New beautiful (and at times, bizarre) makeup trends show up on the runway every season. But no matter what’s en vogue at the moment, red lipstick is always a sure bet. Classic, glamorous and scientifically proven to boost your attractiveness, every woman should have a go-to tube in her bag.
Feeling intimidated about going bold? Makeup artist Stephen Dimmick suggests to start out with one of his favorite tips: Apply just one swipe to your bottom lip, and then rub the lips together to turn it into a very sheer lipstick. It doesn’t have to be applied in a harsh, hard line. A sheer coverage with a diffused edge makes it even more wearable for any woman, any day.
When choosing the right color—of lipstick and any other kind of makeup—your focus should be on what it’s going to do to your skintone, Dimmick stresses. “If people are just noticing the lip color and not noticing you, it’s probably the wrong lip color.”Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned red-lip rocker just looking for a new favorite, read on to find the best new fall lipstick to compliment your skintone. (Hint: To figure out your undertones, look at the veins on the underside of your forearm. If they’re mostly blue, you’re cool; mostly green, you’re warm.)
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Fair Cool: A blue-red will complement your cool tones perfectly. “Jewel tones on light cool skintones are electric; they pop, they really enhance the complexion,” says Dimmick.
Try: Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Crimson, $16
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Fair Warm: “I love to go more for an orange-red,” Dimmick says, or even a truer orange will work, too. When you put an orange color on a more orange skintone, it’ll actually enhance the redness, he adds.
Try: Shu Uemera Vision of Beauty Rouge Unlimited in Red, $30
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Medium Cool: If you have a cool skintone, your best color is going to remain the same: blue-red. If you want, you can opt for a deeper shade than those with lighter skin. Dimmick suggests using a lip pencil or crayon though: “The darker you go, you want the color to become more part of the texture of the mouth rather than being something you’re putting on top,” which is easier to do with a pencil.
Try: Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lipstick Crayon in Fraise, $24
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Medium Warm: Take advantage of your warm tones and medium color by rocking a red with orangey undertones.
Try: Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color SPF 16 in Red Orange, $10
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Dark Cool: Dark red berry colors are gorgeous against darker skintones. “Sometimes a really deep red can look a little bit gray on darker skintones,” Dimmick notes, so try layering to get the best and boldest color. Use a deeper pencil underneath the red so it gives it something to mix with and create more depth to compliment the skin’s color.
Try: Butter London Lippy Moisture Matte Lipstick in Ruby Murray, $22
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Dark Warm: Try a deep, wine-colored red, like burgundy or bourdeaux. If it looks too dark, try Dimmick’s swiping method to apply it a little sheerer for a lighter wash of color.
Try: Avon Ultra Color Bold Lipstick in Bold Bordeaux, $6
