5 min read
Valentines day is quickly coming up which is the perfect time to play with some more colours and try something new if you’re a serial nude lip bandit. The perfect look for valentines day is a matte red lip and black winged liner paired with semi matte skin. This combo is a makeup classic, worn by women for decades. I feel like this is a look you could never go wrong with, and despise what may have been said - there is a red lip shade for every skin tone. There are no rules to makeup, but if you want to play it safe, here are some tips:
Finding a good match of red for yourself is the same as finding the best match foundation. You have to know your undertone. Two of the most effective & simple ways of telling are the vein test and the jewelry test.
The Vein test: Have a look at the inside of your wrists. If the veins appear bluish then you have a cooler undertone. If they appear greenish then you have a warmer undertone. If you can’t exactly tell then you are neutral.
The Jewelry test: If you find yourself reaching more for silver jewelry that looks better against your skin tone, you are cool. If you find gold jewelry more flattering on you then you are warm. If you find that they both suit you well you are probably neutral. Neutral skin tones have a wide range of reds to choose from and could suit all tones.
Very Fair - Fair Skin Tones:
For this cooler undertone category, go for blue based reds and coral tones. These blue based lips will compliment the pink tones in your skin the most without washing it out.
Recommended: Dior - 028 Atrice (£30), L'Oréal - Lava (£5.59)
Olive - Medium Skin Tones:
Olive/ gold/ yellow undertones are in the warmer category and best suit orange based or even plum toned reds.
Recommended: Clinique Lip Colour - Berry Pop (£17.50), Mac Lipstick - Chili (£17.50)
Dark Skin Tones:
Darker skin tones are also warm and tend to have red undertones themselves, so to contrast, go for true deep reds that are blue based. Best used with a brown liner like Mac - Chestnut (£15)
Recommended: Mac Lipstick - Ruby Woo (£17.50), Mac Lipstick - Russian Red (£17.50)
Deep Dark Skin Tones:
Deeper skin tones tend to also have red undertones. This skin type has the widest variety to choose from. Pairing deep dark skin and vibrant reds is a perfect pair. Best used with a brown liner like Sleek lip liner - Just Say Nothing (£4.99)
Recommendations: ABH - American Doll (£20), Coloured Raine - Cherry Blossom (£6.95), Tom Ford - Cherry Lush (£40)
Universal Cult Classic Recommendations:
Dior rogue - 999 (£30)
Fenty Stunna Lip Paint - Uncensored (£20)
Pat McGrath Labs - Elson 2 (£35)
-Paula
James 1:5