The Right Shade of Red

The right shade of lipstick can brighten a face, while the wrong red could overpower a makeup look or make one look harsh. With so many variations in skin tone and undertones in women, the right shade of red can depend on a slew of factors, even the color of clothing. Don't be afraid to experiment to find the shade of red that you love.

In general, these shades tend to work:

• Pale/fair and light olive skin tends to look better in cool reds, berry reds like cranberry, with blue undertones.
• Medium skin tones look great in brownish-reds.
• Olive skin looks best in yellow or orange-based reds.
• Dark skin can handle more intense color, like deep reds and reds with blue undertones. Fabulous wines, berries and brick reds look great.

If you still feel red lipstick is too bright for you, you can ease into red with a sheer lip gloss or try a lip stain to gradually add color.

How to Wear Red Lipstick

• Pair minimal eye makeup with a bold red lip. Keep the eye shadow soft or neutral. Opt for groomed eyebrows, precisely lined eyes and mascara.
• Apply red lipstick with a lip brush for more precision and less of a chance that lip color will seep into fine lines.

Lip Tips

• If your lips are thin, avoid very deep reds.
• Beware of reds with too much of a brown base if you have a yellowish tint to your teeth. Brown can bring out yellow in teeth. If this is the case, you might want to try a red with a blue undertone.