BF Approved #1: Red Lips?
I used to think that reds would only suit those with
hourglass-type of body, the bombshell kind, with dark brown or black hair that
is curled or just naturally let flow with some big waves - what I would call a
perfect woman in terms of appearance. Me, with my chubby cheeks and "this
height", barely visible thigh gaps, and not-ready-for-lingerie-yet kind of
body, is not ideal to wear red AT ALL.
But guess what? It is now, the color red, of which dominates the two-third part of my whole bullets.
Indeed that according to ancient Chinese belief, red is always associated to joy and happiness. All in red is the best, from wedding decorations to clothing picks at Lunar New Year celebration. But when it comes to our pout polish...
the right girl to wear red! |
But guess what? It is now, the color red, of which dominates the two-third part of my whole bullets.
Indeed that according to ancient Chinese belief, red is always associated to joy and happiness. All in red is the best, from wedding decorations to clothing picks at Lunar New Year celebration. But when it comes to our pout polish...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Asian girls mostly can
relate, so raise your voice now! I shall stand for all of you, because I have
been there too.
Red is definitely, most
anticipated lip color for a girl to have. Be it dark brick red or just the
bright, fire engine one. I get attacked, until now, if I wear red in
full-strength. After few months now they start to appreciate how it looks on
me, far better than how they used to be. The question is: HOW?
My BF was once in that
team too! He was that kind of typical boy that used to say, "you're
prettier without makeup, trust me," and another boring pick-up lines. But
today along with my younger brother he can already spot the differences in my red
lips: is it Burberry or Illamasqua? They can tell. I don’t lie, they really can.
The question is, once again, HOW?
And today's the day when I will tell you my secret to find the BF approved, (so is family and friends) approved red lips!
#1 Pick One Based on
Your Skin Tone, Not (Really) Your Undertone
The first tip from me is already controversial. Are you sure
to keep reading on?
This is I believe is the most mistake we all at least, once, made. We usually are drawn to the shade that is the most recommended by everyone, cult favorites, and blogger's picks. Yep you can take notes on those popular shades, but do remember those are BEST ON and FOR THEM, not for or on you. The best way to know which red are going to work on you, is to try each of the possibly different lipstick at counter. Advises are:
1. If you have fair-light skintone, pick the ones that are fairly bright to medium red in the color range.
2. If you're light to medium, try those medium, true red to slightly darker ones.
3. If you have dark skintone, dark to vampy reds will likely to appear more true red on your lips than the brighter one.
Why? The intensity of the color is what matters. Easy logic here, dark reds will definitely appear a lot darker, bordering vampy/goth on fairer skintone. If you're fair or light, say around NC10-15, medium to dark red is your best pick if you want your very own deeper red shade. However if you're dark like around NC42 and up, medium red will likely to appear bright and happy on you. Then the bright reds? They will appear much brighter and even neon maybe, and "not-so-red" on you-might be orange/pink instead! Got it already?
This is I believe is the most mistake we all at least, once, made. We usually are drawn to the shade that is the most recommended by everyone, cult favorites, and blogger's picks. Yep you can take notes on those popular shades, but do remember those are BEST ON and FOR THEM, not for or on you. The best way to know which red are going to work on you, is to try each of the possibly different lipstick at counter. Advises are:
1. If you have fair-light skintone, pick the ones that are fairly bright to medium red in the color range.
2. If you're light to medium, try those medium, true red to slightly darker ones.
3. If you have dark skintone, dark to vampy reds will likely to appear more true red on your lips than the brighter one.
Why? The intensity of the color is what matters. Easy logic here, dark reds will definitely appear a lot darker, bordering vampy/goth on fairer skintone. If you're fair or light, say around NC10-15, medium to dark red is your best pick if you want your very own deeper red shade. However if you're dark like around NC42 and up, medium red will likely to appear bright and happy on you. Then the bright reds? They will appear much brighter and even neon maybe, and "not-so-red" on you-might be orange/pink instead! Got it already?
