A bright, blue-toned red lipstick has been my signature for the last fourteen years. I found my first in a serendipitous encounter at a M.A.C Cosmetics store. I walked in with no specific agenda, a sales assistant pulled out a few colours for me, including one called ‘M.A.C Red’ (nope, not Ruby Woo), I saw what it looked like against my fair skin and was instantly intimidated, wondering if it was too promiscuous a shade for a sixteen-year-old. A woman shopping alongside saw it on me and instantly said, “If I was you, I would buy that. It looks amazing.” I did, and I’ve never looked back.
While teenagers today experiment with beauty and truly own their choices, that wasn’t necessarily the case in 2012. It took a few wears for me to get over the self-judgment and really embrace the fact that beneath the doubt, it made me feel fantastic and like a more confident version of myself. Little did I know that three years later, I would dive into a career in the beauty editorial space, and that my red lipstick would become a defining part of my personality, at and outside of work, eventually leading to the launch of my Instagram community called The Red Lipstick Club.
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Red lipstick has been a symbol of oppression, wealth, power, seduction and even witchcraft over time. Historians believe that the Egyptians were some of the first creators and users of red lipstick, one made from crushing insects, for Cleopatra. During World War II, women were specifically told to avoid wearing red lipstick, and they went on to swipe it as an act of rebellion. In 1912, during the suffragettes movement in America, protestors wore red and Elizabeth Arden handed out free tubes of red lipstick to women marching along Fifth Avenue in New York City. Marilyn Monroe always had her signature red lip on, Grace Kelly loved her Rouge Dior 999 since the mid 1950s, Madonna wore M.A.C’s Russian Red all through her iconic ‘Blond Ambition’ tour in 1990, and Taylor Swift often has a red pout on (Nars’ Dragon Girl is said to be her go-to). Safe to say, red has always been, and continues to be, in vogue.
Finding a red that feels true to you definitely takes some experimenting. We got Bianca Louzado, a Mumbai-based celebrity and bridal makeup artist to share her take on doing it right. “I think the perfect red lipstick announces your identity, attitude and emotions, all in one swipe. The secret to knowing and wearing the right kind of red lies in understanding your skin’s undertone. If you have a cool undertone such as pink, red, or bluish hints, invest in blue-based reds like cherry hues or a classic ruby palette. Warm undertones are skin with golden, yellow, olive, or peach hints, making orange-based reds like tomato or brick tones your perfect pick. If you have a neutral undertone where warm and cool are balanced, most reds will suit you.” If you’re someone who enjoys creating custom shades, she recommends having a tiny collection of assorted reds, to mix and match shades and thereby achieve your perfect red.
Achieve fuller, smoother lips with non-invasive treatments — from high-tech serums to glosses that hydrate, define, and plump, all without the needles
There truly is a red for everyone, no matter your skin tone. All it takes is some trial and error, and a small dose of confidence to wear it outdoors. You’ll feel the difference and wonder why you never wore the power colour in the first place — I know I did, and will continue to swipe it on till kingdom come.
Looking for the next red lipstick to invest in? Pick from our luxe edit.
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