Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Choose the right shade
• Method 2 of 4: Choosing the right kind
• Method 3 of 4: Apply the lipstick perfectly
• Method 4 of 4: This is how you keep your red lipstick optimal
• Tips

Red lips can be very sexy. Still, you need a little bit of knowledge to get this right. Red lipstick is often the best choice if you want to look cheerful and bold or if you are going to a fancy gala. Here's how to make sure your red lips look great.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Choose the right shade

1. Choose a bright red shade if you have fair skin. A true bright red hue contrasts beautifully with porcelain fair skin. It also brings color to the face. Look for shades with blue undertones (instead of yellow undertones) to bring out the warmth in your skin.
2. Try a coral red shade if you have yellowish skin. Your skin has beautiful red accents that have a golden background and are coral colored. Choose a red shade with subtle pumpkin undertones instead of a bright orange shade. Then your lips will look sophisticated instead of theatrical. EXPERT TIP

   If you have skin that is neither light nor dark, brick red suits you well. With skin that has been slightly tanned by the sun, you can give yourself a beautiful classic look with a bold brick-red shade. Don't worry about the depth of the color; choose a color that is slightly darker and richer than cherry red.

3. Choose a red shade with a pink undertone if you have olive skin. Rich, copper-toned skin is beautifully accentuated by a radiant bright raspberry red color. The bright component of the fuchsia and the raspberry red hues compliment the natural warmth of your skin. Don't put on neon raspberry shades, it will make you look too young or too old.
4. If you have chocolate-colored skin, choose a purple-red color. A deep chocolate color with a red lipstick that has purple as a base gives you a very chic look. Look for a purplish-red shade like a ripe pomegranate or an unripe plum with a little golden shimmer or glitter on top.
5. Try out a cherry red color if you have coffee-toned skin. If your skin is the color of black coffee, bright red also looks beautiful, for the same reason as with light skin: it creates a beautiful contrast. Look for a shimmery red shade with blue undertones.

Method 2 of 4: Choosing the right kind

1. Consider going for a matte red lipstick. Most classic are matte red lips. Matte lipsticks stay on your lips the longest and don't flake over time. This makes them ideal for a long day at work or during a night out to a concert, for example.
2. Try a glossy red lipstick for a modern red look. Unlike the shimmery red lip gloss we used to put on when we were barely teens, shimmery red lipsticks are now used to create a sophisticated look. Only put on a glossy red lipstick or layer it on top of a matte red lipstick so that your lipstick stays on for an extra long time.
3. Try a so-called "lip stain". The "lip stain" is becoming more and more famous in the world of make up; it is a liquid lipstick / lip gloss hybrid that stains your lips matte for about 12 hours. It looks very natural and stays in place very well. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to get it off. It is a great alternative to lipstick if you are looking for something that will last on your lips for a long time.
4. Try a red colored lip balm. If you're not ready to take the plunge with real red lipstick, try a red tinted lip balm first. These tinted lip balms have enough pigment to give your lips the traditional red effect and are easy to take off. They are a bit transparent and are often a bit shiny as well.

Method 3 of 4: Apply the lipstick perfectly

1. Make sure your lips are smooth and soft. A disadvantage of red lipstick (especially matte lipstick) is that if you have dry, flaky and chapped lips, they stand out. Therefore, scrub your lips gently with sugar to remove the dead skin cells from your lips. Then apply your favorite lip balm or lip moisturizer. After all, your red lips will look much better if you smooth and soften them first.
2. Apply a highlighter around your lips. To really make your lips pop, use a light concealer or highlighter and a small brush to apply it outside the lines of your lips. And gently blend out the outer edges of your lipstick to create a natural look. This draws attention to your lips and creates a nice contrast between the red of your lips and the natural tone of your skin.
3. Put on lip pencil. Unlike the lip pencil we used in the past, a skin tone or red shade is suitable for filling in the crevices in your lips with a greasy layer so that your lips become a smooth, empty surface on which to apply your lipstick. Start by outlining your lips at the edges and then fill in the whole thing with the lip pencil. If you accidentally slip, do not wipe it away with your finger, but for optimal results use some make-up cleaner with a cotton swab.
   • Move your lip pencil slightly outside your lips if you want them to look bigger.
   • You can also use a so-called "reverse" lip pencil: it applies a clear layer to your lips and prevents the lipstick from smearing.
   • If you don't have a lip pencil, consider putting concealer on your lips.
4. Apply an even smooth layer of lipstick all over the surface of your lips. You can do it directly from the lipstick container or with a brush so that you can work more precisely. Make sure to pucker your lips a bit so that you also color the soft center of your lips. This part is often overlooked.
5. Remove any excess lipstick. You've probably seen women with lipstick on their teeth; not really an attractive one. Prevent this by putting a tissue between your lips and gently pressing your lips together. You can also put your index finger in your mouth and turn it gently. It will likely smear the excess red lipstick on your teeth.

Method 4 of 4: This is how you keep your red lipstick optimal

1. Make sure the rest of your makeup is subtle. With red lipstick you make a statement, it is almost an accessory. If you are so outspoken in your lipstick, it is important to keep the rest of your makeup calm. Heavy eye make up in combination with red lipstick looks childish or too dramatic. Opt for neutral eye make-up with a calm skin for a classic look.
2. Check your lipstick regularly. Unless you are wearing a very fancy lipstick, your lipstick will likely come off over time. Avoid walking around with lipstick that is half on for a long time by checking the lipstick regularly. Wipe off any lipstick that has gone outside the edges and smooth out your lips by removing lipstick where it is too thick.
3. If you notice that it is no longer right, apply a second or third layer. Keeping your lipstick in order will make you look sophisticated and chic instead of sleazy.
4. Ready!

Tips

• Put powder foundation on your lips before applying the lipstick to make it last longer.
• Try out lipstick colors on your lips and not on your hands to make the best color combination.