Now about the undertone. This is the most trusted and popular and used method in picking the best red. Basically, everyone looks good in any red as long as it's red. What's important is to pick any shade that has stronger red tone in comparison to other color element (orange/pink/brown/blue) in it. Thus it shall turn out red on you, despite what undertone your skintone and your lipstick has. What's about the undertone (warmer/cooler) is that it matters to the impression you wanna create!
For example, warmer skin with strong yellow undertone would look great with blue-based red for classy look, but orange or brick red would look good for everyday wear.
☆ Pick the color that's not too neon or eye-searingly bright so it doesn't attack your undertone back, making you look weird.
A boring, a should've-been-a-conclusion-kind of tip, but this is my main idea of wearing red lipstick and of this post. What's the point of wearing even the most famous red shade, if you're not confident or feeling great in it? You won't look like living it, others will notice too! You don't wanna embarrass yourself and that gorgeous lip color do you? Red is never wrong, your pick is. There will be time, darling, to get used with the red you never get along well before. Key is: be confident in it.
#3 Keeping All in Balance
Balance here means not every highlighted feature or point of your look is screaming for attention. Smokey and red lips, why not? If you want a heavier eye makeup, don't pick burning red color, get a tamed one, for example. Basic instruction, but vital indeed!
#4 BROW BEFORE WOW
Brows. Brows. Brows. Beautiful red color is now painted perfectly on your lips along with the eye makeup and blusher. Yay! But what is a beautiful painting—without a great frame, it would be just be another unfinished work. Brows are your face's frame. Do it perfect: be it bold, thin, arched, straight, anything but NOT sparse or undone. This is important, brows are the wow factor of the look and great God-given balancing properties of upper and lower part of your face. If it's not perfect yet, it's your time now to make it be!
brow: CHECKED! |
#5 Match the Red to Your Style
Whoever said red is only for ladies, I do agree wholeheartedly. It's only for the brave. A lady can be cute or seductive, it's all up to her as long as she lives it well! Pick the red according to the style you wanna live by its intensity. For my very own style, I love making red lips cute on me so that I can embrace and enhance my naturally chubby cheeks with it. For sultry and professional look, darker red would be perfect.
going bold and a bit vampy ;) |
#6 Blushing Bride
It's the method of application and the color of blusher that you should change depends on style of the day and the red! Best blushing tricks are varying from one face shape to another (let's talk more about it next time) but go try different tricks to fit it with the lips and look. Skip bolder blush, let’s just get them natural this time, kay? The most favorite blush application method of me is making the cheeks appear like if blushing from the inside. Straight-application method. This method works great to give younger effect to plus I don't contour my face when I use this method. Embracing youthfulness (?)
And that’s all you got to follow in order to achieve looks
like these…
And this,
Aaaaaaaand finally this.
I love how red can be very versatile: a morning stain-on-the-cup,
daytime professional wear, or sexy lady of the night. From Audrey Hepburn to
Rita Ora. It rocks in every wayw but never screams the same vibe for each
person except one: the truth of one’s strong personality inside. You can be an
angel, a mother, a devil, and even a Lady just with a swipe of red lipstick.
Don’t be shy, you will get to nowhere if you’re afraid to try new things (and
reds as well). Red doesn’t have to scream sexy, it can scream playfulness and
send energetic youth vibes also.
I hope this post helps you to take one step ahead out of your
comfort zone! And tell me: What’s your BF-approved red lipstick and what’s your
favorite? Share your looks in red lips with hashtag #BFapprovedRED on Instagram, would love to see your photos! Spread
the love and kiss them red. XOXO~~!
***
P.S: Quick survey! Do you think I should share my red lipstick collections to all of you? I have more than 10 bullets, for sure...let me know if you want me to do a post and swatches for comparison. Yay for red!
4 kisses
Cute, beautifull
ReplyDeleteWaaah oliiin cucok pake merah,yoook dibikin post koleksi red lipen ^_^ mauuuu tauuuu
ReplyDeletethanks @Sylviana! :D
ReplyDeleteYes you shoul share ling :)
ReplyDelete