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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Hollywood Belle To capture those classic, Old Hollywood red lips, take your cue from the modern-day Marilyn, Scarlet Johansson. Start by lining your lips with a pencil that matches your color of choice, then continue using your pencil to fill them in. Next, apply a bold, moisturizing red lipstick with a lip brush for enhanced precision (we recommend CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick, $6.99 in a deep, alluring hue like Seduce Scarlet).

To clean up the edges and make your lips look even more defined, use a concealer brush to dot a light-reflecting concealer onto your Cupid's bow (that's the little dip in the center of your top lip) and blend outward. For even more precision, you can trace the edge of your bottom lip with concealer as well. Put the finishing touch on your glamorous look with a dab of clear gloss. Then let Mr. DeMille know you're ready for your close-up.

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products mentioned

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour

0.0

Peter Thomas Roth Matte Lip Balm

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Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick

7.0

CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick

8.0

Lipstick Queen Bête Noire Lipstick

6.0

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color

8.6

Nars Lip Gloss

7.4

BUY NOW

Memebox 24H Magic Lip Tattoo

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Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

8.8

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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