Having said that, the glaring issue when it comes to red lipstick is that so many of us struggle to find the right one. If I had a pound for every time someone told me they don’t suit red lipstick, I’d be a very rich beauty editor. The truth is, however, there is a red out there for everyone—you just need to know what to look for.
International pro makeup artist at Dior, Jamie Coombes, tells me that shopping for the perfect red comes down to two simple things: undertone and texture. The best way to find your skin’s undertone is to look at the colour of the veins on the back of your wrist. If the veins appear bluey-purple, your undertone is cool. If they appear bluey-green, you have a neutral undertone. Veins that present a more olivey shade of green imply you have a wam undertone. “The best shades for those with cool-toned skin are those with a pink or blue undertone; blue-based cherry and berry shades will suit well. Neutral tones are best suited to oranges, terracottas and bricky reds. Finally, warmer tones need more depth, so try a deep cranberry or plum shade,” advises Coombes.
Once you have identified the best tone of red for you, it’s time to think about your ideal texture. As a general rule, most lipsticks come in either a balm, satin or matte finish. “When choosing the right texture for you, take into consideration your lifestyle, habits and lip condition. I see lipstick like wearing your favourite pair of shoes, we model the ones that make us feel most comfortable,” says Coombes. So, now that you’re armed with all of the information you need to select the perfect red, keep scrolling for the 15 best red lipsticks money can buy, according to team Who What Wear (who have tried them all).
Tagged: makeup