So I've received a couple emails, even had conversations with numerous friends about wearing red lipstick or other colors. Some women stick to sheer glosses because they have a common misconception that color is not appropriate for women of a darker complexion. Wearing a red lip can be sultry and seductive when done correctly. It speaks volumes about the boldness of your personality, and confidence as a woman. However if done incorrectly, can have you looking like Wesley Snipes in To Wong Foo.... that is what i would like to call the EPIC FAIL.
Here is s step by step to wearing a red lip correctly.
Step 1 Exfoliate: It is imperative, think of it like building the appropriate foundation. Exfoliate your lips, peeling lips are no good, especially with a red lip. When I see young women like that, it reminds me of my grandmother who always had white specks of skin mixed in her lipstick as she attempted to kiss me.
There are certain tricks to the trade, I have learned from my mother, fellow beauty maven, over the years. Take an old toothbrush and take a small amount of sugar place it on your lips. Take the old toothbrush and gently brush your lips. After 5-10 minutes, rinse the sugar from your lip. You now have a smooth canvas to start with. If you do not want to use sugar or an old toothbrush, try Lip Strip Cooling Sugar Scrub by Laura Geller, $18.
Step 2 Primer: Like any painter knows, primer is necessary. If you do not have lip primer in your beauty arsenal, improvise. Take a small amount of foundation and blend into your Lip . Do not worry about the appearance of your lip; it is key to remember you are building a foundation. Foundation / primer acts as a filling agent. Filling in the tiny lines creating the illusion of a plumper fuller lip. If you are looking for a good primer to use try Big Mouth Primer by Philosophy
Step 3 Choosing your color: There is no perfect shade of red, more or less pick a red that complements the look you are trying to achieve to suit your personality, and complexion. There are a variety of hues to choose from; do not limit your self. Personally, I like to mix and match to create that perfect and unique signature blend of red. Then decide on a matte or glossy finish.
Step 4 Blot: Remove the excess red; don't stain those pearly whites! To finish off this look, many say put a thin layer of Vaseline over your teeth since the petroleum acts like a barrier. One trick that works for me is taking a pea size amount of toothpaste and rubbing it over my teeth. It leaves my breath feeling minty and fresh, and not thinking about red lipstick on my teeth.
Step 5 No "Bozo the Clown": A red lip is bold and vibrant to stand alone; no need to over accentuate with tons of eye shadow. Mascara and eye-liner does the trick with this look. Simplicity is key.
