THE STYLISH STUFF: THE MOTHER OF ALL PUCKERS

21st November 2016

I’m pretty low-key when it comes to lipstick. I carry my Burt’s Bees rose-tinted lip balm around and apply frequently without a mirror. However, I would dearly love to, even if it were for one night only, be that woman who rocks a red lip. Glamorous, stylish, sexy and in control. Today’s post pays homage to this iconic look and Beauty Director Jo Glanville Blackburn is on board to guide us to the best cruelty free buys, spoil us with tricks of the trade plus a little red-lipped history lesson. I’ve also selected four looks that look haute worn with nothing more than red lipstick. Right, over to Jo:

The equally iconic Lulu Guinness powdered red lip clutch £245

“Mmm….red lips. Sexually strident and darned bold in the emotional sense, the allure of a red mouth has spanned decades, from medieval times (when red lips defined you as a witch), Queen Elizabeth I, to the black & white Hollywood era, when a red mouth and bleach blonde hair instantly defined the sexual allure of actresses Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow and Jayne Mansfield – regardless of the fact you couldn’t even see the colour! But then, a darling beautiful beige lip couldn’t have done that right? Fact is, our love affair with an iconic red mouth has never dwindled. Synonymous with style it evokes confidence, because it takes that to wear it. Equally, it can be a defence shield, a tiny piece of armour to our most ardent asset – our lips – to display our intentions as a warrior woman, bold to the outside world, when deep down maybe we’re just a little more vulnerable and sensitive.

Red lip icons: Marilyn Monroe and Madonna.

What’s in Your Lipstick? Not wanting to put you off or anything but rumour has it the average woman ingests around 30% of lippie: that’s between four to nine pounds in a lifetime – that’s…wait for it … up to 1,080 tubes. So, if you’re a natural spirit at heart and care about what goes in your body and on those bunnies…here is my pick of the best reds for you.

From left: Bare Minerals Marvellous Moxie Lipstick in Live It Up, £17, creamy yet rich in pigment so it gives full coverage but feels smooth; ILIA Beauty Lipstick Crayon in 99 Red Balloons, £20, vegan and gluten-free (never knew it mattered before now) has an easy wear semi-matte texture that nourishes lips. Top with a little powder for a matte effect; Vapour Siren Lipstick in Ravish, £20, full of organic botanicals, I love this all-natural lipstick in this brick red that suits fairer skins best; Lime Crime Velvetines Liquid to Matte Lipstick in Red Velvet, £15, a great texture, lasts forever on the lips and a pretty universal shade; Lipstick Queen Chinatown in Genre, £22, is an effortless crayon to define your mouth then buff it in and matte it down. Love it. Finally; Jane Iredale Puremoist Lipstick in Cindy, £19.95, that you can wear sheer or layer up to intensify the colour: taste good too.

Lusciously glossy or modern matte…

HOW TO CHOOSE A RED LIPSTICK? Go for the one that works best with your skin tone. Classic red suits most, though you can change the texture from matte to cream to balm or gloss depending on your comfort zone. Otherwise stick to orangey reds if you have warm skin, and bluer-based reds for cool, fair skins. How do you know? Look at the veins in your wrist: if they appear green, you have a warmer skin tone, look blue then you’re cool.

Jo’s Red Lip Tips… these I swear by!

Don’t be so precise.The most modern lip is matte (as seen here) and pressed into your lips so it looks softly subdued even though it’s a bold statement. Making it mould to your lips is way more seductive than a bold glossy mouth too.
Play down your eyes. Just don’t wear heavy makeup on your eyes at the same time; it looks so unstylish. Pair red lipstick with a nude eye defined by mascara alone if that.
Avoid bold dark reds if your teeth are yellow or your lips are thin, as it will show it up even more.
Don’t throw lipsticks away if you think they don’t suit you. Clean out an old makeup palette, cut off the bullets and pop them in so you can experiment with colour by mixing them up to create your own shade.
Try red lip liner by applying all over your lip rather than just the outline. Not only will your colour last better over the top, you won’t be left with a tell-tale red rim around your lips when the colour wears off. That’s why I added in a couple of crayons – I love this way of wearing red lipstick best.”

The Stylish Stuff red lip Pinterest board.

Now for the fashion bit… YES YOU CAN wear red lips with just about anything. I picked four very different looks from The Shop at Bluebird and applied them to the red lipstick formula. From on trend florals and black lace to casual khaki. Black lace blouse £360, Red Valentino; floral A line skirt £380, Red Valentino; black buckle boots £340, Toga Pulla