The Perfect Red Lip for Valentine’s Day
The red lip is a classic look, and the right shade of red can look good on just about anyone. With Valentine’s Day coming up, now is the time to find the perfect lipstick for you to incorporate that iconic red into your look. No matter your skin tone, the perfect red shade can instantly make you look and feel classy, polished and confident. To find the right color for you, consider your skin tone and whether you have cool or warm undertones. These two things can help you pick out your favorite red lipstick.
Red looks good on anyone – it’s all about finding the right shade. (Photo: berryduchess.com)
For light skin tones:
If you have cool undertones, choose raspberry red. This complements the bluish tones in your skin and really pops on pale skin. Try Royal Raspberry from the Sephora collection. If your skin is fair, but with warm undertones, try a reddish-brown shade to match the peachy-browns in your skin tone. NYX matte lipstick in Eden looks great on this skin tone and is available at a low price at most Ulta stores. For those who want to go for a bolder look, choose a bright cherry red. Generally, darker plum and burgundy reds give those with pale skin a harsher look, which may or may not work for you.
Sephora’s Royal Raspberry is a creamy shade that looks great on pale skin. (Photo: Runbarbierun)
For medium skin tones:
For people whose skin tone falls somewhere between the light to medium range, a pinkish red is a great option. Choose a lipstick with warm, pink undertones, like Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Color in the shade Fantasy. Those with greenish olive or yellow undertones in their skin can rock red with orange undertones, like the shade Countess from Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Lipstick Collection. If your skin is caramel-colored, try a red with plum undertones to complement and contrast with your skin. Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Color in Blissful Berry looks great on this skin tone.
Countess from Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Lipstick Collection is a bold orange-red color. (Photo: Kayxcake)
For dark skin tones:
Orange-red lipstick also looks great on medium-dark skin tones. So Chaud by MAC really pops on darker tan skin and complements warm undertones. The darkest skin tones look stunning in the deepest shades of red. For cool undertones, try a deep plum red like NARS lipstick in the shade Afghan Red. Those with warmer undertones can wear deep ruby shades, like MAC’s Studded Kiss Lipstick.
Nars’ Afghan Red lipstick is a deeper pigmented red that stays on for hours. (Photo: Apaleta)
For anyone:
The classic movie star red looks great on just about anyone, regardless of skin tone. For a lipstick that is pretty much guaranteed to work with your look, try a true red like MAC’s Ruby Woo. Ruby Woo is one of MAC’s most popular shades, and for good reason – it’s so versatile!
Ruby Woo by MAC is a glamorous red shade that looks good on anyone. (Photo: hypefemme.com)
Red shades vary from person to person, and what looks good on your best friend may make you look washed out or just not quite have the same effect. Make sure to experiment with different shades of red to find the perfect lipstick for you. Everyone is different, but you can follow these basic guidelines to find a red lip that looks great for any Valentine’s Day occasion.
Allison Lundy is a recent college grad, writer, area professional and lover of all things beauty. Raised in southern Virginia, Allison moved to the DMV to pursue her aspirations of a career in politics. She attended George Mason, where she discovered her love of writing at the student newspaper. During the day, Allison works in government affairs for a small trade association in northern Virginia. When she isn’t busy working and/or being a political junkie, Allison focuses on her other passions – beauty and fashion. She is always looking for the newest trends and trying out new products.
