Another lipstick thread (sorry)

[TR888]

Am I the only person ever that can't wear lipstick?! I haven't yet found a shade that doesn't she me. I love lipstick in others, but the moment I apply it, I look older in it. It might be bc I have quite thin lips (although not as thin as others), and I'm 52 - but I adore red lipstick in older women.

Why can't I make it work for me? I feel like my face "needs" it to perk up my look. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong?

Sorry about the typos... 🙄

Try lip liner pencil first to slightly enlarge the outline?

Same, I just wear tinted lip balm. It doesn't suit every face, particularly if you have quite 'low contrast' features

I do... but Iip liner looks aging on me! It's something to do with the sharp edges (even if I blend it a little). I don't know what it is, but it makes me look stark and old-fashioned somehow.

Maybe I haven't found the right shade? The more flattering ones so far are brown-y nudes, but they're still not great. Any tips!

Agree with this. I have soft, low contrast colouring and bright colours are never going to be my best look. My favourites are sheer formulations in rose/plum colours.

I'm a soft autumn and can only wear very muted lipstick in peach/brown/brick shades. And even those shades don't work if they're on the brighter side. I also have very thin lips so have spent decades avoiding lipstick but have recently found that if I stick to the right shades it can work for me.

I’ve got similar colouring but have quite full lips, so sometimes lipstick can just look a bit much on me. I tended to stick to Chanel lipsticks because their nudes are quite muted and soft, Dior nude 100 is also great. I’ve tried every red I can find over the years and they are all too much, the contrast makes me look ridiculous. But, I have finally found a wearable red, it’s by Mac and it’s called Business Casual. It’s described as a nude red and it’s very muted and can be worn sheer or built up, I’d definitely recommend it.

@Amortentia That does look nice, thanks for the recommendation! I can't tell if it's still a bit on the pink side for me but I've been looking for a red so I'm tempted to give it a try.

@Amortentia thanks, I’ve ordered this from Mac (£18 + £2.95 delivery). I’ve tried reds many times and look terribly brash somehow. Never actually even left the bathroom wearing red. I think partly my eye needs to adjust to seeing it? I will report back if anyone is interested.

When I got my colours done and it came to the lipstick part I was amazed at the difference matching to my "season" was. I mean there are so many shades of red. Even if someone says bright red there's a huge range.

They say your best shade is the colour of your nipples...

@WeRateSquirrels can you recommend a sheer formulation in a plum colour? I tried Bobbi Brown’s but it was so sheer it barely made any difference.

What kind of lipstick have you been trying? Maybe Amortentia’s suggestion of a sheer lipstick would work.
I have Nars afterglow lip balm in Turbo. It gives you the perk of red without the oomph.
I love Korean lip tints, too. Rom&nd glasting water tint in red only is a lovely true red, that has a soft effect. Dewyful water tint in Cherry Way is a blue red that also is a soft finish.

I posted this in another lipstick thread(maybe we should pin it to the top of the forum😁)
https://beautyunhyped.com/2023/02/13/the-ultimate-red-lipstick-comparison-post/
The blogger has swatched 80 red lipsticks and categorised them into colour groups.

Unfortunately my favourite plum is the Beauty Pie lip oil in Plum Naked which is also very sheer. My other every day favourite is their lip crayon in Sexy Berry (stupid name) which is more of a rosey brown and probably not purple enough to be classed as plum.

Thanks @WeRateSquirrels !

That's going to make for an interesting time in Boots

@JaneJeffer 😂

I am quite scared of reds too especially because I usually get compliments on my makeup up from my husband, but if I wear red my whole family say no, it’s too much. 😂 When I saw this shade online I wasn’t sure, but thought that I’d be brave and just give it a go, thinking I would wear it a couple of times to help me get over my fear. Luckily, it is very wearable and comfortable on the lips and everyone has liked it so far.

Sorry for the late reply! So many recommendations... I like the idea of a sheer red - didn't know such a thing existed!

Update for anyone interested - Mac Business Casual arrived today. Pleased with it. It’s not a pillar box red but a much quieter browny/orangey red and suits me pretty well I think. A good first step in the red direction for me. Very slightly shiny but for someone who is a bit scared of wearing red or isn’t used to bright lipstick I think it might suit. Definitely going to wear this.

Thanks for the recommendation @Amortentia .

You’re welcome. I’ve found it is a shade that is easy to wear and get used to reds if you’re like me and not used to wearing them. It is a luster glass formula but if you’re not keen on that blot it with a tissue so you get the benefit of the colour without the shine.

Not disputing this at all, I just have visions of getting to the Estee Lauder Counter and wapping them out saying match this please!