Red Lipstick is sure fire and budget friendly way to add some vintage style to your look for Valentines Day. Making a change to your hair and make up can dress up an old outfit so you don't need to spend a lot for an exciting new look.
If you're used to sheer glosses and neutral lips it can be a bit intimidating to know which shade to pick and how to apply, but once you find one that suits it's a short cut to instant glamour.
I've been reviewing as many red lipsticks as I can recently on the blog to help you pick the best one for you and there's more to come. You can see all my
Today I'm going to give you a few tips on picking a and applying red lipstick.
It is possible to get a good lipstick cheaply, but generally you do get what you pay for. A lipstick should last you a good long time, especially if well applied so buy the best you can afford. It might seem expensive, but you'll get more wear out of it than a new dress from a budget retailer and it'll probably last longer! Around £6-£8 should get you a decent basic lipstick with high end brands costing up to £25.
My favourite lipstick is Besame, it's not cheap, so I save it for special occasions. It also comes in beautiful vintage style packaging that makes you feel like a Princess reapplying it during the evening! It can be bought at the
Store in London or online. They also sell amazing vintage style lingerie, so it's a perfect one stop shop for Valentines Day!
The key to picking the right shade is knowing your skin tone. You can always ask a make up counter assistant for help if you're not sure.
Fair, rosy skin – This type of skin tone often suits reds with a pinkier shade and a blue undertone.
Try Besame Lipstick in Besame Red or Collection 2000 Lasting Colour in Queen of Hearts.
Olive, golden skin – Try a red with an orange tone, but be careful as they can show up discolouration in your teeth. Try Besame Lipstick in Carmine or Prestige Colour Treat Lipstick in Romantic Red
If you're unsure of your skin tone then a true red should suit anyone, but can feel very bright if you're not used to it. Try mixing it with a lip gloss or balm for a more subtle look. Try Besame Red Hot Red or Collection 2000 Lasting Colour in Cherry Bomb
Remember a matte lipstick will last longer, but can be drying on the lips, where as a gloss or shimmer texture won't last as long but will be more moisturising and give a less bold finish. You could also try a special long lasting lipstick. I use Maybelline Super Stay 18 hour wear.
Clever application can make a cheap lipstick last longer and stay smoother. With a pricier lipstick it will also make it last longer, extending the life of your investment purchase!
Preparation – make sure you exfoliate your lips and apply lip balm, but do this well before you need to put your lipstick on or it will slide straight off.
When applying your foundation and powder apply it as close to the lip line as you can get, but don't go over your lips or you'll change the shade of your lipstick when it's applied.
Application – When wearing a red lipstick it's a good idea to use a lip liner as this can help prevent strong colours bleeding and give you an even lip line. Start by lining your cupids bow, then, for a 40s style lip, you can line in a curved line from the top of the cupids bow to the outer corners, or simply follow your natural lip line if you prefer.
I personally don't use a lip brush to apply lipstick, but if you have an unsteady hand you might find it easier. Fill in your lined lips with lipstick, then blot on a tissue (or the back of your hand if you're like me!) and reapply another layer. This should give your lipstick more staying power. Another tip is to try dusting face powder through a single layer of tissue paper over your lips before applying your second layer.
If you notice any imperfections in your lip line when looking in the mirror you can touch them up using a lip brush. For mistakes outside the lip try going round your lip line with a small brush dipped in concealer, this can also help with any bleeding into fine lines around the lips.
If you feel the full on vintage red lip look is too bold for you then try applying a stain of lipstick to your lips using your ring finger. You can build up the intensity gradually until you get used to it, or just for a more understated look.
Simply add a slick of black liner to your top lid and soft waves to your hair for the perfect vintage look for Valentines Day.
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If you've got any other tips for glamorous style for Valentines Day I'd love to hear them!
After you have commented be sure to check out the blog post from Charlotte and Rowena on
28/04/2012 | Posted by Miss Hannah Leech
Red is daring!
24/04/2012 | Posted by Miss Layla Mathieson
Sounds good. Great tips!
18/04/2012 | Posted by Miss Alicja Hajnrych
Love it! Bring on next Valentine's Day!
