The pin-up girl look – dark eyeliner, red lips and glowing skin – is a classic sexy, makeup look that never goes out of style. Many women claim that while they love the pin-up girl look, red lipstick just doesn’t work for them. This is actually a common misconception. Red lipstick can work on any woman; the key is finding the right shade and texture for your lips.
Skin Color
Not all red lipsticks are created equal. There are orange-reds, blue-reds, pink-reds, berry-reds and brown-reds. While these shades may not look significantly different in their cases, they do look different on your lips. Pale-skinned women tend to do better with blue-reds and orange-reds. Women with medium-colored skin do well with deeper, brown-reds. Dark-skinned women should opt for pink-reds, orange-reds or berry-colored reds.
Lip Size
The size of your lips makes a difference in the red you should choose as well. If you have very thin lips, choose a bright, neutral red that isn’t too overwhelming. If you have fuller lips, you can generally get away with deeper, more intense reds.
Finish
Lipsticks come in several finishes, some of which are matte, satin, frost and glossy. The finish of the lipstick is an important part of the selection process, because the finish can change the overall color of the lipstick. Lipstick finish is a preference, but there are a few characteristics you should keep in mind.
A matte finish contains no shine, no glitter and no iridescence. Matte finishes give you the most intensity and the best color pay-off. If you want a dramatic red lip, a matte finish is the way to go. Satin finishes contain a slight shine, rather than a flat color. They are opaque, like matte finishes, but tend to be a little more moisturizing. Frost finishes provide excellent color pay-off, but usually contain glitter or iridescent flecks that give you a sparkly or shiny look. Glossy finishes provide a reflective shine that give your lips a wet look. Glossy finishes tend to be the sheerest of the finishes, and because of this, it can be difficult to get an opaque red with them.
Tips
When choosing a red lipstick, try it on before you buy it! Lipsticks look dramatically different on your lips than they do in the tube. While trying it on your hand may give you a better idea of the color, this is still not an accurate depiction as your lips are usually a different color than your hand. Go to a cosmetics store or a department that lets you try before you buy and experiment with different reds. Make sure to wipe your lips clean between each application. If any leftover lipstick remains on your lips, it can change the color of the subsequent lipstick you try.
If you are unsure of the right red color for you, enlist the help of a sales associate or on-staff makeup artist. Don’t be shy; that’s why they are there.
Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
