GLORY IN RED; Red lips were everywhere on the spring catwalks. Two of Ireland’s top make-up artists show you how to wear them.

Whether its glamour, sex appeal or street cred you are looking for, only one lipstick will do this season: red.

The most daring of lipstick shades often pops up in the winter collections but this year it's making a comeback for spring. But this look is nothing new – red lipstick has been making a bold style statement for centuries

In the Elizabethan era, the in-look was white skin but Elizabeth I liked vibrant colours on the lips, eyes and cheeks. As the queen was dying, she reportedly applied coat after coat of lipstick to her face because she thought it would help her stay alive. Some said she had half an inch of lipstick on her mouth when she died.


During the Victorian period, woman pinched their cheeks and bit their lips in order to look flushed, while early in the 20th century, red lipstick came to represent a symbol of liberation. Red lipsticks were first marketed in the Twenties, just after American women were granted the vote, and were dabbed on to the centre of the lips to create the "bee-stung" effect made famous by movie star Clara Bow.

By the Forties and fifties, the red-lipped look also represented power, and the strongest, feistiest women on the big screen were the ones best known for their full, red lips. 

Marilyn Monroe’s famous pout wouldn't have been the same without it. And Elizabeth Taylor's beautiful smile would have lost much of its sex appeal. Forget diamonds, these girls best friend was, undoubtedly, and a tube of bright red lippy - but by the Sixties, it had fallen from favour; replaced by the pale, frosted lip look.

 

Today fashionistas Scarlett Johansson,Anne Hathaway, Dita Von Teese and young Georgia Jagger have brought the look back and are rarely seen without that carmine slash. So, how do you pick the right red? Here’ two of Ireland’s top makeup artists share their top tips for wearing this season’s most alluring shade.

Rhona Cullinan, Award Winning Celebrity Makeup Artist


"Many women wrongly believe they can't wear red lipstick but the secret to choosing the right red lip colour is in the undertones. Pale skinned women should choose a shade of red with a blue or brown undertone, medium to dark skinned women should wear deeper reds with brown or tawny undertones, while dark skinned tones look great with pinkish and orange based reds.

Also take into account your tooth colouring and shape of your lips. If your teeth are more yellowish colour go more for a shade with blue undertones which will make them appear whiter. If your lips are small avoid a lipstick that is too dark as it will make the lips appear smaller. If your lips are large avoid a very glossy finish which will make them appear larger. If you suffer with high colouring I would avoid red lips which can emphasise the problem."

　


Laura Wilson, Vanity Make Up

"Red lipstick is not for everyone but a red shade is! It doesn’t only depend on your skin tone; hair colour can also be a very big factor. Brunnettes can indulge in the seductive True reds, with what we describes as blue undertones, deep reds and burgandys.Red heads, depending on the shade of red, have the general rule, very similar to brunette, blue undertones to counteract the red tone in hair, avoid orange tones, tomato reds would not be wise.


Fair/ Blondes: Pink/ orange undertones are best. First step is to line inside the lip with a lip pencil, (remember a recession buster idea is to buy a lip pencil that matches your natural lip colour rather than one to match every shade of lipstick.)Lining is very important to prevent the colour bleeding from the lips. And the definite and not always followed rule is: If you are going for a bold red lip, the rest of your make up should remain simple, sleek thin liner, or blank lids with layers of mascara, natural blush."

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