Red is a bold color, whether in makeup, clothing, or accessories. So who looks good in red lipstick? Which shade of red should you choose? The right answers to all these questions lie in your skin's undertone.
Choosing a red lipstick for your skin tone depends on whether your undertone is warm, cool, or neutral. Let's look at which red shade suits which undertone with the help of a table.
Skin Tone
Flattering Red Lipstick Shade
Cool Undertone
Blue-based reds, strawberry red.
Neutral Undertone
Coral reds, brick red.
Warm Undertone
Wine red, cherry reds.
Why Is Red Lipstick the Most Powerful Makeup Choice of Every Era?
Red lipstick is so much more than a cosmetic product. For years, it has been part of our lives as one of those things that never goes out of style, thanks to its iconic presence and expressive character. Above all, the statement the color red makes is the foundation of this timeless appeal. It's bold, daring, passionate, and eye-catching. A single red lipstick can transform your entire look. Of course, that's when you choose a red that suits your skin tone!
How Can You Tell Your Skin Undertone? (The First Step to Choosing the Right Red)
There are 3 different skin undertones: cool, neutral, and warm. There's an easy way to figure out which one you have. Look at the color of the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins look blue or purple, you have a cool undertone; if they look green, you have a warm undertone; and if you see both of these colors, you have a neutral undertone.
Which Red Lipstick Shades Suit Fair Skin?
The undertone of every skin tone matters for your makeup palette. When it comes to red lipstick for fair skin, you again need to look at your undertone. Which red should cool undertones wear? If you have fair skin with a pinkish tone, blue-based red lipsticks are ideal. If your skin has a peachy tone, go for coral and brick reds that complement peach tones. If you have both pinkish and peachy tones in your skin, you can go with a classic red.
Featured Red Lipsticks
Alix Avien Glossy Lipstick 323 Ruby Red: A lipstick that gives lips intense color, lasts a long time, and keeps lips moisturized.
Alix Avien Matte Lipstick 422 Wild Red: A long-lasting lipstick with a matte finish that gives lips intense color and a velvety effect.
Which Red Lipstick Shades Work Best for Olive Skin?
Olive skin usually has a warm undertone. So does red lipstick suit olive skin? Absolutely! As a balanced skin tone, olive skin carries red beautifully. The only thing to keep in mind is that olive skin with a warm undertone should steer clear of blue-based reds. If you have olive skin with a slight pinkish tint, you can go for vibrant reds.
Which Red Lipstick Shades Look Best on Tan and Deep Skin?
Taking inspiration from tan and deep-skinned flamenco dancers, we can say this: women with tan skin can wear red lipstick in a truly striking way. So which red lipstick shades suit tan skin and make lips look passionate?
If you have tan skin with a warm undertone, brown-based red lipsticks will look amazing on you. If you have a cool undertone, wine red or classic red will add a dramatic touch to your makeup. If you have a neutral undertone, burgundy reds may become your go-to.
A Light, Moisturizing Option
Alix Avien Beyond Care Sheer Lipstick 907: A glossy lipstick that nourishes lips with intense moisture.
Choosing Red Lipstick for Cool, Warm, and Neutral Undertones
Once you have analyzed your skin undertone correctly, here's the right answer to "Which shade of red suits me?"
Undertone
Red Shades That Suit the Undertone
Warm
Brown-based reds, brick red, coral reds, orange-based reds.
Cool
Blue-based reds, cherry red.
Neutral
Classic red, burgundy red.
Everyday Wear or Evening Makeup? Choosing Red Lipstick for the Occasion
Red lipstick can be worn anytime, anywhere. So how do you choose a red lipstick for everyday wear? If you wear it every day at work, go for medium-pigment lipsticks in coral red shades that give a natural, fresh look. For everyday social settings, classic red lipsticks with a satin or cream finish are ideal.
If you're choosing red lipstick for your lips in evening makeup, going for matte, highly pigmented formulas will also give you long-lasting wear. Burgundy and cool reds are especially suited to evening events.
Common Red Lipstick Mistakes and Tips for Applying It Right
Not moisturizing your lips before applying any lipstick, not just red, causes lips to dry out and crack.
Going overboard with eye makeup after applying red lipstick gives your makeup a harsh look.
