Many people say, “Oh, I can't wear red,” but in actual fact what they mean is they haven't found the right shade of red. There are tricks to wearing red, the first being take your skin tone into account. If you have skin with a pink undertone, then pick a red with a blue base. If you have skin with a yellow undertone, then a red with an orange base is for you. Well, in theory, anyway, but more of that later.
Also, don't skimp on your preparation. If you're going to wear a colour that is designed to show up, make sure your canvas is primed properly before applying it. Obviously you should exfoliate your lips regularly and keep them in good condition with regular applications of decent lipstick and lip balm/salve. But above all, before you apply your precious lip colour, first give it base on which to adhere by using your usual base/foundation/powder over your lip area and then use a lip liner to both draw a clean outline of the shape you want your lips to have (this is where you get to create a myriad different looks and hide anything you don't like) and fill in the shape with a base colour. The liner and base help your lipstick to set in for the day and should not be underestimated. (A small tip: unless you are intending to create a 1980s vintage look, make sure your lip liner colour isn't dramatically darker than your lipstick colour. Think Jackie Collins and 'Hollywood Wives'. 'Nuff said.)
tthe little problem of bleeding/feathering. This is always worse with reds (and dark colours in general). Part of the problem is the fact that a colour which shows up more, will also show up more imperfections (hence the importance of a good base) and the fact that reds have the smallest particles of pigment mean that they are prone to all manner of tricky little behaviours, such as feathering into crease-lines and fading in bright sunlight. (Just look at any red sports car over a couple of years old and you'll see what I mean! ) Whilst your red lipstick isn't going to fade from sunlight in a matter of hours, it may well attempt to migrate to the area around your lips if you haven't done your preparation properly so don't skip it. And the next time you are tempted to either light up a cigarette (ick!) or look disapproving with your mouth screwed up into the 'cat's bum' position, give yourself a mental slap and don't do it! Pursing your lips for a bit of kissing is fine, but neither doing it in order to drag on a fag nor assume a mean expression are the least bit attractive so stop yourself before you start.
And now for the trick of the trade. I may not sell it, but by heck I swear by its use. Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat. Brilliant as a highlighter/dark circle disguiser/magical mitigator of fine lines, it also has another, in my opinion, far more important role; when used around your lips, not only does it highlight a perfect pout, it also helps stop lip colours from feathering! How cool is that?
Of course, you can always use a lipstick that barely feathers at all, if you can find one that is. Besame Classic Lipsticks from California are my brand of choice. Not only are there plenty of fabulous shades of red from which to choose, with co-ordinating liners, but they stay put beautifully, even without the precaution of Touche Eclat. (I know this because I have run out of Touche Eclat but can still wear my beloved reds with no worries!)
And now, remember the bit about the skintones? Well, here's where it gets complicated. In theory, somebody like me, who has skin paler than a ghost on a winter's night, should stick to a blue-toned shade, like Besame Red. And it's true, Besame Red looks rather good on yours truly. But then so does Red Hot Red (which is a replica of Marilyn Monroe's favourite colour) and that is a seriously bright, true-to-type, orange-based red. Who'd a thunk it?
My advice? Try 'em all till you find your favourites. And as the Besame range are all scented with vanilla, you can dream about cake whilst trying. What's not to like?
The Besame range is available from The March Hare.
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