Cover Photo Courtesy of Guerlain

“Give a woman the right red lipstick and watch her rule the world” – we might not be quoting a famed person who said that and made history, but this fact is undeniably true. A red lipstick is the first shade we wanted to wear when we were little girls as we searched our mom’s makeup bag, and it’s most probably the first that we have owned since we started officially wearing makeup. But the question is, have we got it right?

Every one of us knows that some red shades go better with our skin tones than others and in order to choose the perfect red, here are some helpful tips:

- Discover your undertone. As much as your undertone helps you in choosing the perfect foundation and eyeshadows, it will definitely help you pick the right red lipstick. Check the veins on your wrist. If they look blueish, your complexion is cool-toned and if they appear green, your skin is warm-toned.

- Warm skin tones go perfectly well with warm red orangey shades such as coral, red with golden shimmer, copper and browns.

- Cold skin tones call for red lipsticks with blue hues such as cherry, plums and purples.

- Neutral skin tones are the luckiest! They can wear pretty much every red lipstick out there!

- Choose a red shade that doesn’t make your teeth look yellowish. That sucks, we know, but even though you have to choose a warm hue, there are some that make your teeth look whiter than others.

- Your lipstick’s texture is pretty important. To give your lips the best look ever, listen to their needs. If they are too dry, opt for a creamy texture and keep them hydrated to ensure a perfect look. If you’re heading to a dinner, opt for a matte long-wear lipstick that doesn’t smudge with every bite.

- A great application technique makes your lips swooning. With this in mind, prepare your lips by exfoliating them and hydrating them with a lip balm before moving to the application of the lipstick.

Article Written by Mirella Haddad