11/04/2012 | Posted by Miss Lorna Patrick
looks good - wont need it for valentines day though
11/04/2012 | Posted by Miss Hannah Skinner
love it! good idea
27/03/2012 | Posted by ami
i love the vintage looks - great tip!
17/02/2012 | Posted by Mr Josh Devonport
that is fab
02/02/2012 | Posted by Mrs sajida begum
clever but i already know this
31/01/2012 | Posted by Miss Emily Gilbert
Wow, this is fab!
24/01/2012 | Posted by Miss PANTIRU ioana
wow... great tips there... i will try something from there... :)... thank you
16/01/2012 | Posted by Miss Maya Freiman
Such great ideas!
06/01/2012 | Posted by Miss Lucy Jobbins
Great Advice! Thank You Very Much
19/11/2011 | Posted by Miss Jessie-May Roberts
Love having red lips
19/11/2011 | Posted by Miss Jessie-May Roberts
Great tips , thxs
03/11/2011 | Posted by Mr bilal abid
really good ideas!
03/11/2011 | Posted by Miss Nadia Harris
:-)
16/10/2011 | Posted by Miss Elina Udalova
good ideas
20/09/2011 | Posted by Miss Amy Ducker
Oh the class of red lips!!
11/09/2011 | Posted by Miss Abigail Page
I felt so glamorous after i followed this advice, thanks so much x
11/09/2011 | Posted by Miss Abigail Page
I felt so glamorous after i followed this advice, thanks so much x
03/09/2011 | Posted by Miss Charlotte Farmer
red lippy never looks good on me. but this is great!!! xx
30/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Hannah Parry
love red lips! favourite
30/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Hannah Parry
love red lips! favourite
28/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Molly Gay
aw!
27/08/2011 | Posted by Bethan
I never seem to be able to make red lipstick look good on me, will definately give it another go though..
21/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Sanchia Rebello
red lips are so classic!
19/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Sophie May
Great advice!
11/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Scarlet-Holly Broker
red lips are so classic!
08/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Emily Boulton
wish they suited me!
05/08/2011 | Posted by Miss Sara Nikki
Love the colour of the lips
26/07/2011 | Posted by Miss Laura Macdonald
love red lips :)
20/07/2011 | Posted by Miss S Hannah
will have to try this, dont usually wear red
04/07/2011 | Posted by Mr jo jo godfrey
Why only look glamarous on valentines day
26/06/2011 | Posted by Miss Rhianna Shah
i love red lipstick
25/06/2011 | Posted by Mrs Eva Vanhaesebroeck
Red lipstick is so classy! love it!
24/06/2011 | Posted by Miss sian sanghera
i like red lipstick but because i have dark olive skin orange suits me alot better ;)
20/06/2011 | Posted by claree
I LOVE RED LIPSTICK :)
09/06/2011 | Posted by Holly Arabella
Red lipstick isn't just perfect for valentines day! It's lovely on a date or for a vamped up evening look, brights are really in this season!
27/05/2011 | Posted by Miss Katie Drury
i love this!! i will defo be reccommending this to my friends ! lol
09/05/2011 | Posted by Miss Molly Roberts
i dont like my lips to pink but i do like them to be red!!!
07/05/2011 | Posted by Miss Neysha Jasme
Who was your valentines? I knew mines!
06/05/2011 | Posted by Miss Danielle Livingstone
i find red lipstick really tricky to get right
02/05/2011 | Posted by Miss Fazila Patel
I find it difficult to find the right shade for my lips. Sometimes it's too red or too pink.
02/05/2011 | Posted by Miss hazel guest
this is pretty cool, will try this
24/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Emma Downie
I'll have a look into that lippy, I always struggle finding the right shade of red, far too often their too orange for me =/.
24/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Emma Downie
Quick question, what do you think of think of lipstick sealants like LipCote, do they actually work, or are they a waste of money?
22/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Lucy Howard
great
21/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Victoria Howkins
cool tips!
20/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Penn
Great!!
18/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Bethan Ardran
thanks for the tips
13/04/2011 | Posted by Miss natalie lavin
great tips
06/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Kerri Heaney
lovley tips, great lips!
