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Cassie Steer,-Beauty editor at large

The classic red lip gets a Christmas makeover

There’s nothing quite as transformative as a red lip. The temptress of the makeup world, it has the ability to seduce and stun. No wonder that, judging by the procession of reds on the Autumn/Winter 2021 catwalks, designers have fallen hard for its full-bodied charms. From flaming chillies to the deepest clarets, it was spotted everywhere from Erdem to Moschino in all manner of different textures, finishes and hues with the diverse casting also proving that it can suit any skin tone.

Offering a pop of optimism during times of uncertainty, it also happens to be the easiest way to dress your lips for the festive season, whether on House Party or partying IRL. 

‘Red will always have a timeless allure as it instantly makes your lips look bigger and healthier,’ says makeup artist Kim Brown. ‘A red lip adds instant chic and automatically elevates your whole look, making you feel put together and ready to go out. It’s a great option for when you don’t have much time to get ready.’

For this look we opted for a cool-girl stamp of true red in a matte finish, which Brown notes lends a contemporary twist to the classic. ‘There are so many ways of wearing red but a modern matte just looks super chic and is more wearable for the party season as you don’t have to worry about it slipping throughout the evening.’

Brown recommends keeping skin on the more satin side of the texture spectrum for a flawless canvas that looks natural but perfected. ‘The idea is to even out any imperfections with a neutral base that contrasts against the more “done” feel of the statement lip,’ she adds.

Love line
LOVELINE

‘The first step to a perfect red lip is lip liner,’ says Brown. ‘This will prevent bleeding and will give your look more staying power. I often recommend using a lip liner in a shade closer to your natural lip colour, as it feels less intimidating and is easier to correct if you make any mistakes. Start by outlining your ideal shape before using your lip liner to fill in the rest of your lips.’

CODERED

‘For the lipstick itself, I always use a brush as I find it gives greater longevity and you can achieve a more perfect finish with a nice crisp edge,’ explains Brown. ‘If you find that the shape still needs a bit of tweaking, simply go back in with a matching red lip liner. There are some great matte textures on the market these days, which won’t leave your lips feeling dry, but if you’re after that ultra-matte, flocked finish you can either place a single sheet of tissue over your lips and brush some loose powder over the top or go the full hog and press some red eyeshadow or pigment into the centre of your lips.’

Red Alert
Red Alert
CODERED

‘For the lipstick itself, I always use a brush as I find it gives greater longevity and you can achieve a more perfect finish with a nice crisp edge,’ explains Brown. ‘If you find that the shape still needs a bit of tweaking, simply go back in with a matching red lip liner. There are some great matte textures on the market these days, which won’t leave your lips feeling dry, but if you’re after that ultra-matte, flocked finish you can either place a single sheet of tissue over your lips and brush some loose powder over the top or go the full hog and press some red eyeshadow or pigment into the centre of your lips.’

Pull Focus
PULLFOCUS

‘Lips are the focal point of this look so finish by brushing up the brows, adding a touch of mascara (brown tends to be a softer, more flattering option) and a swipe of clear gloss or balm across the lids,’ says Brown. ‘This glistening glaze will catch the light and lends a cool, modern edge while providing a nice contrast to the matte lips. The aim is for the eyes to look groomed without vying for attention.’

Your ultimate red lip kit

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