12.16.2014

How To: Holiday Red Lips

It's no secret I love a red lip, especially for the holidays. But red lips used to intimidate me--no more! Today I'm gonna show you how I wear them PLUS my collection of reds--there's something for everyone here!

1--Exfoliate lips to remove any roughness or flaking (try this DIY version or this one) and then add lip balm to moisturize. I do this before I apply my makeup and let it soak in.



2--So I've applied my makeup, my hair is done, and the red lips are the final step. Wipe off the lip balm and choose a lip liner that matches the color of the red lipstick you're going to wear. Outline and fill in lips. This serves as an outline and barrier. I fill them in for extra coverage. I prefer not to use a nude pencil, concealer or eye lid primer, since my lips aren't very pigmented naturally.


3--I apply the lipstick. Since I have small lips, my lipstick keeps its shape, so I use the pointed end to help keep the lines crisp. I'm wearing MAC Ruby Woo--a matte red but it looks so good on everyone.

4--I also use a lip brush to apply and spread out my color--you can see I've got some spots to fill in. The brush allows for more precision. Some swear by lip brush alone, but I prefer both.


5--Time for clean up! Use concealer and a small concealer brush to clean up around the lips for a nice, crisp line. This prevents it from looking messy. I used a nude liner here and then blended it out with a small brush. I find my fingers tend to make the color bleed, so I don't use fingers to blend.


6--To make sure the red lipstick lasts (Ruby Woo really does), take 1 ply of tissue and blot lips. Then take the other ply (or a clean section) of tissue and place over lips. Dust over them with translucent powder to set.

Here I am wearing a few of my favorite red lipsticks--to see my collection, PLEASE KEEP READING...



Revlon, Jordana, Revlon x 2, J.Cat








I didn't include my lip stains, because I've already talked about them here, but I recommend them for those just starting out in red.

So here we go--and I really think I'm missing some! Crazy. Anyway, I'm starting with my red lip crayons. I love these for super easy and fast application. I'm wearing the Jordana Twist & Shine in the top right square in my collage pic. It's SO cheap, too.

Lise Watier, Be a Bombshell, L'Oreal, NYX, Jessie's Girl


Here we have my glosses. This is a mix of high end and drug store. The NYX lip cream in Amsterdam is one of my faves. I tend to stay away from too cherry of reds, so the Be a Bombshell doesn't get as much use.

Essence, Rimmel, Revlon, Rimmel, Milani






Next up we have my Drugstore reds. These are mostly crimson with some true reds thrown in. I'm wearing the Essence one in the collage pic--yellow shirt.


And now for the high end ones, part one. The MACRHPS is a bright brick orangey-red and is one of my FAVES. I'm wearing it in the bottom top left pic with Charlie!

Here are the rest of my high end reds. I'm wearing Ruby Woo in today's tutorial as well as my latest video and bottom left pic in the collage. The Kat Von D is a fave.

And finally, when it comes to wearing red lipstick (or stain or balm or gloss), wear whatever shade(s) you like. I used to be obsessed with this color red for this shade of hair, but really, it comes down to what you think looks good on you. If I had listened to "the rules" I would have never tried the different shades of red, so be adventurous and give these tips a try! If you'd like to know the name of a shade, let me know.

61 comments:

  1. I adore red lipstick... I used to wear it daily in high school and part of college. I still break it out now and then.I'm definitely going to try your concealer trick, as I have noticed a little bleeding lately.

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  2. I've never done the tissue and powder trick - I love a good red lip this season...it's just so festive! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  3. I love the tissue + powder trick to set a lip- the girl at the NARS counter taught me this a few years ago and I use it alllll the time!

    Red is a great color on you, babe!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  4. Love your collection, Elle! I don't wear Ruby Woo much but I love it too:)

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  5. I think I have one of the same Revlon as you (third from the top)! I love it! Great tips to help with the staying power. I am going to try that!

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  6. I never thought to set my lip color. So going to try it out the next time I do my lips

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  7. Love all of those crayons! So pretty! And I agree, using my finger smudges the color too! Definitely going to try the concealer brush next time!

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  8. gorgeous!! i need to start wearing more lip color. xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  9. Exfoliating and moisturizing are key - I hate it when my pretty red lipstick looks all dried up just because I skipped that crucial step!

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  10. I really need to get better about setting my lip colour with powder. I keep forgetting to do it and keep regretting it...

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  11. You look gorgeous! I never thought of using concealer around the lip - I'll have to try that! I love how you broke down your favorites between type and high/low!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  12. I never knew how important exfoliation was until I started wearing a red lip more. Made a HUGE difference. i've never used a concealer around my lips, that's such a great hint, lady!

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  13. Great tips and great colors! The red lip I'll be sporting is the fresh sugar lip balm haha.. Can't pull off the red trend. I'm trying! Haha

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  14. You look fab with a bold lip! Rules are meant to be broken. (;

    www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com

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  15. You can pull off a red lip so well! I'm trying to be more bold and wear it too!

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  16. Great post, so many shades of reds!! I love Ruby Woo but can't find mine :(

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  17. interesting! i keep meaning to do the tissue thing afterwards, and i've never thought of the concealer or nude liner - my fingers definitely make it bleed as well. i have small lips too! lol. i am horrible with lip liners, i look like a clown drawing lips on which is why i love that elf lip lock pencil!