05/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Maria Arribas
great tips
04/04/2011 | Posted by Miss Kelly Dosanjh
Love Vintage
02/04/2011 | Posted by Miss India Nunan
as a massive fan of the vintage look this post was great!
thank-you for catering for us who take inspiration from days gone by (:
02/04/2011 | Posted by Mrs lynda bond
i'm going to have a go at these tips
31/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Kerri Heaney
Love red lips :)
30/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Rebekah Rixon
I can never find the right colour for me!
29/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Lauren Harwood
I love this style!
27/03/2011 | Posted by Ms Jenny Hamilton
no valentines 4 me!
24/03/2011 | Posted by Ms Jenny Hamilton
I love the 80's
23/03/2011 | Posted by Mrs lorraine arndell
Could we have a post on how to determine your complexion? I am having a really hard time working out mine, and therefore can't make the most of the colours I want to wear :) Thanks
22/03/2011 | Posted by Miss jocelyn colaco
cooll...... thnx fo the info
20/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Chelsea Launder
If you have thin lips, use a gloss or shimmery lipstick to plump them up. Full lips use a matt to stop them looking to big!
20/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Abi Bourne
great thanks
19/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Nk
nice tips. thank you
16/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Maria Arribas
great
15/03/2011 | Posted by Miss T
great tips thanx x
13/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Sam Rawlins
nice lipstick tips!
13/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Leigh Anders
Definitely try this, thank you!
12/03/2011 | Posted by Miss TCA
amazing tips :D
12/03/2011 | Posted by Mrs Sylwia Kolodziej-Flisek
great tips, thanx
11/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Melissa Lee
great tips as always!
06/03/2011 | Posted by Ms Jenny Hamilton
Great ideas :)
05/03/2011 | Posted by Miss jocelyn colaco
wow the lipstick luks great!
05/03/2011 | Posted by Miss lauryne thomas
great ideas ill definatley use
04/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Nnedi
Thanks for the great tips, i've only once worn red lipstick. i'm always worried it will be too bold but this lipstiick looks fantastic!
03/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Rosina Raza
I use mac's Russian Red lipstick its not the most cheap lipstick, however it is defiantely worth every penny as it does not fade quickly crease or bleed. The best thing about it however is that it is said to be a intense bluish red lipstick which is great because the undertones really do make your teeth look brighter and whiter.
02/03/2011 | Posted by Miss rosie meredith
I have reasonably pale skin and mousy hair and I never leave the house with out my red lipstick! great tips.
02/03/2011 | Posted by Miss bethany worsfold
Wow
02/03/2011 | Posted by Miss Jessica worsfold
good tips! fantastic! x
02/03/2011 | Posted by Miss bethany worsfold
this is goreous
01/03/2011 | Posted by Mrs jane Griffiths
thanks for the tips
28/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Stephanie Usher
Once again, thanks!
28/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Clare Crook
I love red lipstick, and so these tips are great! Thanks :)
28/02/2011 | Posted by Miss chloe trott
not valentines anymore, but brilliant tips! will definately be trying these out in the morning!
28/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Brogan Rudge
Ooo thanks, taking a look at your blog this second x
28/02/2011 | Posted by Miss madeleine haggar
love! have bought a red lipstick now :)
27/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Megan McGlone
Great Thanks For The Tips
26/02/2011 | Posted by Lucy
simple is the gift that keeps on giving! thanks simple!
26/02/2011 | Posted by Miss keeley cheswick
Thanks a bunch puckertastic!
26/02/2011 | Posted by N :)
great tips :)
26/02/2011 | Posted by Mrs rochelle cooper
great tips thanks
26/02/2011 | Posted by Mrs rochelle cooper
great tips thanks
26/02/2011 | Posted by Mrs rochelle cooper
cool tips
25/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Alysha Smith
i always feel silly in red lippy,im soo used to pink lips..il have to give it another go xx
25/02/2011 | Posted by Lauren
Always thought I was too pale for red lipstick, so it's great to have some recommendations on choosing the right one!
25/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Emma Galloway
Always been a bit too chicken to try red lipstick (more of an eye than a lip girl) but this blog has definitely inspired me to try it - love surprising my boyfriend with a new look, Valentine's Day or not!
