Red lipstick...

[iamthedanger]

I've never been a big makeup wearer but I'm trying to embrace it a bit more. I'm nearing 40, mousy (highlighted), quite sallow skinned, grey eyes. I fancy a red lipstick...ive got a new shirt that I love with pops of very cherry red in it and I'd quite like to wear a lipstick to go with it, but I'm not sure I've got the nerve. My teeth are ok. I just don't know what shade so help me be brave and feel fun and frivolous.

[Drquin]

There was a thread the other day about red lipstick shades as a gift for a colleague .... You'd get a few suggestions on there. Personally I like MAC's viva glam.

But ......
Red lipstick on its own can look a bit random if you don't wear any other make-up. It's quite a "done" look .... So can look odd if the rest of your face is "undone"
And, pick make-up shades & colours that suit your skin tone / eye colour etc before matching to clothes. Not saying don't go for red (I can never resist one!) but pick one that suits you overall, not just one that matches one t-shirt.

[iamthedanger]

Thanks Drquin, I am wearing more makeup and will have a face full (I need it now! 😂), but I'm not a "heavy eye, bright lips, contour" person....only cos I can't! I've never worn red so I want to give it a go and I've researched colours for my skin type but I'm still not sure what I'm after.

[IoraRua]

Best bet is to wander in to a makeup stand and ask for recommendations. Viva glam 2 is my red, but I've tried ruby woo and liked it. It's a very personal thing though, picking a lipstick.

[RosesandRugbyPlease]

Do you like vintage colours? I love this one www.thehouseoffoxy.com/complete-the-look/rich-famous-lipstick-carol-lombard-coral

[MrsLettuce]

If you can get to a Mac counter they'll surely find you the right red, they have so many great shades.

Mac Ruby Woo is my absolute favourite, it's a true red so does allegedly suit an awful lot pf people. Rimmel Kate 111 is a very close dupe for colour but although it's matte it's less matte the the Ruby Woo.

[GeneandFred]

Mac Russian red for me.

Imo Mac have the best shades for me and I love the matte ones they do. They stay on forever. As op suggested get to a Mac counter they will point you in right direction.

[Hiddlesnake]

Boots No7 do a lipstick matching service which I've used before.
I get the most compliments about my lipstick when I wear Maybelline lipstick pencil in Red Essential

[leeds84]

Good advice here
www.lisaeldridge.com/video/25389/ultimate-guide-to-red-lips/#.V0vfX4GkqrU

[Stripeybetty]

I always wear bright lipstick. Im a fan of Mac but I've found Kiko and would highly recommend it. They have a few stores scattered about and seem to be rapidly expanding but you can also buy online. They are similar to Mac but slightly less expensive. Personally I think bright lipstick with light make up is best. I suspect you'll really bring out the grey in your eyes if you spend some time choosing the right shade for you. I would spend some time testing.

[ZacharyQuack]

A good "starter red" is Revlons colour balm chubby pencil in Romantic. It can go on sheer, but you can apply more layers to make it more opaque. It's really comfortable to wear, doesn't wear off in a weird shape and it's easy to apply because of the pencil shape. I find Ruby Woo to be too drying and it's pretty full-on for a red lip novice.

[ZacharyQuack]

Red lips look best with less makeup. So tinted moisturiser/concealer/whatever you feel you need to even out your skin, a bit of light blusher and neutral eyeshadow/no eyeshadow/thin line of black liner plus groomed brows and mascara. Lay off the bronzer, contour, complicated eyeshadow.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I actually think read lipstick looks off with a face full of makeup. It can get too much very easily.
I wear it all the time and I sometimes even skip mascara, you do need some definition on the eyes though.

You need a good base, but nothing heavy, that's all.

Agree also with Romantic, as mentioned above and agree with Zachary about MAC. Their lipsticks are very dragging on the skin. Go to Bobbi Brown, Nars, Chanel.

[witsender]

I have a new Smashbox lipstick which I love, Infrared Matte from memory. Lasts forever.

[Liiinooo]

I agree. Bright red with a full face of make up looks very burlesque, that's great if that's your style. I prefer it with very, light understated base, no blusher and just mascara for definition on the eyes.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Just adding, For cherry red, Tom Ford's Cherry Lush, expensive though, Chanel are good as well, Nars are more poppy reds.
Bobbi Brown Hot red is brilliant.


Romantic mentioned above is a poppy red as well.

[NatalieRushman]

My go to red is Mac Russian Red; I pair it with the He Said She Said liner. I definiens recommend a liner, it's so much easier to get a define lip, and lasts longer too. I don't wear too much makeup with a red lip - just very light contouring, mascara, and a little eyeliner.

[leedy]

Nars and Mac both have great selections of reds to try, it's worth going in to see whether you prefer bluey reds, orangey reds, true reds, etc. etc. Also don't wear much other makeup with red lipstick, just sheer foundation/light blush/mascara.

My current red favourite is Starlett Scarlet from the recent Mac x Charlotte Olympia range - it's a gorgeous true red.

[cressetmama]

Maybelline Hollywood Red is my choice, and it's fairly cheap if you get it wrong. Not as drying as the MACs IME, but Diva Glam has a red to suit everyone, and the profit benefits breast cancer charities.

[Liiinooo]

Leedy just texted my DD who is shopping in a town with a MAC store asking her to bring me home a Starlett Scarlet - it looks gorgeous.