Red lipstick advice

Contributor: Catan Catan
I rarely wear make-up, so I don't know much about it. I have recently wanted to try red lipstick. What I have found is even if the lipstick looks pure, pure red in the tube, once its applied (on people in general, not just me), the color changes towards hot pink, so it looks somewhere in between red and hot pink. So how do I get true red, crayon red, fire engine red, or blood red lips?? What color should it be in the tube to appear true red when worn? Or is there some other technique/method/parti cular product(s) needed to achieve true red lips?
Which lipstick will look pure red when worn?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
Looks red-brown in tube
1
Looks red-orange in tube
1
Looks dark red (red+black) in tube
14
Special technique/method/product(s) required. Explain below.
Other. Please explain.
Total votes: 16 (15 voters)
Poll is closed
05/08/2013
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Contributor: GingerAnn GingerAnn
Engaging topic analysis of Lipstick vibrators:

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Mascara Vibe or Lipstick Vibe?
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05/08/2013
Contributor: surreptitious surreptitious
Quote:
Originally posted by Catan
I rarely wear make-up, so I don't know much about it. I have recently wanted to try red lipstick. What I have found is even if the lipstick looks pure, pure red in the tube, once its applied (on people in general, not just me), the color ... more
The reds that I go for are the ones with blue undertones - they really give that deep, pin-up red that I'm crazy about. That being said, if I'm picking a matte color instead of a glossy one, red-orange is the color that looks best on me. I was about to suggest that you go to a store and check out lipstick samples, but I remember that when I was down in the States, you guys don't just have samples out like we do at our drugs stores. Are there any makeup type counters that sample their products, like at Sears or Sephora or something? Even if you can't afford to buy products there, you might be able to get some great advice. Girls working the makeup counter here in Canada are definitely the best place to get free personalized beauty advice - true, not all of them will be able to help you perfectly, but a great deal of them really know their stuff. One thing that you might like to do is look on makeup blogs for swatches - if you find a blogger with a skin tone close to yours, then any makeups they wear will give you a good idea how things will look on you.

Another thing to consider is whether you're looking for a matte or a gloss. I personally find that matte colors look best in a bit of a lighter red, whereas glossy colors need to be a touch darker to appeal to me. There are a lot of reds that just make my fair skin look washed out, and that's definitely not flattering - if something's too deep or I decide not to blot, I'll probably wind up looking like a circus clown. When choosing lipsticks, I think that it's really important to consider your skin tone as well.
05/08/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
The change you see in color may have to do with your skin tone and the effect the makeup has when its seen on with said skin tone. Which is why you can have bright red lips on one person and it looks dull on another even if its the same shade/company. Most department stores have people you can help you find the shade you are looking for.
05/08/2013
Contributor: GirlOnGirl GirlOnGirl
Quote:
Originally posted by bratcat
The change you see in color may have to do with your skin tone and the effect the makeup has when its seen on with said skin tone. Which is why you can have bright red lips on one person and it looks dull on another even if its the same ... more
Going to a department store makeup counter is a great suggestion. Besides just helping you choose a color they will also let you try on the color before you actually buy it so you can be sure that it'll look the way you want it to.
05/08/2013
Contributor: SourAppleMartini SourAppleMartini
Go to department store and get yourself MAC Russian Red.
05/08/2013
Contributor: Jaimes Jaimes
I am the EXACT same way. Any touch of orange in the red, and it goes straight to hot pink. Look for blue red tones. As far as how most brands divide up their colors in drugstores and what not, you'll want to check out the wine-like grouping. It's a good start to find tones that compliment your skin, which I imagine is kind of pale with slight yellow undertones? (that's me!)

Although, red is finally back in full style, so most brands are expanding their true red collections. Just shoot for the darker end of the spectrum. I do little blot tests on the back of my hand to see what how the color will change on my skin. I am also one of those who absorbs lipstick quickly. So I opt for those paint styles, and usually put a creamy lipstick over the top to keep it looking moisturized and vibrant without feathering into my lips, or needing to reapply every 20 minutes.

For a bold, very rich red, I use:
Paint color: Maybelline SuperStay Lipcolor - 745 Wine
Lipstick: Maybelline Color-sensational (which is thick and almost matte) in color 645 - Red Revival.

If you opt to not use the paint type, definitely find a good quality lip liner. Red lips need a really cleanly defined shape to keep from looking haphazard.

I suggest,
1) apply lip liner, fill in lips about halfway with it.
2) apply first coat of lipstick
3) lightly blot some sort of powder (like foundation powder) to set it
4) give it a minute, and reapply lipstick.
That will make it last much longer, and will smudge less. Also, make sure you have a very clean foundation application around your lips to make it look even crisper.

Good luck!
05/08/2013
Contributor: rosythorn rosythorn
Quote:
Originally posted by surreptitious
The reds that I go for are the ones with blue undertones - they really give that deep, pin-up red that I'm crazy about. That being said, if I'm picking a matte color instead of a glossy one, red-orange is the color that looks best on me. I ... more
Yep blue under tones for me too I also think lip gloss stays truer to color, korres had some super nice organic reds
05/08/2013
Contributor: requiem dreams requiem dreams
I agree with what a few have said look for blue undertones in it,
05/08/2013
Contributor: treehugger treehugger
It depends on your natural lip color, of course, but one thing that helps (and helps it stay on longer) is using lip liner before you put on the lipstick.
05/08/2013
Contributor: SincerelyHers SincerelyHers
It all depends on your skin tone.


If you have fair skin, aim for classic red shades and avoid colors with any hint of pink. Dior's Rouge Lipstick in Red Premiere 752 would be a good place to start. If you have a medium skin tone, darker reds are the way to go. It's better to go with a shade that has a similar undertone to your skin.
Darker skin tones require red with an orange tint. Deep reds tend to look verydull on darker skin.
05/09/2013
Contributor: gwenevieve gwenevieve
Quote:
Originally posted by Catan
I rarely wear make-up, so I don't know much about it. I have recently wanted to try red lipstick. What I have found is even if the lipstick looks pure, pure red in the tube, once its applied (on people in general, not just me), the color ... more
Darker reds tend to look more red, but it all depends on your skin tone. Everyone wears reds differently, you just have to kind of figure it out!
05/09/2013
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
I always find the color I choose stays when I put on a lip liner. I barely wear makeup but I always have lip liner with my lipsticks. I use a lot of brown lipsticks as well. I have tried a few reds back in the day and put lip liner for it to stay.
05/09/2013
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by Catan
I rarely wear make-up, so I don't know much about it. I have recently wanted to try red lipstick. What I have found is even if the lipstick looks pure, pure red in the tube, once its applied (on people in general, not just me), the color ... more
I agree with the majority, but I haven't worn lipstick in a long time!
05/09/2013
Contributor: Catan Catan
Thanks everyone!
I'll try the reds I already own over lip liner, and I'll test the samples on the back of my hand at the rare places that have samples.
Not convinced about the dept store makeup counters..., they can't recommend brands they don't carry, and I'm not convinced they know how to do make-up on someone other than themselves. And, thinking about it, they tend to have exaggerated clown-like make-up themselves.... But maaaaybe...., if there's no purchase required, why not...?
I'm surprised about the blue undertones, because blue+red make purple, and purple is close to hot-pink, I would have never considered that. But so many people can't be wrong! I'll have to give it a try. Ok..., looking at Google images, and I think you guys are right: the blue gives it that needed depth. I think I was wrong and what I want is a dark red rather than a true red, cuz even MAC Russian Red looks coral-y to me.
05/12/2013