My Ladies and I rocking out Red!

Holiday party this…work function that. We are in the home stretch of the “season’s greetings,” my beauty friends!  While the smokey eye is a lot of fun to rock out during the “season,” sometimes it is a subtle eye – with a striking RED LIP – that really “wows” the crowd!

Claire and Shirin are both so stunning!

Mastering a red lip can take time and dedication, but I promise once you get the hang of it, you will not hesitate the next time you want to look gorgeous in a short amount of time.

Here is what I think works best to ensure a clean, precise, and “en pointe” red lip.

Step One:

Make sure your lips are clean, exfoliated, and moisturized from the night before.

Step Two:

Line your lips and FILL IN THE ENTIRE LIP with a RED LIP LINER…My favorite for the moment is NYX, “Ruby” Waterproof Mechanical Lip Pencil.

NYX Retractable Lip Liner in “Ruby.”           $4.50

Step Three:

Outline the liner with Glow Minerals’ Glo Lip Filler Pencil.  This is your barrier protector, and will make sure your lipstick and liner do not feather.  I apply this AFTER the lip liner, as it is best to create the barrier protection after your outline is defined.

Glow Minerals GloLip FIller Pencil                    $18

Step Four:

Apply your red lipstick!  I start my application straight from the tube, and apply on the top lip, then put my lips together, and use a brush to fill in the rest.  It is best to create a stain (blot, apply, blot, apply) but if you don’t have the time or the patience, just make sure you keep your lipstick on you for touch ups!  My favourite red is the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Number 1 “Le Rouge” in Blood Red.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture “Blood Red” Number One
$35

Step Five:

Grab a Flat Concealer Brush and outline outside your lips with your favorite concealer for that crisp “magazine” airbrushed look. Make sure to blend out and away from the lips onto your face, so you don’t get a “white line” look.

Sephora Pro Flat Concealer Brush $20

I used the Make Up Forever Concealer Kit.

Make Up Forever Concealer Kit $38

Voila!  You’re done! Some people actually press a tissue to their lips and powder on top for extra longevity…I do not do this step as by this point I’m ready to head out of the door!  It seems like a lot of steps, however, when you’re working it out, it shouldn’t take more than about 5 minutes.

I love to partner this look with a super clean eye lid, classic liner, lots of lashes, and a hint of sparkle.

Urban Decay Vanilla Eye Shadow $18 (apply all over)

Urban Decay “Fawn” Eye Shadow $18 (contour)

Urban Decay “Midnight Cowboy Rides Again” Shadow $18 (hint of sparkle!)

YSL “Shocking” Felt Tip EyeLiner in Black $34

Ardell Lashes “120” Demi Black $2.50-$5.50 depending on where you purchase them.

SO BE BOLD for these last few weeks, and let me know how it goes for you!  In the meantime, I’ll be leaving little red lip marks on every cup from which I drink!

Happy Holidays, and Happy RED LIPS!

Love and Beauty,

E