I’m a nude lipstick girl myself but one thing is for sure: It pays to have that one perfect red tube in your arsenal just in case. Especially when the holidays chime in and your little black dresses just won’t do without a hint of color. A red lipstick is best for when you don’t want to dabble into some eyeshadow. Plus the right shade and formulation can double as both a lip tint and a blush so,really, this item is an all-year necessity.
Before you begin that early Christmas shopping, (yes, I said it, Christmas. If the trees in the home decor section weren’t enough for you) might as well treat yourself to a red lipstick or two.
Skintone: Fair/Light
If you’re fair or tisay, you can get away with a bright, blue-toned red lipstick. Your picks can be:
L’oreal Paris Lipstick in Viva Red
With a high-shine finish, this is definitely for an evening affair. You may opt to sheer this out for a subtle look, just dot it in the middle and work from there. If you want the full effect, swipe just once over your lips as this product offers full pigmentation. Going back and forth will just make it clump up and slide off easily.
L’Oreal. Available at selected Watson’s branches. For more information,visit their website.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Red
This color from this classic range of Revlon has proven to be a go-to. It has a satin finish and works best when you layer it over a red lip pencil.
Revlon. Available at PCX. For more information, visit their website.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
Described as a rich siren red, it’s a reliable matte especially for those who don’t have the patience to wait for a liquid formula to dry down. Despite being in a chubby pencil packaging, the formulation is creamy so it doesn’t sink in your lip lines to create that weird, crusty look.
NARS. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Shangri-la Mall. For more information, visit their website.
Skintone: Medium
If your skin carries a bit more of a tan, enhance your yellow and orange undertones with red lipsticks that have a peach-pink tone to them. Here are your choices:
Etude House Dear My Blooming Lipst-talk in PK027
A sheer,shiny red this color is easy to wear even in the morning. Plus it smells like candy!
Etude House. Available at SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, and SM Makati. For a complete list of branches and more information, visit their website.
Max Factor Marilyn Monroe Lipstick in Sunset Red
As the name suggests, this red has hints of sunset orange in it. For tanned skin, this adds a juicier look further enhanced by the shine the formulation has.
Max Factor. Available at the The SM Store, Makati. For more information, visit their website.
Bobbi Brown Noursihing Lip Color in Claret
A hydrating formula with a satin finish, this shade is a burnt red, toning it down to a more wearable, natural red. It’s good to use ifyou feel like a pure red looks a little too harsh on your look.
Bobbi Brown. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Glorietta 4. For more information, visit their website.
Skintone: Dark
For olive skin tones and true morenas, you can venture into darker shades of red. Choose one that has a hint of purple, burgundy, or brown. These shades will help make the red pop without making your face look flushed.
MAC Lipstick in Studded Kiss
A deep oxblood red, this shade is good for a Halloween party or just to pull off a vampy look with just a sharp cat liner.
MAC. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Glorietta 4. For a complete list of stores and more information, visit their website.
Maybelline Vivid Matte in Vivid 5
This one is a little brighter than MAC in Studded Kiss with a more burgundy undertone. Though it is matte, it’s a little creamier so not much to worry about when it comes to chapping.
Maybelline. Available at select Watson’s branches. For more information, visit their website.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Lost Cherry
With a hint of bright red, this shade has a lot of punch to it, so keep everything on your face toned down. Nevertheless, it’s a flattering color given its warm undertone.
Charlotte Tilbury. Available online.
For all skin types
If you don’t want to bother with cool tones or can’t tell if a lipstick pulls a little more blue or pink with you, get these universally flattering shades.
Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Color in Candied Apple Pop
- A liquid lipstick blended with a primer, this lipstick has a warm undertone which suits everyone. However, it doesn’t dry down to a complete matte.
Clinique. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Glorietta 4. For more information, visit their website.
Sleek Lip 4 Palette in Tease
- If you’re up to it, you can mix and blend your own signature red using this palette. Made of a blue tone red, an orange red, a pink red, and a brown red, you’ll get a shade to match your skin and even your mood!
Sleek Make Up. Available via Sephora PH.
Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Matte Lipstick in Drop Dead Red
- A deep, rich, brown red, this one is for when you want to rock a dark red lip that won’t budge all night. Make sure that you give your lips a scrub first to rid it of any flakes and dryness so that the formula can stick smoothly.
Too Faced. Available at Sephora PH
Art by Dorothy Guya
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