Choosing the perfect red color:

Many artists will tell you that women with warm undertones (most desis) look better with orange or brown based reds and that cooler undertones match up better with blue-based lipsticks. This guideline works great for majority of Caucasian women. However, I don’t think this “rule” is completely applicable when it comes to desi skin tones. Some of us are not yellow enough to wear orange-based lipsticks and some of us are too pale to pull off blue-based reds. I personally am warm-toned yet use a red lipstick that MAC labels as “blue-based” that looks absolutely fabulous on me.

You will probably never hear me say this again, but in terms of red lipstick – I say if you are somewhat comfortable with makeup, ignore the “rules” when it comes to picking a color and go with your instinct. However, if you are a red lipstick newbie, then start out by following the basic guidelines and see how those colors feel on you before experimenting. Go to the store and try on a variety of shades, the one that warms your complexion (i.e. you’re not left looking sallow, washed out or ashy) is the one to go with.

Consistency: Lipsticks come in many different textures. I personally love matte red lipsticks because it gives one’s look a touch of old Hollywood glamour (think Rita Hayworth).

• Matte: Not good for extremely dry lips. Best for women in their 20s/30s as they have less wrinkles around the lips.
• Creamy: Good for mature skins and dry skin types.
• Glossy: Great for all skin types and ages but doesn’t last as long. Too much gloss can also look scary in red, so better to stick to matte and creamy formulations.

How to wear:

- If you are going for a red lip look, remember to keep the rest of the face light! You want to look sophisticated, not like you belong in the Moulin Rouge.
- In our mothers’ day it was considered proper to match lipstick shades with your nails. This is no longer the case. Paint your nails a color that complements the red, not matches it. Try one of the black shades from OPI. If you must paint your nails red too, make sure the color matches exactly – avoid wearing two different shades of red.

- Don’t match your red lipstick with your red clothes. This look is dated and overkill – we’re all guilty of it! Again, choose a color that complements the red rather than matches it, like black, white, nude. You don’t want to look overdone. If you feel you must wear a red outfit with your red lipstick, coordinate carefully: 1) Make sure the color matches perfectly 2) Figure out the right clothing item to pair it with – red lipstick with red dress: dated, but doable… red lipstick with red sweater? this look is not just dated – it’s antiquated. Match up the lipstick instead with your purse or your shoes.

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And finally: Achieving the Perfect Bold Red Lip Look.

You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal about applying red lipstick, it takes two seconds” Sure, it takes two seconds if you want it to look sloppy and fade within the hour. The key ingredient to a great red lip is a result that is crisp and polished and doesn’t wear off easily (think Marilyn Monroe versus the aunty at the wedding with a red ring around her lips and the rest of her lipstick on her biryani fork).

This tutorial uses matte lipstick because that’s my favorite, but you can use a creamy lip color to achieve the same effect. Please excuse the yellow tinge in the photos – the lighting in my bathroom is awful!

What you will need:

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Blotting powder, concealer, chapstick, lipstick, lip liner, makeup remover (non-oily), powder brush, concealer brush, q-tips and toilet paper (3 pcs).

Steps:

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1) Make sure your lips are clean and dry.

2) Bold colors like red draw attention to and accentuate your lips, so it’s important to make sure your mouth is well moisturized. If you have time, we recommend exfoliating your lips to remove any flaky winter buildup (click HERE for more info).

3) Apply a nice thick layer of chapstick to your lips and let it soak in for a few minutes. Moisturizing helps the lipstick glide on better and plumps up the lips.

4) Blot your lips against a piece of toilet paper to remove any excess. This will allow your lips to remain soft without being greasy.

5) Apply a thin layer of your concealer or foundation over your lips. This provides 1) a base for your lipstick to stick to so it won’t fade easily 2) Most women have some kind of pigment in their lips, especially desi girls. The concealer helps cover the pigment, providing a blank canvas for the lipstick’s true color to show.

6) Lip liner: Tip 1: If you’re using your pencil to only outline your lips, then it is important you find a liner that matches your lipstick color perfectly, or when the lipstick wears off you will be left with a noticeable ring around your mouth. Tip 2: If you are using the liner to liner your entire mouth (as I am in this post) you can choose a lighter color if the red is too dark for you or a darker liner if the red is too light. In this tutorial I am using a darker red to warm up the lipstick color I am using.

Begin by lining the outer edges of your mouth. (Some artists feel it is easier to start from the center of the mouth in, but I personally feel this is easier for me as it gives me a guideline right off the bat). Then, fill in your entire lip so that your whole mouth is covered with lip liner. This provides yet another base for your lipstick to stick to and accentuates the color.

7) Apply the first coat of your lipstick over the liner. Don’t worry about not being accurate, as we will clean it up in a bit.

Using another piece of toilet paper, blot your lipstick.