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  18. I will always be a red lips fan everyday of the year! Wishing you the best of the holidays too!!!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  19. All of these red lip colors are so gorgeous!

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  20. First off I need that exfoliants lip balm! Secondly I'm definitly going to try the concealer to help with smudges! I always use my fingers and it gets everywhere!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  21. I do adore MAC Ruby Woo, it's the perfect red for me and I use it a LOT. I agree it lasts a very long time and I will be wearing it for my Christmas dinner!

    Reflection of Sanity | Smashbox Giveaway

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  22. I love your red lips! You pull them off perfectly :) I'm a big fan of Bite's Pomegranate Creme lipstick - so moisturizing and a pretty color!

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  23. The Be a Bombshell is my go to red lip color. I line my entire lip with a nude pencil before I apply.

    Great tips!

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  24. Red lips are like a holiday must! You have an amazing collection of reds!

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  25. you do such am amazing red lip, thanks for sharing your secret! Perfect for the holidays!

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  26. My husband hates lip stick on me... I try to always sneak the smallest color & he sees it a mile away...
    I love bold red lips. I may wear them on Christmas anyways & then kiss his face off with it :) haha

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  27. I've seen the tissue trick but never tried it, I need too! I also saw last week, a Nashville makeup artist I follow said to dab eye primer on your lips first. I'm curious about that as well! I have that be a Bombshell gloss and I really enjoy it.

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  28. Pretty red lips, so festive! Great tips too, thanks for sharing.
    Marta
    www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com

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  29. Lovely! Red lips used to intimidate me, too, but last year, my sister helped me find a shade that looks great on me. I still prefer a look that's not too heavy, but I love having a signature shade of red.

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  30. Great tip on the tissue trick. My lips are pretty pigmented so I have a hard time finding a good red. Love all these options.

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  31. Wow! You have a TON of red lipsticks! I only have a handful. I love the J Cat Crayone. I think the Stila Liquid Lipstick is great too and Rimmel Lip Lacquer in Big Bang. I never thought to use a pencil concealer. That is a great idea!

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  32. That was a perfect tutorial for the upcoming holiday season :)

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  33. I'm vowing to wear lipstick in 2015. It's just one of those things that I like on other people but I always forget myself! I need to start with red--that ruby woo looks like the perfect color!

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  34. Ahhh, step 6. This is where I've been going wrong!

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  35. It would seem we've been skipping that last step every time lol (of course we were) Thanks for the amazing tips Elle, you're the best!!

    xx 365hangers

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  36. These are very helpful tips! I will have to try that last step with the tissue and the powder, because I've never tried that before!

    http://amateandarottweiler.blogspot.com.ar/

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  37. Lovely! *Thinking* about playing with more lipstick/colors ;)

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  38. You look gorgeous in red Elle. I gotta say: I am not wearing red often- but Christmas seems to be the right time to do so! xoxo, Sissi www.beauty4free2u.com

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  39. that jordana one looks really nice. deep reds look best on me, but i love that classic red lip.

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  40. I love a red lip during the holidays! I use the crayons when I'm on the go and saturated red lipsticks when I have time. Love them all!

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  41. Wow, stunning color. *__*
    Lovely greets Nessa

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  42. Ruby Woo is definitely my favorite red, it's so classy! Love your collection!!

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  43. Oh a red lip is sooo exciting, but I don't do a red lip as you know but maybe one day I will! Looks so GOOD on you though!

    Allie of ALLIENYC
    allienyc.com

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  44. Love this post and your red lip! Thanks for the tips. I love a red lip. It's my go to, especially when I'm feeling blah. Charlie looks adorable in his sweater.

    xx Kizzy
    http://KizzyKingston.blogspot.com

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  45. I love how this color looks on you:)

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  46. Lovely pics + great tutorial. I haven't been using a lip pencil to outline, but I'm inspired to do so, now--having read this post. T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  47. Great tips! I always use the trick of powder + a tissue ... makes a HUGE difference!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  48. Very thorough red lip post! I love putting on some red lips, and not just for the holidays ;) It's the best!

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  49. ooh I like the red lips! I want to try I'm just not brave enough!

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  50. I love Kate Mosses's red for Rimmel. Fab blotting tips.

    Heather x
    http://heatherrrrm.blogspot.co.uk/

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  51. Love to see red lips although I rarely rock it! So cute!

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  52. Okay so you have me intrigued by this Ruby Woo lipstick. I'm reading up on it right now and am trying to decide between it and the Russian Red. My lips get chapped pretty easily in the winter and from what I'm reading about the Ruby Woo, it sounds like it can be pretty drying. Have you used the Russian Red before? Do you like it?

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  53. Thanks for this awesome post. You are the tutorial queen! I rarely to never wear red lipstick because it's just not a color I'm super comfortable and confident wearing, but you make it seem natural and, dare I say easy?! You were born to wear red lipstick with your blue eyes, fair skin and dark hair! You look AMAZE.

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  54. You rock that red! Great tutorial...especially for this non-red lipstick wearer :-p

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  55. So glad I found this! I've wanted to try a red lip forever but it terrifies me! Thanks for the tips!

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  56. Whew, I needed a refresher. I'm wearing holiday red lips to a gala this weekend. Thank god I found this post!!!

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