How to create Kissable 💋 Red Lips 💄

Valentine’s day is quickly approaching, and with that comes the red lip trend. Women who are typically afraid to rock a bold lip are stepping out of their comfort zones, and we are here for it! Red lips can be tricky and intimidating, but no need to fear…here are some go-to red lip tips & tricks to help.

Tip #1 – Wear a lip liner

Since this color is bold, a liner is key. If your lines aren’t completely straight, your cupids bow not completely symmetrical, or if the color starts to bleed, it will be noticeable! We are always pro lip liner here at Alchemy for creating a perfect pout, but it is especially essential when rocking this bold hue. It is best to go with a lip liner that is the same tone as the lipstick you are wearing. The liner should never be lighter than the lipstick – the deepness should be the same or darker when compared to the lipstick you are pairing it with.

Tip #2 – Give yourself an anchor

This goes hand in hand with tip #1, if your lines aren’t straight with a bold lip, it will be noticeable. When applying your color, rest your elbow on a table in front of you, use a close-up mirror, and take your time. Resting your elbow will allow for your arm to be more steady, and will give you more control over the application. If you are an artist applying a red lip on someone else: anchor your hand by placing the fingertips of your non dominant hand under their chin, and then rest the side of your dominant hand in the palm of your other hand. This will ensure your hands move with the clients head if they aren't perfectly still.

Tip #3 – Use a lip brush

This is one of our favorite tips when applying a bold lip. Using a lip brush allows you to get the most crisp edges and smooth application. A lip brush allows for much better control than the lipstick bullet. In our makeup courses we teach our students how to achieve perfect lipstick application using a lip brush with just 4 steps (2 strokes per step = 8 strokes total) to get a smooth, precise application in a short amount of time.

Picking out the perfect red lip

On Shade:

There are tons of articles out there saying fair skin should wear this red, and olive skin wear that red, but there is a big element of personal preference that goes into wearing red lipstick that those articles don't address. We say its best to get a baseline and go from there. Try out a true primary shade of red to start. You will immediately see if you want it to be warmer or cooler, darker or brighter, bolder or more muted. And we often find that the true red actually turns out to be exactly what our clients were looking for!

Examples of good true blue based reds: MAC Russian Red $19 , Charlotte Tilbury So Marilyn $34

On Finish:

At photoshoots we pick the finish of a red lip based on creating a balance of textures. Sometimes we love the way a bit of gloss on the lip can give a nice contrast to a matte complexion and vice versa. Or if we are doing a glossy eye, the look just might need a glossy lip to create balance.

With clients; the finish will often come down to longevity needed and comfort. A matte red lip will have the most staying power, but a satin red lip might be more comfortable and less drying if you don't mind doing a touch up here and there. A glossy red lip is the easiest to touch up, which is good because you will be needing to touch it up often!

Glossy Red lips we love: CHANEL LE ROUGE DUO ULTRA TENUE Ultrawear Liquid Lip Colour #47 Daring Red $42 , Jones Road Cool Gloss $22

On Price:

Think of makeup much like you do your wardrobe. Your foundation, powder, bronzer, brows etc. are like your wardrobe staples, and your lipsticks, eyeshadows, blush etc. are your accessories that can dress up your staples. If its worth it to you to invest in those accessories because you love them or you know it will make the outfit (ie. your makeup look) then go for a luxury brand lipstick! If its just something you might wear occasionally or you think its fun then why not buy a drugstore brand lipstick. Just because something is more expensive doesn't necessarily make it better.

Examples of great red lips at every price: NYX Perfect Red $6 , NARS Cruella $27 , Dior 999 $37

On Longevity:

The most long-wear red lips are definitely stains and liquid lipsticks. For the most intense color when working with stains and liquid lipstick, apply to clean bare lips. For more definition use the applicator to line lips, then fill in with remaining color and finish with a lip liner after lipstick application to correct the shape and perfect the edges.

Current obsessions: Ulta Weightless Water Lip Stain Cherry Pie $9 , NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment Geranium $28 , Lip Lock "Mask Proof" Liquid Lip First Response $6

To make you lips kissable

Nobody wants dry, flaky lips. Plump, soft, and juicy – that’s what you’re aiming for. Let us help you create your own daily lip care routine for the dreamiest pout ever. You’re welcome!

Exfoliate your Lips

Every lip care routine starts with de-scaling the pout. Exfoliating the lips makes an instant difference to their appearance and it’ll make them look and feel smoother and plumper. Plus, sloughing away those dead skin cells allows the next products to come to actually penetrate the skin – the reason why exfoliation comes first in the routine.

A lip treatment like Sarah Happ Lip Scrub $22 smooths and preps the lips for whatever’s next to come. Formulated with Ground Sugar Crystals & a blend of nourishing oils this hydrating lip scrub gently exfoliates dry, flaky lips to deliver a silky-smooth pout.

Apply a small amount onto clean, dry lips and massage gently in circular motions. Wash off with lukewarm water or wipe them clean.

Next up: the lip mask.

You use face masks all the time … why not lip masks too? Your lips need equally if not more attention anyway and a great way to show them how much you care is through a nourishing lip mask. The Laniege Sleeping Lip Mask $22 is a leave-on lip mask that delivers intense moisture and antioxidants while you sleep with its Moisture Wrap™ technology and Berry Mix Complex™ formula. Apply generously to the lips in the evening and leave on overnight. Gently wipe off excess in the morning as needed.

Daily Care

The best way to keep your lips kissable is to correct any chapping and dryness on the regular. In order to do that you need to make sure you are using a lip balm that can actually penetrate the lips and give them the moisture they need. Stick with a daily lip balm that is made without Petrolatum, Petroleum, or any wax other than beeswax since those ingredients sit on the surface of the lips and will never give the moisture your lips need to heal. Our pick is Kind Lips $4 which is not only a great formula but also donates a percentage of all profits to help end bullying.