By Jennifer McShane
08th Nov 2015
08th Nov 2015
It’s official: Christmas and its accompanying party season is upon us. When it comes to getting dolled up for your much-deserved Xmas do, the majority of women will use the occasion to bring out that special shade of red lipstick they’ve been saving for such a celebration. A great red lip works on so many levels; it’s a known confidence booster and takes the focus away from things you don’t want prying eyes to see, i.e., the root touch-up you should have got done a week ago.
Whether you opt for matte or glossy, deep or bright, a bolt of red can update your entire look instantly – from Chanel’s classic Pirate or MAC’s high-impact Ruby Woo, once you find a shade you love, you’ll never look back. Seasoned lippy wearer or not, there is a shade for every skin tone, from rich blue-based shades to bright orange-toned hues.
Generally, when you opt for such a dramatic colour it is the norm to pare back the rest of your make-up; a flick of eyeliner and a couple of coats of mascara is a classic and subtle twosome, but it’s party season, so who says you can’t opt for full-blown glamour? If ever there was a time of year to rock a statement smoky eye with a coat of red, the time?is now. Here are nine shades we love:
1. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Pirate, €32
A rich, blue-toned red, Chanel’s classic Pirate is universally flattering, working on both pale and darker skin tones. The chic, sophisticated packaging is also a plus.?
2. Rouge Dior in Trafalgar, €36
This is bright and brilliant. Containing a hint of orange, it’s ideal for a night on the town.
3. Bobbi Brown Art Stick In Harlow Red, €26
This one acts as both a liner and lipstick in one, which means precision application and gorgeous red hues in one swoop.
4. MAC Lipstick In Ruby Woo, €20
Perhaps the most famous red lipstick of them all, MAC’s much-loved Ruby Woo is extra matte, extra red and lasts the whole night long. If you’re finding application tricky, coat your lips with a thin layer of lip balm to ensure it goes on as smoothly as possible.
5. Estee Lauder’s Pure Colour Envy Sculpting Lipstick In Vengeful Red, €29
Don’t be deceived by the lightweight formula of this one. It has an almost gel-like consistency, but delivers full colour in a single stroke. This shade suits almost everyone.
6. Tom Ford In Cherry Lush, €48
This is dramatic, highly-pigmented, long-lasting lip colour. Its pinkish-red tones are divine. Wear this one sans heavy additional make-up?for maximum impact.
7. Rimmel Kate Lipstick In #1, €6.99
Kate Moss’s Rimmel Lipstick range is one of the best budget-friendly options on the market, and this rich red hue is a classic.
8. Topshop Lips In Rio Rio, €10
This shade is a favourite of Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne, and it’s another that’s easy on the purse strings. This is a flattering, but bright pink-red.
9. Nars Semi Matte Lipstick In Heat Wave, €26
This bright, orange-hued red with its semi-matte finish is another keeper. It’s not a severe as Ruby Woo for example, but still has a similar (slightly subtler) finish. This colour particularly pops on darker skin tones.
Have you a favourite shade of red?
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