liner with your gloss for a stronger, longer-lasting look. Lip glosses are usually highly moisturizing, so a red gloss is a good option if you have dry lips.
You can also customize your lip stain’s color intensity. Apply one coat for a lighter look, or layer for more dramatic color.
While you can purchase lip scrubs at the drugstore and beauty supply store, you can also make one from items in your kitchen. Mix 1 part olive oil with 1 part sugar, and apply it to your lips just as you would a commercial scrub. You can also use a clean, damp toothbrush to exfoliate your lips. Just rub the brush lightly over your lips to remove any flakes.
To make sure that there isn’t any excess balm on your lips that might make the red lip color slide off, blot your lips with a tissue after you’ve given the balm time to be absorbed. Consider applying a lip primer to help keep your lipstick in place all day without feathering. [7] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.
For the richest red color, use a lip liner that matches the red lip color you’re using as closely as possible, or that’s maybe one shade deeper. [9] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020. If you want to keep the look of the red lip color soft, line your lips with a nude liner that’s similar to your natural lip color. If you do opt for a lip liner that’s darker than your lip color, apply the liner first, but fill in about half your lip. Then, apply your lipstick and press your lips together to blend the liner and lipstick together. [10] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.
If you’re using a traditional red lipstick, apply it directly from the tube for the most pigmented red color. You can also use a lip brush to apply the lipstick to edges of your lips for more precision. If you want to create a stained effect, rub your finger on the lipstick and then tap the color onto your lips. If you’re using a red liquid lipstick, it likely comes in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. The tip is usually slightly rounded so you can easily apply the color along the edge of your lips precisely. If you’re using a red lip gloss, it usually comes in a tube with a doe-foot or brush applicator. You can get a precise line along the edge of your lips with the applicator.
If you’re using a liquid lipstick, make sure that the lip color is completely dry before you add a second coat.