24/02/2011 | Posted by Mrs Susan Moss
very good tips here
24/02/2011 | Posted by Miss jamieleigh morgan
really works not just on valentines thanks ;) x
24/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Jessica Hine
Great tips :) Trying them out! xx
22/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Vicky Turner Browne
these are some darn good tips thankyou very muchly xxx
22/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Kat Bodenhamer
cool tips. i will try doing that next valentines day!
22/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Rebecca Clawson
thanks for the tips, really helpful (:
21/02/2011 | Posted by Ms Neetika Kapur
great tips :)
19/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Jayde Sawyer
Nice tips, thanks :)
19/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Chloe White
im never brave enough to go for bright red lips, but would love to be! maybe with these tips ill give it a go!
18/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Jade Hampson
Maybelline Super Stay 18 hour wear it is
18/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Ailish Cormack
I love red lipstick, its my staple beauty product and i wear it almost every day xx
17/02/2011 | Posted by Claire
Love that blog :-) I'm so lazy with red lips though. I hate having to use lip brushes! x
17/02/2011 | Posted by C
Thank you...... :)
16/02/2011 | Posted by Miss joan grant
Great tips
16/02/2011 | Posted by Miss joan grant
I like or ideas
16/02/2011 | Posted by Miss eleanor gow
woooo:)
16/02/2011 | Posted by Mrs sultana khatoon
thnx for the red lipstick tips .............. never thought that red would work for me......... but looks to me now that i was wrong
16/02/2011 | Posted by Miss
cool
16/02/2011 | Posted by Mrs Janet Goodlad
Don't like red lipstick very much cos it makes your teeth look yellow
15/02/2011 | Posted by Angela
Love red lipstick but unfortunately I have to save it for nights out as it's too full on for work/daytime as I have a big mouth! ; )
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Sophie Atkin
just want to say thanks to this blog ive now found my perfect red lipstick today:) xx
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss madelena da costa
I spent my valentines day alone lol - but this advice can translate to any day of the year :)
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Kirsten Cunningham
I only pay £1 for my lipstick from poundland! I might sound like a cheapskate but its actually a really good lipstick, i use it everyday and it lasts around 4months.
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Ashana Kelly
Great tips, thank you. Hope every one had a great valentines day x
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss SH
Love vintage glamour
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Beth Michon
How Glam!
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss emma morrison
LOVE red lipstick! works a treat!!xx
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss heidi simmen
brill tips red is so daring but im going to give it a go! woop! x
15/02/2011 | Posted by Miss E
Thanks for the great tips!
14/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Sophie Atkin
Happy Valentines day everyone :) xxx
14/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Valerie Benson
Thinking of braving it and getting a red lippie. hmm
13/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Sophie Atkin
thanks for this ive always struggled to find a red lipstick that suited me, i never knew what shades suited my skin type but thanks to your tips i am saved :) xx
13/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Naomi Lane
False eyelashes add to that vintage look, and make your eyes look amazing for that adoring Valentine's gaze!
13/02/2011 | Posted by Ms Peyvand Sadeghian
Some good tips there. It is really hard to decide on the best shade for you, especially with all the different reds out there.
I have light olive skin and dark features and find that either plummy or dark reds suit me best.
13/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Rachel Brooker
Red lipstick <3
13/02/2011 | Posted by Natalie
Just started wearing lipstick and am definitely going to venture into red, makes me feel so different it's amazing, it's completely changed the way I dress up too. This was really helpful... was thinking about MAC, got their Morange shade and fell in love, it's the non fattening version of cake, just smear it around your mouth instead!
13/02/2011 | Posted by Miss victoria rawes
I have never been able to find the perfect red lipstick to suit my skintone but now I will definitely be taking these handy tips along with me to my next make up shopping spree :D Thankyou x
12/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Jessica Mottram
I'm no good with lipstick, i've tried applying it before but it just doesnt look right and its all uneven, so i tried lipliner, and accidently drew a line across my face :/
12/02/2011 | Posted by Miss eleanor gow
vintage is totally my look and i agree with the red lipstick it is such a statement feature to have!
11/02/2011 | Posted by Miss Rachel Brooker
I love red lipstick it help to know a tad bit more about it :)
11/02/2011 | Posted by Miss aisling cooper
great tips here, thank you! x
11/02/2011 | Posted by Jenny
Thank you! That's so useful!!!