Before we dive in, let's get this out of the way: Anyone can wear whatever red lipstick they like, full-stop. "The right red is the one that makes you feel good," Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles, whose clients include Margot Robbie, Gabrielle Union, and Lily Collins, tells Allure.
When it comes to makeup there is no bigger statement than red lips. The look is stunning, attention grabbing and a timeless classic. And the best thing is that anyone can pull off red lips.
"Anyone can wear red lipstick because it's just a color and it's for everyone. All you have to do is find your shade on the spectrum of red and you're all set."
Don't disregard red lipstick when you're 50 or older. Applied correctly, red lips make a beautiful, age-appropriate statement. As we age, our lips thin and become drier so it's important to choose a hydrating formula.
Although your average guy may not admit having as strong an opinion about lip colors, a recent study at the University of Manchester found that men really are attracted to lipstick, with red being the most captivating.
We can certainly see that red lipstick can make you feel bolder and more empowered. One study suggests that women wearing the shade are seen as younger—often a self-esteem boost. But much as we'd love to say it's universally accepted, it's hard to imagine that it's considered appropriate in every workplace.
Even though women of all ages adore the scarlet color, many middle-aged women avoid wearing it. It is estimated that over 30% of women stop wearing it after the age of 40.
For summer, a bold red lip is so flattering on sun-kissed skin and paired with a little white summer dress. It's the best combination if you ask me. As a summertime beauty must-have, a good red lipstick is at the top of my list.
Red lips are a classic but they're always on trend as well. They're at once classy and edgy, polished and elegant but unpretentious too.
You can never go wrong with a classic red lip. Opt for a red shade with blue undertones to create the classic cherry red pout while deeper reds will reflect a more vixen-esque vibe.
Until lipstick was popularized in the early 20th century, red lips were often associated with morally dubious women: impolite, sexually amoral, even heretical. In the Dark Ages, red lips were seen as a sign of commingling with the devil.
She revealed that the reason cabin crew members wear bright lipstick on flights is, “so passengers can read your lips during an emergency.”
It's a common misconception that red lipstick is only for special occasions or days when you want to make a statement. On the contrary, we would argue that it's totally possible to rock a red lipstick look every day of the week -- if you know how to do it right.
The bold and dauntless red was feminine, yet daring and powerful. It became symbolic of strength during a time when men were trying to strip that away from women. “In order to gain more notoriety and attention to their cause, some ladies would wear lipstick to their public events.
The key to picking the perfect red is understanding the undertones of your skin as well as the undertones of the lipstick—and how they work together. To identify your skin's undertones, simply check your wrist. If your veins appear more purple-ish, you have cool undertones.
“The French kiss look is when you apply red lipstick and then you blur the edges. I like to apply the red lipstick and then with a brush I gently blur the line. It's a way to have a statement which is a little more tender, a little more kind, and a little less spicy.
People with light skin tones can wear a bright red for a bold pop of color against their fair skin, but they tend to look better in cool reds or berry reds with blue undertones (think: cranberry).
Matte lipstick is a great choice for older women. Lighter shade lipsticks with matte finish will give a natural look to aged women. Should older women wear dark lipstick? Women over 50 should avoid darker colors of lipsticks on their thin and wrinkled lips.
The bottom line is, there really aren't any rules if you find a red lipstick shade that you love. Wear it any way you want. And how will you know it's the right red lipstick for you? It will look and feel just right.
Not any old blush, though—blush you wear with red lipstick should complement it without competing for your attention.
Blue-Based Red
While there are few makeup products more universally flattening than a red lipstick, there's a fine line between a red lipstick to make teeth look whiter and one that causes your teeth to resemble a not-so-bright hue. A blue-based red is the way to go — so stay away from any orange-based shades.
Are you usually comfortable kissing with lipstick on? Yes, but it's normally a cautious peck not a full-on make-out as most lipstick—no matter how well-intentioned the staying power—still tends to leave evidence behind.