A Fresh Take On The Red Lip

A look I love to create is bare skin and bold lips - it’s elegant, chic and wearable both day and night. Today, I’m taking you through how I achieved the below look and my tips/tricks for perfecting the ultimate fresh, bold lipped makeup look without feeling ‘too done’. Whether you’re heading to the office, out for meetings or attending a party, this look is long-wearing, comfortable and perfect for all occasions.

Skin

When I’m wearing a red lip, I like to keep my skin on the more bronze than blush side of things so the lip remains the main event. I think it’s super flattering to have a very light and minimal but flawless base and to do this, I’ll take a tinted moisturiser and concealer to build up coverage where desired. For bronzer, I’ll focus on the hollows of my cheeks for a more dramatic look and continue to blend under my jawline and into my temples.

Eyes

When I’m wearing a bold lip, my golden rule is to keep the eyes clean and neutral with a thick layering of mascara to give a wide eyed effect. Using a nude brown or cream powder shade is a great way to add a small amount of colour and to smooth the lid (I tend to use bronzer) and it’ll help add a little definition and connect the eye to the high points of the cheek bone.

Lip

The main event… Before I start any makeup look, I prep my lips with a thick, hydrating balm and will have exfoliated the day before to ensure all dead skin or dryness has been removed so by the time it comes to applying the colour, lips should feel nourished and plump.

For this look, I’m using one of my favourite lines for lip; Bobbi Brown, and this shade is Red Velvet - a deep, rich red that is full with a creamy, buttery pigment. I go straight in with the lipstick, pushing lightly down onto the centre of my top lip, mimicking the natural shape of my cupids bow and I’ll then draw the colour to the left and right (leaving it quite messy at this stage). I’ll then go onto the bottom lip and repeat, taking the colour to the outer corners.

Next, I’ll take a small flat makeup brush and start by painting the lips, taking more colour from the nib and building up as necessary. By now, the lip should be filled but I like to spend some time ensuring theres a precise outer line, shaping and giving the effect of a fuller lip. Over-drawing very slightly, I’ll continue using the brush to paint on the colour and only blot at the end.