The red lip: It’s bold. It’s elegant. It’s classy and timeless. The thought of it instantly evokes iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie and Taylor Swift. Don’t we all wish we had the talent to recreate this iconic red-carpet look, especially during the hot holiday season?
Well guess what? Sporting a bold red pout isn’t as difficult as you may think—here’s how to do it!
Many women feel intimidated by the thought of a red lip. There’s no doubt that this beauty statement attracts (and demands) a lot of attention. Luckily, the holiday season is the perfect time to break out of your beauty shell and try something new! And here’s the added bonus: it’s so glamorous that it only needs to be paired with a smidge of foundation and a few swipes of black mascara. When you think about it, the red lip will actually save you time and score you major points on the glamazon scale. Armed with these few steps that any collegiette™ can follow, you too can pull off sexy red lips this holiday season!
Jessie, a collegiette™ from Fordham in NYC and one of my best friends rocks red lips while out on the town. A brick-colored red works wonders for her light skin with rouge undertones.
Before rocking red lips, it’s important to make sure your lips are smooth and flake-free. Since red is such a bold color, any dry grooves or cracks in your lips will be glaringly obvious. Before applying your lip color, you have to prep your lips. A good way to gently wash away dead skin is by simply using a wash cloth. Wet the washcloth with warm water and then scrub your lips gently in circular motions, patting to dry. Afterward, you absolutely must apply a thin coat of clear ChapStick or lip balm. This application is vital; it marks the difference between supple, soft red lips and uneven cake-y ones! Since red lipstick is matte and can be very drying, keeping your lips moisturized is the key to successfully sporting this look.
Here I am wearing a rich burgundy: the perfect lip color to wear out on my 19th birthday! Those with tan skin like me look best in such maroon-ish colors.
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Just as no two collegiettes™ are created equal, neither are any two red lipsticks! The shade of red you choose should be based on your skin color. If you have fair skin, then a coral-y red is your best bet. It gives the perfect pop of color without being too overpowering. Those with medium skin have the coloring for a true red, which works great with golden undertones. If you have tan or dark skin, stick with deep colors like burgundy, since super bright ones can be too harsh.
Whether your lipstick comes in a tube or pot, using a brush to apply it gives precise edges.With your lip brush, apply color to the center of your lips first and then out to the edges of the lip. This little rule of thumb will prevent you from applying too much. With its intense red color, a thin coat of lipstick is all that is needed.
After you’ve put the color on, make sure to check yourself in the mirror! Red lipstick means having all eyes on you, which means all eyes on any red smears that might have snuck onto your teeth. To prevent this mistake, use the age-old “finger trick.” After applying the lipstick, take your index finger, pop it in your mouth, close your lips around it and then pull it out. The excess lipstick will come off on your finger rather than your teeth!
My bestie Melissa, a collegiette™ from George Washington Univeristy, wears red out on her birthday too. Her medium-toned skin with yellow undertones was made for a true cherry red!
Collegiettes™, I know we all want to feel our very best during break, which is difficult to accomplish after the little sleep, major stress and the endless amounts of junk food that accompanied finals. For an instant pick-me-up that’ll have you looking smokin’ this holiday season, pucker up for the mistletoe and put on some red lipstick! Just remember to prep, choose the right shade and check your pout in the mirror before heading out for a night on the town. Happy holidays!