Makeup

8 Ways to Pull Off Red Lips Once And For All

You don't need a perfect Cupid's bow or a long list of film credits to pull off red lips. Here, how to flaunt beauty's most classic trend

by Amanda Montell

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Matte Magic There's no doubt that bold, matte lip color is classic and impossibly chic -- but we can relate if the word "matte" causes hesitation, since these products tend to draw attention to dry lips.

For this, makeup extraordinaire Bobbi Brown suggests applying eye cream to freshly exfoliated lips (you can use your toothbrush or a lip scrub for this). Starting this way will give you a smooth, hydrated surface to work with.

Lips nicely prepped, use a lip brush to line and fill in your lips with a bright coral-red, slightly creamy, matte-finish lipstick (try Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Pettilante, $36). If needed, sign off with a coat of matte-finish lip balm (such as Peter Thomas Roth Matte Lip Balm, $11) to keep the color from flaking throughout the day.

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products mentioned

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour

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Peter Thomas Roth Matte Lip Balm

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Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick

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CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick

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Lipstick Queen Bête Noire Lipstick

6.0

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color

8.6

Nars Lip Gloss

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Memebox 24H Magic Lip Tattoo

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Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

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Older comments

I love red, but I'm a scaredy-cat about putting bold colors on my face. I usually stick to sheer reds, but I might branch out and try some of the ideas in this article.

by kittymarmalade Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 01:50AM Report as inappropriate

love it

by LittleBunny Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 09:45AM Report as inappropriate

I love red. Too bad Nars discontinued their Diablo Lip lacquer, it was awesome!

by Sari Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 07:54PM Report as inappropriate

Red not for me

by EricaC123 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 06:23AM Report as inappropriate

I tried to wear red lipstick today and it totally made me look washed-out...I'd rather stick with hot pink lipstick instead.

by MizzPink Monday, December 17, 2012 at 02:13PM Report as inappropriate

I like red but i prefer pink or hot pink lipsticks.

by justmilly Monday, December 10, 2012 at 02:51PM Report as inappropriate

Red lipstick is not really for me >

by MissXu Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 06:52PM Report as inappropriate

Making sure your lips are exfoliated is so crucial to red lips or it starts to cake and looks disgusting!! A recommendation- Victoria's Secret has a sugar scrub that is less expensive than the one on this story and is delicious to use and works wonders! It's only $16 but lasts for a long time!!

by Lamexicana1 Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 07:16PM Report as inappropriate

great i love red lips

by Nicole2814 Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 11:14PM Report as inappropriate

I am not a big fan of red lips, except for certain occasions!

by yestfl Monday, October 29, 2012 at 10:39AM Report as inappropriate