From shades of crimson and scarlet to cherry and oxblood, there’s nothing more chic than a painted red lip, especially during party season.
Here, to help you achieve the perfect pout before the Bells, expert make-up artist Saffron Hughes shares her top tips for finding the right shade for your complexion then applying the colour like a pro.
Set the tone
According to Hughes, the first tip to selecting the right shade of red is determining your skin’s “undertone”.
She explained: “If your skin burns in the sun, it’s likely you have a cooler skin tone. Also, look at the veins on your wrists – if they are blue or purple, you have a cooler skin tone, but if they are green, you have a warmer skin tone.
“If your skin is darker, try holding a white sheet of paper to your face. In comparison, if your face has red or purple undertones, you have cooler skin. Gold or yellow undertones, however, signal a warmer skin tone.
“Those with neutral skin tones will find it difficult to decipher the above, and will suit both silver and gold jewellery.”
Choose your shade
Hughes continued: “Once you have determined your skin’s undertone, you can pick the perfect shade of red.
“For cool tones, opt for blue-based or pink-based reds – think raspberry tones. Orange-based reds can also really help brighten up your complexion.
“For warmer tones, think fire engine reds with gold or peachy undertones. These won’t wash out your complexion. For neutral tones, universally complementary shades of red, with equal amounts of blue and orange, will suit you perfectly. Brighter and bolder reds will suit neutral tones, and are perfect for the festive season!”
Prep and line
Now you’ve found the perfect colour, it’s time to apply.
“Start by exfoliating properly,” said Hughes. “Mix 1tbsp of coconut oil with 2tsp sugar, and massage this mixture onto the lips to get rid of any dead skin cells. Next, moisturise with a lip primer, wait five minutes for it to absorb, then proceed with lip liner.
“Mark an X on your cupid then join to your natural lips in the outer corners. Overline the bottom lip slightly, beginning at the centre, and slowly work your way out, tracing the natural edges of your lips.”
Fill then define
Saffron said: “To finish, use a flat lip brush to apply the lipstick carefully over the initial pencil layer. Fix any mistakes by going around your lips with concealer, blending into your foundation.”
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