Applying too much lipstick makes it transfer onto your teeth and smudge around the edges of your lips.
Choosing a lipstick without correctly answering the question "How do I choose a red lipstick undertone?" leads to lip makeup that doesn't suit your skin tone.
Applying lipstick without a lip liner can make your lip makeup look messy rather than controlled.
For Crisp Lines
Alix Avien Lip Liner: A soft, long-lasting, water-resistant lip liner that gives lips a natural, vibrant look.
How to Create Balanced Makeup With Red Lipstick
If a makeup look includes red lipstick, the lips are its focal point. If you're wearing red lipstick, keep your eye makeup minimal so your look stays balanced. A crisp eyeliner and a coat of mascara combined with red lipstick can add a sophisticated touch to your makeup.
On the cheeks, soft pinks and peach tones that lightly highlight your cheekbones are ideal. Smooth skin with an even tone in particular helps red lipstick look sharper and more balanced on your lips.
Why Is Identifying Your Skin Undertone So Critical When Choosing Red Lipstick?
Quick answer: Knowing your skin undertone determines that fine line between your face looking radiant or washed out; the first step to finding the right red in the Alix Avien collection is checking the veins on your wrist.
Let me share the biggest secret from my makeup chair: every red suits every woman, but when you find the right undertone, that lipstick becomes one with you. Stand in front of the mirror and look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins are mostly blue or purple, you have a cool undertone; if they look green, you have a warm undertone. If you see both, you have neutral skin, which means you can wear every Alix Avien red fearlessly. If you have a warm undertone, brick and coral reflections give you energy, while on cool undertones, blue-based reds even make your teeth look whiter.
How Should You Choose a Red Lipstick Shade for Your Skin Tone?
Quick answer: Choosing pigments that harmonize with your skin tone helps you get a professional, balanced glow on your lips instead of an artificial look.
If you have fair skin with a cool undertone, vibrant shades like strawberry red make you glow. For fair skin with a warm undertone, coral red supports that fairytale feel. If you have olive skin, reach for warm reds that look like you just got back from a beach getaway. If you have tan or deep skin, rich shades like burgundy and wine red will look even more elegant on you. Combined with Alix Avien quality, these shades create a bold contrast on your skin.
So how exactly should fair-skinned and tan-skinned women choose the red lipstick shade that suits them best?
Fair skin with a cool undertone should go for blue-based reds and strawberry shades; warm undertones should choose coral and brick red. Vibrant, warm reds suit olive skin, while tan and deep skin can create a striking contrast with brown-based reds, wine red, or burgundy shades.
How Do You Keep Red Lipstick From Fading and Smudging All Day?
Quick answer: Moisturizing your lips before application and outlining them with an Alix Avien lip liner keeps lipstick from settling into lines and boosts its staying power.
Applying red lipstick is actually a bit like engineering. Our biggest fear is ending up with lipstick left only around the edges after a meal. To prevent this, always moisturize your lips before applying, but don't forget to blot away the excess moisture with a tissue right before your lipstick. An Alix Avien lip liner will be your lifesaver here; don't just outline, lightly fill in your lips with the liner too. This keeps the lipstick from settling into lines and bleeding while taking its staying power to the max.
How Should Your Red Lipstick Choice Change for Everyday Social Settings and Evening Events?
Quick answer: During the day, more moisturizing, lightly pigmented reds offer effortless elegance, while matte, highly pigmented deep shades are the way to go for evening events.
If you want to wear red at work or while grabbing coffee, give Alix Avien's moisturizing-finish lipsticks a try for a fresher look. Classic reds with a satin finish are the key to everyday elegance. But if you're heading to an evening event, highly pigmented, long-lasting lipsticks with a matte finish should take center stage. Deep cherry or burgundy shades make your gaze look even deeper in dim lighting.
How Should You Pair Red Lipstick for a Balanced Look on Your Face?
Quick answer: To balance the bold presence of red lipstick, keep your eye makeup minimal and use blush in soft shades.
The moment red touches your lips, the star of your makeup is clear. There's no need for another player to steal the spotlight. Keep your eye makeup very minimal; a crisp Alix Avien eyeliner and a volumizing mascara are all you need. As for blush, natural peach or soft pink shades lightly swept onto your cheekbones create a sophisticated balance, far from overdone.