#KissGoodbyeToMS: IMAGE staff on their favourite red lipsticks

This May sees the return of #KissGoodbyeToMS, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland’s annual campaign to raise funds and awareness for MS. It’s an issue close to the heart of many of our staff in IMAGE, which is no surprise with more than 9,000 people living with MS in Ireland.

Three times more women than men are diagnosed with MS, with most being diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. MS is the most common debilitating neurological condition affecting young adults in Ireland and it affects the motor, sensory and cognitive functioning of the body.

There is no known cause or cure.

#KissGoodbyeToMS: How you can help

You can donate €4 to MS Ireland by texting KISS to 50300. Your donation will raise funds for MS research and essential services that reduce the impact of MS including physiotherapy, counselling, and newly diagnosed seminars.

Throughout the month of May, supporters are asked to ‘go red’ and to Wear, Dare and Share: to wear red or hold a ‘red day’, dare to get sponsored for an MS Ireland sky dive, and share with friends and family to spread the word. So upload your best red lipstick selfie, donate €4 to MS Ireland by texting KISS to 50300 and nominate your friends to take part.

Today, the IMAGE team will be wearing our favourite red lipsticks to #KissGoodbyeToMS. Think you’re afraid of red lipstick? I pestered all the IMAGE staff to find their go-to favourites.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss, €7.50

I love Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss. It’s only €7.50 in Boots so you really can’t go wrong. It lasts really well and I don’t stress about losing it on a night out. – Dominique McMullan, Digital Editor, IMAGE.ie

The Laura Mercier Velour Extreme lip stylos are feather light, long-wearing and non-drying. You can make red your everyday. – Melanie Morris, Contributing Editor, IMAGE magazine

This was the first red lipstick that made me ask someone what they were wearing on their mouth. It has a smooth liquid texture that’s smudge proof, so you won’t find it down your chin an hour later. The applicator is really smart, making it foolproof to apply and lip liner unnecessary. It’s long-wearing enough to last me from an early morning train application right through a work day, including approximately 37 cups of tea during work. It’s lightweight too, perfecting the tricky combination of being matte and feeling hydrating. Last month, Nars introduced three mini limited edition Power Pack Lip Kit duos, matching their best selling shades with three new colours, so if I’ve convinced you, you can now try two for the price of one. – Holly O’Neill, IMAGE, Beauty Writer, IMAGE magazine

MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger, €20

MAC’s Lady Danger is the go-to red for me as it’s matte and doesn’t move. – Rachel Gallivan, Head of Branded Content, IMAGE 

Chanel Poudre À Levres, Limited Edition Lip Balm And Powder Duo, €36

For me, it’s Chanel Poudre À Levres, Limited Edition Lip Balm And Powder Duo. The lip balm is really nourishing for my (usually) dry lips, and I like how I have control over how much pigment I use. A tiny bit of red powder gives a subtle blush, whereas a heavy coating creates a gorgeous, deep-red pout. The classic Chanel packaging is just an added bonus. – Grace McGettigan, Staff Writer, IMAGE.ie

Chanel Rouge Allure 51, €36

Chanel Rouge Allure 51. Bright enough for summer, dark enough for winter. The job. – Amanda Kavanagh, Editor, IMAGE Interiors & Living magazine

READ MORE: My Life In Beauty: Pandora Sykes, journalist and co-host of The High Low podcast

Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Mary Jo K, €24

I don’t wear lipstick that often, but when I do I love a really matte finish, so was actually surprised to find that I love the Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Mary Jo K, which my dad bought me, of all people! It’s not really a lipstick but it gives a really nice velvety finish and will definitely not wear off before you want it to. – Megan Burns, Staff Writer, IMAGE Interiors & Living magazine

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo, €20

My all-time favourite is MAC’s Ruby Woo. Wonderfully matte – and seemingly impervious to food and drink-related smudges – it instantly gussies up even the tiredest of complexions or the beddest of hair.- Lucy White, Editor, CARA magazine

I never leave home without my MAC Ruby Woo lipstick in my bag. It’s the perfect red shade with a matte finish, also I LOVE the smell of MAC lipsticks! – Laura Kenny, Senior Designer, IMAGE magazine

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Le Orange 13, €33

Lipstick is my desert island beauty item – I would forego all other make-up as long as I had my precious lippie. I love that you can instantly look more dressed up with just a slash of colour on the lips. My favourite is the YSL Rouge Pur Couture in the colour Le Orange 13. A red lip is a classic but orange is a little bit more unexpected and is surprisingly flattering on most mouths. This lipstick is long-lasting while not being too dry. – Sophie White, co-host of IMAGE podcast The Spill

& Other Stories’ Incisé Cayenne Lipstick, €15

I’m obsessed with & Other Stories’ red lippy. It’s SO pigmented and not as drying as Ruby Woo (sorry Lucy and Laura). For €15, I 12/10 recommend. – Niamh O’Donoghue, Digital Leader, IMAGE.ie

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in Rouge Feu, €36

Text KISS to 50300 to donate €4. For more information visit kissgoodbyetoms.ie

Send us a screenshot of your donation text in the Facebook comments and we’ll pick one lucky winner to win 10 red lipsticks, straight from the IMAGE Beauty Closet, with lipsticks from MAC, Giorgio Armani, Laura Mercier, Clinique and more. 

Backstage Photography by Jason Lloyd Evans.