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Makeup Blog

Pro Tips: How to Wear Red Lipstick

  • 3 min read

BY CHELSEA SIMMONS

red lipstick tips for valentines day makeup
Valentine's Day is around the corner, and two colors are on our mind – pink and red. Pink is our favorite lipstick color when we want to create an effortless, natural makeup look. But, red is the shade we choose when we want to stand out and feel confident. You may think a red lip is only for movie stars and women who drink everything out of straws. But we're here to show you how easy it is to create a red pout that works with your style. Keep reading for simple tips from our Global Makeup Educators on how to wear red lipstick.

Beginner's Guide: How to Wear Red Lipstick

If you rarely wear red lipstick, here are a few pointers from Global Makeup Educators Edgar Dominguez and Hannah Hatcher. With these four steps, you'll have a soft, kiss-friendly pout all night.

Exfoliate First – "Red lipstick looks best on smooth, hydrated, plumped lips," says Edgar. He recommends exfoliating and hydrating your lips with our Sugar & Butter Lip Exfoliator & Plumper before you even pick out your lipstick shade.

Define Your Lips –Use a lip liner that is a similar color to your lipstick (try Crimson Lip Pencil). This will give your lips natural definition. Hannah Suggests lining and filling in your lips with the same shade to help create a kiss-proof finish.

Use a Lip Brush –For the most precise look, Edgar recommends using our Retractable Lip Brush to apply the lipstick. The brush will make it easier to color inside your lip pencil line.

Set It, and Go! –For a matte stay-put pucker, Hannah likes to finish her red lipped look with a little Amazing Matte Loose Finish Powder. You can use your finger to gently dab it on over your lipstick.

Choosing the Right Red Lip for You

Red lip products come in many different shades and formulations. From the classic red lipstick à la Marilyn Monroe to a more natural red lip tint, we have you covered. Here are our favorite red lip products to use for a natural, classic or long-lasting look. how to wear red lipstick, red lip products

Natural Reds

  • "My favorite red shade that is youthful and flattering on all skin tones is Forever Red Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain,' says Edgar. "It has the perfect balance of coral and red, leaving you with a smooth personalized signature red that stays."
  • Want to add a little shimmer to your candy apple lip? Product Trainer Christine Orcutt Savolis suggests topping your favorite lip product with Crabapple or Red Current PureGloss Lip Gloss.

The Classic Red

  • If you are looking for the classic red lipstick, Hannah's pick is Cindy PureMoist Lipstick.

Long-lasting Reds

  • To ensure your lip color lasts through your romantic dinner, Global Makeup Educator Shawn Towne recommends using Lip Fixation. He says, "apply the stain from Passion Lip Fixation to your lips, then top it with Forever Pink Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain. The color it creates is really rich and beautiful."
  • Christine's secret to a matte red is Hot PlayOn Lip Crayon. She also likes to layer it with Forever Red Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain for added staying power. "I always say when you want a red lip, you want it to last, " she says. "Forever Red really stays and is easy to touch up later in the day."

#RedHotLips

Glossy, matte and everything in between, we want to see how you rock a red lip. Post pictures of your #RedHotLips on Instagram. Use the hashtag and tag us @janeiredale, and we may feature you on our page.
Chelsea Simmons

Chelsea Simmons

Chelsea began her beauty journey in 2010 as a fashion and beauty freelancer at Ladies’ Home Journal magazine. There she had the chance to test and review hundreds of products while quickly falling for the benefits the clean makeup she tried. After leaving the magazine industry, she worked as a publicist for international fragrance and beauty brands until 2016 when she landed at jane iredale. Here, she has discovered liquid eyeliner doesn’t have to burn her eyes, foundation doesn’t have to feel heavy, and that the jane iredale Global Educators truly have the best beauty hacks. Since then, she’s shared her 10+ years of experience with you on The Good Glow Blog.