How to Choose the Perfect Red Lipstick
Poppy King knows a thing or two about picking the perfect lipstick. When the entrepreneurial Aussie was 18 and couldn't find the right shade, she decided to start a line of her own. Twenty years later, King's passion for producing everything from vibrant, sheer shades to bold, matte colors for her Lipstick Queen brand is unwavering-so much so that she has even written a book about it, Lessons of a Lipstick Queen, which chronicles her adventures. Since choosing the perfect red can feel next to impossible-and "nothing is as empowering or as glamorous as lipstick," in King's own words-we turned to the queen herself for her golden rules.
How much does skin tone come into play when choosing a red lipstick?
Your skin tone is not so much of a factor in itself as it is in terms of your overall coloring. The most helpful rule of thumb when it comes to choosing a red lipstick is that the fairer your coloring is (hair, skin, eyes) the more orange-based reds will suit you. People with darker features look beautiful in pinker-toned reds. These color contrasts wake up your features. When you select a lipstick shade at random, where this contrast is not present, your lips may look great but you miss out on the full-face effect that has the wow factor.
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Do blondes and brunettes have a different set of rules for sporting a red lip?
Generally speaking they do. Blondes should stick to reds that bring out different shades of blonde in their hair, while brunettes should look for shades that make their eyes stand out. After trying on a few colors, you will notice that various tones really will make your hair or eyes pop. So my advice is to try lots of colors and look in the mirror for the magic to happen.
What makes a good daytime red versus a red that is appropriate for the evening?
During the day, most people wear a minimal eye look, which pairs perfectly with an opaque red lip. As most people wear more eye makeup in the evening, opt for a sheer red to complement it. But if you do want to wear bold red at night, then make sure that your eye shadow is kept more minimal.
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In terms of consistency, is it true that glossier reds work best in summer?
Should we be looking for matte shades as fall approaches? Yes! Glossy, sheer reds look great with a tan. They are reflective and highlight the golden glowy notes in the skin without making it look dry. Come fall, however, you can up the glamour with a matte red. As your tan fades and the light changes, fall is the perfect time to wear a matte red. The depth of a matte red makes your skin look dewy and fresh against the fall backdrop.
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