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

8 of 9

Prep Your Perfect Red Red lips look best when your pout is moisturized and flake-free, so before you apply any color, give your lips a good scrub. After exfoliating, smear on a rich moisture treatment or lip mask (such as Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne, $26) to give your lips a serious dose of hydration.

Tip: When applying your red lipstick, the secret to making it last is to layer the color and then keep it hydrated throughout the day. Starting off with a generous supply of lip liner and a red-tinted lip balm can help you to avoid the madness of constant reapplication.

Now, you're ready. Go. Fly from the nest of muted nudes and frosty pinks. It's time to debut your dazzling red lips.

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

products mentioned

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour

0.0

Peter Thomas Roth Matte Lip Balm

0.0

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

0.0

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

8.8

leave a comment

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