9) Take the last piece of toilet paper and pull the two layers apart. This is a trick I learned from makeup artist Eve Pearl and it works fabulously. Place one half against your lips, dip your powder brush into your powder, and lightly dust it against your lips. The paper barrier will prevent your lips from getting too powdery and what comes through will give your lipstick long-lasting power.

10) Now, reach for your lipstick and apply a second coat. Again, don’t care about being perfect – we’ll be cleaning it in the next step.

11) Almost done – it’s clean up time. The key to a red lip is clean edges, which can be achieved in two ways – makeup remover and concealer.

If you use makeup remover:
- Fill a cap with remover that is not oil-based or moisturizing (the oil will make your lipstick smear and slide).
- Dip your concealer brush in the remover and then swipe along the edges of your lip line to clear away any stray red.

If you use concealer:
- Tap your brush into your concealer and wipe away any red along the edges of your lip line. The concealer acts like a great eraser.
- If you choose to use concealer, remember to blend the concealer in using a q-tip so you don’t have an obvious line around your mouth.

12) Et voilà! You’re done. Just remember to pair a bright red lip with minimal makeup – most artists generally only use blush and mascara, but if you’re a fan of eyeliner you can use it on your upper lid to add a little oomph. Anything more than that will leave you looking like a clown.

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Photo Credits:
http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/beauty/facing-your-beauty-fears/
http://trend911.com/category/face/

Friends all around recommended two options: either use a lipbrush to pick up the color and apply to the lips or just buy a new one. Now, I’ll be honest – as much as I love spending hours in front of the mirror doing my makeup, I really don’t have the patience to use a lipbrush. Plus, does anyone really want to have to carry a brush and multiple tissues in their purse just for touchups? At the same time, I really had no interest in spending another $16 on the same lipstick.

For those of you that have suffered multiple (or even single) broken lipsticks because you either live in warm climates or asserted strength you didn’t know you had, there is another option. All it takes is a little heat, a little cold and some determination. Lipsticks are basically created from wax and emollients, which means once they get warm, you can mold them any way you like (if you played with candle wax as a child – here’s your time to shine).

So if, like me, you don’t wish to part with your precious lipstick, here’s a quick way to salvage what’s left:

Step 1) Take out your seemingly innocent looking lipstick and yell at it, but try not to use foul language – it IS Ramadan, after all. Then, lay out some paper towels to prevent any mess from getting on your table.

Step 2) Open the cap and rotate your lipstick out until the entire base has come up completely from the shell. Then, remove the broken half and place it on the paper towel.

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**Remember: Try not to take too long between steps 3-6 or the wax on the lipstick cools down**

Step 3) Light a match (a lighter might be easier to manage) and wave it first over the broken part of the base so it gets soft. Make sure not to apply heat for too long or you’ll melt the lipstick completely – remember it’s wax!

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Step 4) Pick up the stem of the lipstick, I used a paper towel to keep my fingers from getting red as well as to prevent the heat of my hands from further melting the lipstick.

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Step 5) Wave the match (or lighter) under the broken (bottom) part of the stem for a few seconds until you see it becoming slightly waxy. Again, try not to melt too much of the lipstick.

Step 6) Attach the stem back to the base of the lipstick (putting the two sides you just softened with the heat against each other) and push gently together until they stick.

Step 7) Take the other end of your match, or a toothpick if you were using a lighter, and lightly close the space between the two pieces. Light another match and quickly go around the line to seal it.

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Step 8 - Swivel the lipstick back down and put the cap on. Pop it in the fridge for a little while for it to set.

Et voilà! It’s ready to wear!

If you’re a little intimidated, don’t be – it really is much easier than it looks, plus it takes less than five minutes!! Give it a try on some of your old lipsticks and let us know how it goes!

Fall is almost here and the new cosmetics collections are arriving in stores. This season is full of vampy lipstick/gloss colors like purple, red (of course) and even black (yes, now you can enjoy Halloween every day). But, before you reach for these new goth-inspired shades, did you know that the lipstick/lipgloss color you choose to wear can affect how big or small your lips look?

Different shades of lipstick can either make your lips appear plump like Angelina Jolie or small like Jennifer Aniston (sorry for that comparison Jen!).

If you want your lips to look a little smaller: This may sound strange as one would naturally assume dark colors would draw attention to big lips. However, darker colors are the way to go, as they will minimize your pout. Avoid light, bright colors and stick to darker, earthy tones that will draw attention away from your lips.

If you want your lips to look bigger: Try sticking to light to medium shades, such as nudes and lighter versions of pink and coral. Anything darker will give a minimizing effect i.e. make your lips appear smaller than they are. There are ways to still use a darker lipstick and counter this effect with a lip liner and some shine, but we’ll share that with you another time. For now, use stick/gloss that has a little shimmer – the reflective nature will make your lips more luscious.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who have a medium-sized pout, wear whatever you like and remember everyone hates you