VIDEO: Secrets for a Perfect Red Lip

Charleen Gonzalez, Shine Latina

Red lips are definitely in for the holiday season. Learn how to pick the right shade for your skin tone, and get the look in my video tutorial.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba



Red lips are a holiday staple. I personally love wearing red lips all the time, and a good, basic red lipstick should be in every woman's makeup collection. Even though I adore red lipstick, it can be a pain to apply if you don't do it correctly. If you take the time, and follow my five steps to perfecting a the look, you'll be able to have a flattering, lasting lip color that everyone will love!

Red-orange lipstick for Latinas
If you have an olive skin tone, then you have the luxury of being able to pull off any red color. It is true, however, that red-orange lipsticks look the best on olive complexions and really stand out against yellow undertones. I have a few favorites I like to use; I love By Terry's Rouge Terrybly in 21 VD which is the perfect shade of red-orange and Bite Beauty's Matte High Pigment Matte Pencil in Zinfandel, an electric coral. When I don't want to wear bright, red-orange lips, I opt for Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti for a more subtle look.

Watch my tricks for creating the perfect red lip:

Classic red lipsticks
I'm a huge fan of the classic red lips like the ones Marilyn Monroe would wear. A good, basic red lipstick is MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in N45. This lipstick gives a shiny and hydrated look to the lips, getting rid of any dryness. For a darkerer option, try By Terry's Rouge Terrybly in Red Ceremony. Lastly, I love Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic for a true red finish that lasts throughout the day and is easy to apply.

Step-by-step guide:
Step 1
Prep your lips with a lip exfoliator like Bite Beauty's Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub. You want a smooth canvas to work on, because red lips can exaggerate any imperfections.

Step 2
Line your lips with a red pencil. I used Hourglass Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner in Icon which is a classic red shade. First, I line the outer edges of the lips, giving special attention to the cupid's bow. Then, I completely fill in the lips with the pencil. Doing this step will ensure the longevity of the lipstick you put on top. Finally, I used the lip brush attached to the pencil, and blended it out.

Achieve a complete holiday look to match your red lips with this tutorial

Step 3
Take a lip brush and your favorite red color, and add a layer of lipstick to your lips. I used Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Icon. A lip brush can get into every nook and cranny, and add an even layer of product to your lips. If you already have a layer of lip liner on, you should only need to add one layer of lipstick. If you want to add more than one layer, be sure to blot your lips with a tissue in between layers.

Step 4
This is an optional step, but I like to add a little bit of gloss to the middle portion of my lips to enhance their fullness. I used Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon, but you can apply it all over the lips for a juicy sheen.

Step 5
Lastly, take a concealer and a concealer brush to clean up the edges of the lips. This step acts as a magic eraser, and will fix any mistakes you might have made. Red lips stand out more than any other lip color, so make the lines as crisp as possible.

To see more of Charleen's beauty videos check out her YouTube channel

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