The word “classic” often precedes red lipstick because it happens to be the best way to describe something objective and timeless, such as a painting, sketch, or a splash of crimson on your lips. Marilyn did. Madonna did it. Sade did it. Available in matte, satin or gloss, a cherry pout looks just as good with a cocktail dress, a white T-shirt and jeans – and it just so happens to be a really easy way to add a ‘festival’ element to any outfit this time every year. Red lipstick has been a cosmetic staple for centuries, so there are a variety of ways to achieve it: Cleopatra is said to have crushed carmine beetles and ants to get just the right amount of scarlet, and Rep. Alexander O. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez swears by the one-swipe simplicity and staying power of Liquid Ruby Lipstick, which is “truly the best way to create the perfect finish.” Makeup artists line, blot, powder and layer, but when time and patience are at a minimum when it comes to getting the perfect color, texture and finish for the holidays, these four easy steps should do the trick, so reapply your lipstick and Not one of the many things on this week’s to-do list.
1. Prepare your canvas
Before choosing a color, please consider the condition of your lips. Are they dry? Crack? Peel off? of course! It’s December, it’s cold, and the hot air circulating inside is almost more harmful to your skin than the cold air outside. Before putting on lipstick, dab a lip scrub—a damp washcloth is the best tool—to get rid of dead skin.
Fresh Sugar Lip Scrub
2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
It’s a common mantra for winter skin care, but it’s especially applicable here, too, because your lipstick will wear better on well-hydrated lips. Choose a non-sticky lip balm and buff it to a matte finish with your fingers, making sure it’s fully absorbed before proceeding with coloring.
LANEIGE Sleeping Lip Mask
3. Underline, underline, be sure to line
Lip liner was once considered a passé makeup bag, but the recently revived staple is an essential step in any lipstick application. The trick to extending pigment, whether you’re drawing the line within or beyond the confines of your natural lip line, is to make sure to trace the entire lip surface with the pencil, creating anchor points for your bullet of choice.
Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres Longwear Lip Pencil
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner Pen
4. COLOR IS EVERYTHING
Undertone is extremely important when choosing a red lipstick, but so is the time of year and climate. Warm orange-red looks great on hot summer days with golden skin. But when the temperature drops, it has to be matte, it has to be a blue-toned red that sets off pale skin — and outlasts even the most endless house party.
Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Gloss
4398745 Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick
