Back

Apply red lipstick like a pro

For maximum effect with minimum effort

By Alex Noonan

Beauty Crew Digital Content Director / June 30 2016

For maximum effect with minimum effort

By Alex Noonan

Beauty Crew Digital Content Director / June 30 2016

If you want maximum effect and minimum effort, you can’t beat a red lippie

Trends come and go (terracotta lipstick, anyone?) but a pinot pout never goes out of style. No makeup is more synonymous with glamour than a slick of red lipstick and, best of all, this classic look is all about maximum effect and little effort.

Here’s how to experiment with claret coloured lipstick for a look that stands the test of time.

1

Press the colour in

“With a red lip, I start by pressing the lipstick into the lips with the pad of my finger, or you can go straight from the bullet,” says makeup artist Elsa Morgan.

2

Use a matching lip liner

“For a polished look, run a lip liner – in a matching shade – along the lip line, staying within the confines of your natural shape,” Morgan says.

3

Blot to set the colour

Apply another layer of lipstick and then blot with a tissue.

4

Use highlighter to enhance

Add a touch of highlighter on your cupid’s bow to maximise your pout.

5

Finish with powder for a matte finish

End with a dusting of translucent powder for a long-lasting, matte finish.

The kit:

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Colour in Perfect Red

Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Lip Pencil in 5

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight in Super Starlight

Now that you've got the steps down, find the perfect red for your skin tone!

Main image photography: Edward Urrutia
Illustrations by: Ann Do

Alex Noonan

Alex is BEAUTYcrew’s Digital Content Director and has been since the site launched in 2016. She’s constantly on the search for the perfect shade of nude nail polish and lipstick for fair skin and battles with keeping her fragrances on rotation to under a dozen. You can find her words right here on BEAUTYcrew, and in previous issues of marie claire.