Lipstick is a winter staple, but it doesn’t come without its perils. Here, Ruth Ní Leannacháin contemplates the dos and don’ts of the world’s most consistent make-up product.
The New York Times have described it as an economic indicator and everyone from tomboy Alexa Chung to ultimate glamour pin-up Dita Von Teese is at it, but whilst red lipstick has been a staple of women’s make-up bags since ancient Mesopotamia, it still seems to be something we struggle to figure out. To help you make the right choice here’s a quick guide to help you on your way.
Matte or Gloss? This is the first question I always ask myself when considering a lipstick. Gloss is feminine and modern but with Irish weather as it is, it’s likely you’ll end up with more hair on your lips than lipstick. Matte is my preference, it’s classic and easier to wear with a little preparatory work. To avoid the chapped look ensure to exfoliate your lips using a lip scrub or an extra soft tooth brush and then apply a moisturiser (I recommend Burt's Bees or some ChapStick). Wait for it to absorb and you’re good to go.It is undeniable that the most important thing to take into account when choosing lipstick is its undertone. If you’re self conscious about your teeth, a blue undertone will make them appear whiter, but an orange undertone should be avoided at all costs, unless you’re after the Pete Doherty look. If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask for a tester as most counters will be more than happy to let you road-test the shade before making the all important commitment. A red lipstick is definitely not something you should purchase without seeing it on your lips, a swatch on the back of your hand will not suffice.Thanks to its rise in popularity again, there seems to be red lipstick for everyone’s taste and budget. While we would all, in an ideal world, splash out on something like Chanel's La Fasinate–the ultimate old school red- Mac’s Ruby Woo or Lady Danger are excellent dupes. If Mac is still a little too expensive, the Kate Moss collection for Rimmel has offerings to everyone’s taste, from a vampy burgundy to a bright daytime red and if you’re feeling extra daring, you can even opt for a deep purple.The last thing to remember when contemplating a red lip is lip liner. Lipstick without lip liner is like eyeliner without mascara, not bad, but not right. Always choose a shade brighter than your lipstick of choice and apply all over the lip. This not only helps you achieve a better shade, but if insure sure your lipstick stays in place all night.
