Paint it Red

The bright orange lips of spring have darkened to red, and with all things vintage being very much in vogue again, the vixen red lips are all the rage.

Photo: Alexandra S. http://fav.me/d1voihg

The red lipstick is a powerful tool in a woman's make-up arsenal. It is a look that signifies old-school glamour, boldness, passion, and sexiness all wrapped in one kissable pout. This is one reason why a lot of woman are shy about using it.

Whereas traditionally 'red lipstick' meant a blood red colour, modern cosmetology has given us a whole spectrum of shades to choose from, so now there's a red for everyone.

For fair skin

Red looks striking against fair skin. If you've got cooler (pinkish) skin tones, avoid the pinkish reds, and opt for the orangey or black-red shades to counteract the ruddiness of your complexion. Conversely, if you have a yellowish skin tone, go for the really reddish reds. Avoid too pale pinks and orange tones, because they make your skin look pale and colourless.

For medium skin tones

Wheatish and duskier skin tones really open up under a variety of red shades. You can go from cherry red and fuschia to burgundy and maroon. What you do want to avoid are orange shades that look washed out against your skin.

For darker skin

If you're dark, but not bordering on black, you want to go for browner shades of red, such as brick red, or fuschia. Avoid pale pinks and oranges because they're too much of a contrast. For very dark skin, however, avoid the deep brownish reds, because it looks awful. Very dark skin, like very fair skin, provides an excellent canvas for bright, bold colours, which the mid-ranges find difficult to pull off.

Tips for the prettiest lips

* As is the case with any make-up, use a primer. Lipstick primers hold the colour in place. If you don't happen to have some handy, use a lip balm, and pat off the excess with a tissue paper.

* Lip liners are currently passe, so use a lip brush, your fingers, or the stick direct to apply the colour, dab away the excess, and you're good to go. The look is natural, and playful.

*Layer a transparent glossy coat for a wet look. If gloss isn't available, petroleum jelly does the job just as well.

*Tone down a too-rich shade of red by applying a coat of bronze or golden lip colour and blending like crazy. You can even recycle your bronzers and metallic eyeshadow by dusting them lightly over your too-red lipstick and blending to create unique colours.

* Balance a red pout with minimal make-up, and let your lips become the focal point of your face. Too much going on in terms of eye make-up, red lipsticks, etc can overwhelm your face.

Trending goodies for the season:

* Sephora Collection 01 Always Red cream lip-stain

* Urban Decay Super-saturated High Gloss lip-colour in Fbomb

* Make-up Forever Rouge Artist Intense #8

(Source: Sephora.com)

If you're trying out red lips for the first time, and aren't yet comfortable with going all the way, you can experiment with lip-stains and tinted balms to give you that sheer coverage. Laura Mercier's Truly Red Creme lip colour and Sexy Lips sheer lip colour are both great buys. If you want an environmentally friendly option that moisturizes your lips, grab yourself a tin of 'It Started with a Kiss' by Lush. It smells great!

On a final note, keep your lips exfoliated and moisturized, to get the most of your lip colour. Pucker up!