loading...
Canwest News Service
Bold, daring red lipsticks are ripe this season, as the striking shades call attention to your every little pout, smile, lick and frown. They will also get your special someone's adrenalin pumping day and night.
Makeup artists profess it's time to ditch the neutrals and dive into more intense shades this holiday season. Stylists credit the hot-red trend to the celebrity factor, as A-listers Gwen Stefani, Anne Hathaway, even Kelly Osbourne, bring red lipstick to the red carpet.
Dramatic red lips should be the focus of your face, which means the rest of your look needs to stay subtle. Keep your eyeshadow light and use black eyeliner as close to the lashes as possible. Blush should be a more natural tone so as not to overpower the lipstick.
Rachel Cogan from the Nars counter at Ottawa's The Bay Rideau Centre warns it's important to find the right red for your complexion. If your cheeks tend to blush with a peach colour, Cogan says you should opt for a red with orange undertones; if you have a warm complexion, choose a red with blue undertones (a colour that also helps teeth appear whiter).
A favourite at Nars, Red Lizard ($30) is a deep blue-red created 15 years ago for Madonna, who's been rocking it ever since.
Another sensual blue-red is Shiseido's Perfect Rouge ($29). It works well as a matte colour for those special Christmas parties, says Shiseido makeup artist Iena Ginting. She suggests pairing it with a matching liner (No. 305, $22).
Apply short strokes with the liner to the outside and middle of the lips, then fill in with the stick.
