Red Lips - Not Scary!

Red lipstick is one of the hallmarks of classic femininity and glamour. It's a look that screams "Look at me!" and makes you feel like a movie star. Think Marilyn Monroe, Betty Boop and any classic pin-up girl. Think Dita von Teese, Madonna, Marlene Dietrich.

I get asked a lot about eyebrows, liquid eyeliner and false eyelashes but most of all I get asked about red lips. It can seem intimidating, particularly for those of us who wear lipgloss or naturally-toned lipstick or lip balm exclusively. These lips are the high maintenance divas of the beauty world (kinda).

It can be high maintenance to wear as it does need to look perfect but there are ways to wear red lips that doesn't require precise lines and numerous applications throughout the evening.

Sophia Loren

I've collected a bunch of photos to illustrate how red lips can be worn by pretty much every skintone and hair colour. It's perhaps most dramatic worn on someone with fair skin but it's a myth that redheads can't wear red lips and a red lip on a woman with olive skin or very dark skin can look extremely sultry. Just look at Sophia Loren in the above photo.

Tone: Tone is key when you're looking for a red lip. If you scroll through the photos below, you'll notice there are variations in the shades of reds being worn. Some are true blue-reds (see the photos of Scarlett Johansson as a brunette, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna and Alek Wek) and are best for skin with cool undertones. Others are red with warm tones - orange-red and brown-reds (see the photos of Scarlett Johannsson as a blonde, Julianne Moore, Penelope Cruz and Gabielle Union). A tamer version of the red lip can be seen in the photos of Oprah Winfrey and Chanel Iman - they're both wearing berry-toned reds.

True reds can look harsh on older women, so it's a good idea to look for warmer-toned reds or berry-reds for a more softening, flattering look.

Redheads need to be extra cautious when choosing a red lipstick. There's a reason why it's said (falsely) that redheads shouldn't wear red lips. Use these ladies as your inspiration and make sure your lips don't clash with your hair.

Texture: In most of the photos below, the red lips are created with lipsticks, either matte or with a bit of sheen to them. On the ladies with darker skin, there's more sheen and some appear to be red glosses. On the ladies with pale skin, the lips are matte.

The easiest way to wear a red lip is as a stain and it's also a good way to start, if you're scared by the drama of the red lip. You can buy stains ready made - Benefit and Tarte make good ones - or make your own using a red lipstick. Simply exfoliate your lips using a dry, clean toothbrush and apply a good lip balm. When you're ready to apply your colour, blot any excess balm off your lips with a tissue and using your finger, tap lipstick onto your lips. The balm on your lips will ensure not too much colour will adhere to your skin. When you've finished applying, blot your lips gently with a tissue. Apply another layer of colour and blot again. The layering of colour will ensure a "stained" effect and will help it last.

A red gloss is another way to wear a less scary red lip. You could even use a stain and then top it with gloss for a light, glossy, sheer red lip (see the photo of Beyonce below). Some good ones are: