They say there is a perfect red lipstick for every woman, no matter their hair or skin tone.
But so often, many of us struggle to find the perfect red to bring out our features, and so shy away from trying one in favour of nude and peach tones.
However, locating the perfect formula, consistency and colour is possible with the help of the experts.
FEMAIL spoke with the beauty editor from the online retailer, lookfantastic, Raisa Lorenzana, to find out your dream product, no matter your hair or skin tone.
FEMAIL spoke with the beauty editor from the online retailer, lookfantastic, Raisa Lorenzana, to find out your dream red lipstick product, no matter your hair or skin tone
Speaking to FEMAIL, Raisa said that blonde-haired, fair-skinned women suit ‘blue-based red best’ (left: Margot Robbie) – dark hair and fair skin can pull off bold tones (right: Emily Ratajkowski)
BLONDE HAIR AND FAIR SKIN
Butter London’s Impulsive shade (pictured) works well for blonde hair and tanned skin
Speaking to FEMAIL, Raisa said that blonde-haired, fair-skinned women suit ‘blue-based red best’.
‘Such products actually make your teeth whiter,’ Raisa said.
‘Darker lip shades against your skin tone will stand out dramatically and give off a pale look,’ she added.
‘Alternatively, if you want to be seen sporting a bright, cheerful lip this summer, then raspberry reds are for you.’
The beauty editor recommends either the Gorgeous Cosmetics Lipstick in Lola for $32, the Kryolan Professional Lipstick in Fortuna for $36 or theYoung Blood Lip Kit for $71.96 for fair-skinned blondes.
Try: Blue-based reds.
BLONDE HAIR AND TANNED SKIN
Antipodes’ product in Ruby Bay Rouge (pictured) also suits blonde hair and tanned skin
Those who have blonde hair and a golden complexion will ‘find that gold, orange and yellow tones will suit you well’.
‘Warm reds and burnt orange-red lip colours shine particularly well through tanned skin for that radiant glow,’ Raisa explained.
She said this skin tone should avoid ‘cool tones, which can read differently on your skin and may even give off the impression of a dull complexion’.
She recommends Butter London’s $22.50 Impulsive shade, Antipodes’ $24.65 product in Ruby Bay Rouge or Mirenesse’s $23.96 option in Rave.
Try: Warm reds and burnt oranges.
Avoid: Cool tones.
Dark-haired, olive-skinned women are lucky in the reds department, suiting both brick reds and burgundy tones according to the expert (pictured: Olivia Culpo)
L’Oreal Paris ‘s Perfect Red (pictured) works for dark hair and fair skin
DARK HAIR AND FAIR SKIN
‘Women with fair skin and dark hair wear bold, sultry reds quite beautifully,’ Raisa said.
‘These strong hues are flattering on a light skin as they reveal a brighter complexion.’
Confessing that she has tried hundreds of bold reds in her time, the expert admitted her favourites are Gerard Cosmetics’ lipstick in Passion Play, Mirenesse’s Mattfinity in Seoul and L’Oreal Paris’s Perfect Red.
Try: Bold, sultry reds.
‘Women with fair skin and dark hair wear bold, sultry reds quite beautifully,’ Raisa said (pictured: Amal Clooney)
DARK HAIR AND OLIVE SKIN
Illamasqua’s Rocket shade (pictured) is a good accompaniment for dark hair and olive skin
Dark-haired, olive-skinned women are lucky in the reds department, suiting both brick reds and burgundy tones according to the expert.
‘Deep, red hues calm down olive undertones, which is why lipsticks in ruby or wine are excellent choices,’ Raisa said.
Glo Minerals’ lipstick in Vixen is a good choice, as is Kryolan’s Aphrodite and Illamasqua’s Rocket shade.
Try: Lipsticks in ruby and wine.
RED HAIR AND PALE SKIN
Like fair-skinned blondes, fair red heads suit ‘blue-based lipsticks with cool undertones’.
‘These cooler tones contrast with your red hair, hence highlighting the beautiful colour of your tresses,’ Raisa said.
This skin tone and hair colour can wear the same products as fair-skinned blondes.
Try: Blue-based lipsticks with cool undertones.
‘High colour pigments complement your skin well and are ideal for that perfect, summer-ready look if you are red haired and have golden skin,’ Raisa said (pictured: Emma Roberts)
RED HAIR AND GOLDEN SKIN
‘Women with red hair and golden skin suit a strong and solid red,’ Raisa said.
‘High colour pigments complement your skin well and are ideal for that perfect, summer-ready look.’
Raisa recommends Antipodes’ product in Forest Berry Red or Victoria Glam’s Red Hot.
Try: High colour pigments with a strong and solid red.
‘Warmer skin tones are characterised by yellow undertones, and lipsticks with highly-pigmented shades of red and orange-red tend to brighten the complexion,’ Raisa said (pictured: Natasha Ndlovu)
DARK HAIR AND DARK SKIN
When it comes to dark hair and dark skin, warmer shades are your best friend.
‘Warmer skin tones are characterised by yellow undertones, and lipsticks with highly-pigmented shades of red and orange-red tend to brighten the complexion,’ Raisa said.
Illasmasqua’s AntiMatter lipsticks are a good place to start, as is ModelCo’s lacquer in fire red.
Charlotte Tilbury also has plenty of covetable products, with a handy guide that allows you to figure out which undertone of skin you have.
‘The golden rule is to never apply lipstick over chapped lips,’ Raisa concluded. ‘Keep your lips from drying out or cracking with regular top-ups of Lanolips.’
Try: Lipsticks with highly-pigmented shades of red and orange-red