How I Wear A Red Lip

There's nothing quite like the kind of instant glamour that a red lip adds to an overall look. I like to wear mine with soft eye makeup during the day, when I feel I need a touch of extra added oomph or during the evening with cat-flicked liner for a more dramatic, 50's vibe.

I used to feel rather intimidated by red lipstick, having tried to rock it during my teens and it smudging all over my face. Think 'Joker' and you wouldn't be too far out. It's actually taken me a few years to find the confidence to start wearing bright colours on my face again, I had become quite comfortable with nudes and pale pinks. I began practicing with corals and bright pinks before making the move to red! Once I'd plucked up the courage to go for it I started experimenting with various glosses and lipsticks before settling on pencils.

I cheat and use a red lip liner all over. I've found that I have much more control over applying as opposed to using a brush or lipstick straight from the bullet, and this way I don't have to painstakingly try to hunt down an exact match for the pencil. Liners are usually matte, so I make sure I pop some of my favourite lip salve over the top once I've finished to keep my lips soft and moisturised and it works a treat.

Above I am wearing Barry M Lip Liner in 'Red' (for a deeper red, I use a MAC lip pencil in 'Redd') with a smidgen of Rose & Co's 'Rose Petal Salve' over the top. Products that certainly do not break the bank yet do the job nicely.