On any age, skin tone, or face shape, red lipstick is a universally flattering makeup look. A simple black dress can go from business meeting chic to date night-ready with a quick swipe of rouge. The red lip is an empowering look — making you feel instantly sexier and more confident even if you don’t have any other makeup on. Of course, a sexy red lip can easily turn into a smudgy, feathered mess if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips on how to create a red lip that looks like a professional makeup-artist did it, AND how to make sure it lasts all night.
Step One: Exfoliate
It’s nearly impossible to create a smooth, perfect red lip if your lips are chapped. You generally should try to exfoliate with a lip scrub about once a week to keep your lips looking fresh, but definitely before you break out the lipstick.
Step Two: Line Your Lips
Lip liner is the secret to creating those smooth, clean lines. Prep your lips by applying a tiny bit of concealer with a fluffy brush to fill in the lines, and then create a smooth outline using a liner pencil that’s as close as possible to the lipstick shade you’ll be using. Follow your natural lip line, or exaggerate the shape a bit by creating a silhouette slightly larger than your natural lip shape. Use smaller strokes to create the shape instead of drawing it all on in one lines — this will give you more control.
Step Three: Partially Fill in Your Lips
Before jumping into the lipstick, thicken the lip line toward the center of your mouth, smudging it in with a small brush to make the line look smoother. This will also help the lipstick last longer!
Step Four: Apply Your Lipstick
Choose a long-lasting lipstick that’s designed to be smudge-proof. Opt for a rolling motion instead of dabbing it on — this will ensure smooth and even coverage.
Step Five: Clean It Up With Concealer
If you’ve colored outside the lines, you can go in with a small precision brush and full-coverage concealer to clean up the edges and create a sharper line. Then, blend out the concealer carefully.
Step Six: Set It With Powder
The trick to maintaining a perfect pout all night long is to set it with translucent face powder. Just place a tissue over your lips (trust us), then dust the powder over the tissue with a fluffy powder brush and voila!
Step Seven: Be Prepared for Touch-Ups
Even the most smudge-proof lipstick can fade over time — especially if you’re eating or drinking. Keep your lipstick AND liner in your purse so that you can make periodic touch-ups if necessary.
A Final Word
With these tips you’re well on your way to the perfect red lip, although we’d suggest trying out your technique a few times before a big event to make sure you like the way your lipstick holds over time. That said, a smudgy red lip is the quintessential French girl look. Pair that with a smoky eye and you have a sexy, casual evening look!
