Holiday Makeup Ideas: Red Lips

December 13, 2009

Christmas is never quite Christmas without red lips so read on to find out the different ways you can rock the color!

Matte Red Lips
Classic matte red lips are never out of style. Pair it with winged black liner and fake lashes for a retro glamour look like Camilla Belle or smoky bronze eyeshadow like Mary-Kate Olsen.


Camilla Belle and Mary-Kate Olsen


Product Recs: Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Lipcolor in Absolute Rouge



Glossy Red Lips
Matte lipstick can have an aging effect so if you are still a teen or want to take a few years off your face, try a gloss or a lipstick with a shiny finish.


Emporio Armani and Viktor & Rolf


Product Recs: MAC Tinted Lipglass in Russian Red and Hard Candy Painted Lady Lip Color in Kitten



For a step-by-step tutorial on how to create the perfect glossy red lips, check out these tips from Lancome’s national makeup artist Alex Sanchez.

Stained Red Lips
If you are not used to wearing reds, ease your way in with a lip stain. Alternatively, makeup artist Bobbi Brown recommends “dabbing powder blush over your lipstick with your finger” for a stained look.

Product Recs: Benetint and DuWop Twilight Lip Venom



Need help on picking out the right red? Click here for more tips!

9 Comments

  • Reply jamie December 13, 2009 at 4:36 am

    wow mary-kate olsen looks so washed out in that picture that she could possibily be one of the cullens.

  • Reply Joanna December 13, 2009 at 9:40 am

    agreed ! =D But i love it. wish i was that fair. =D

  • Reply amy December 13, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    I am so inspired to wear reds lately and I just wore a looks similar to Mary Kate’s yesterday, except that my lips were a glossy red and I am very tanned compared to her. Lancome’s Absolute Rouge is on my potential shopping list.

  • Reply Rozylipop December 13, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    Hey I hae a question for you, maybe you can help!

    I have small lips… I’m young but I have a lot of little vertical fine line on them… they’re not smooth…

    So everytime I put on lipstick, without gloss, it creases and when I smile we can see the lines and it’s not pretty!! Sine I think matte red is really gorgeous, do you have any tricks to stop my color to crease?

    I’ve tried the L’Oréal infaible lipcolor and it doesn’t crease, but the finish is not matte at all… so would you recommend a lip primer and if yes, whitch one? Thanksss!!

  • Reply Phyllis December 14, 2009 at 1:19 am

    Rozylipop,

    If you have a lot of lines on your lips, chances are your lips are chapped so first, you need to invest in a good lip balm and apply religiously.

    Matte lipsticks tend to be on the drying side (which explains why your lines are being accentuated) so again, you need to prep your lips with a generous layer of balm before you apply lipstick.

    I have chapped lips myself too and I personally try to stay away from lipsticks that are completely matte. If you like the matte look, you can always try a lipstick with a satin finish so it’s not completely matte nor glossy. I also find blotting with tissue in between coats help “mattify” the look.

  • Reply kristie December 15, 2009 at 1:44 am

    i love this look but unfortunately i don’t think such a vivid red would ever work on me :(.

  • Reply Phyllis December 16, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    Aww I’m sure you can rock red lips Kristie! I never wore red/bright lipsticks until 1+ year ago. It just takes some time to get used to the color.

  • Reply Rozylipop December 17, 2009 at 12:31 am

    Thank you! I just ordered a new lip balm! I’m going to try this and you’re right, especially right now, my lips are sooooo dry!

  • Reply BowsNHearts December 19, 2009 at 2:14 am

    I love Benetint! I use it for my cheeks and lips!

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