By Meagan Shea

Ladies, it’s that time again – Valentine’s Day!!!  Do you know what that means?  It’s time for chocolate, dates, flowers, cards & LOVE.  Or, it’s time to be excited, single & carefree (see how I put a positive spin on that – being single isn’t all THAT bad)  Truth is ladies, some of us may not hear from some of the fellas in your life until after February 14th.   Either way, YOU CAN STILL BE FANTASTICALLY GORGEOUS! What is the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day outfit – whether you’re hanging with the girls or going out with your guy?  RED LIPSTICK!  Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to get those bold red hues out and pretty up your pout! 

I’ve noticed, as years have gone by, that more and more women are embracing red lipstick.  This makes me happy!  It is my belief that all women need to own a tube of red lipstick, it should be a staple in your beauty wardrobe.  The important thing is to be sure to find the perfect shade and texture for you. Many women say to me , “I wish I could wear red lipstick, it’s so pretty on you”.  To them (and all other women who doubt they can pull it off) I say, “YOU TOO CAN WEAR RED LIPSTICK AND LOOK AMAZING!”. It’s make up, remember, it will come off if you don’t like it.  Experiment with a few shades and find what works for you.  You may find a few that you fall in love with, unexpectedly.

It basically comes down to trial & error.  You can go to a cosmetic counter and ask for their three best selling red lipsticks.  Try them all on, and don’t dismiss them immediately.  It takes a while to get used to seeing yourself in red lipstick when you aren’t accustomed to wearing it.  If you’re going from a bare nude face, to a VA-VA-VOOM 50’s screen siren look, it’s going to take some time to adjust.  It’s like going from eating fried fish STRAIGHT to raw sushi, you have to gradually make the change.

Another quick way to try some colors out is to go to your nearest drug store.  I am a SERIOUS FAN of drugstore beauty finds! One of my favorite red lipsticks can be found right at your neighborhood WALGREENS, CVS, Rite-Aid and maybe even a grocery store!  My favorite drugstore brand red lipstick is Maybelline New York’s Red Revival.

The Look

The red lipstick look can be worn many different ways, you can find a signature look that works for you or wear a myriad of looks.  My personal favorite is a natural, clean face and a bright red lip!

I’m also a big fan of the soft smokey eye paired with a red lip or dramatic eyeliner (think 1950’s pin up girl when being a woman with curves was CELEBRATED in society) with a red lip.  I also love the cat eye & red lip paired together!

Achieve It

You want to make sure your lipstick doesn’t bleed out, because then you’ll just look… well a little busy – if you know what I mean.  The best way to get sculpted lips without having your lipstick bleed is quite simple:

●     put a concealer or cream foundation on & around your mouth

●     line your lips with either a NUDE lipliner OR a RED (one shade deeper than your lipstick) following the natural contour of the mouth

●     fill in lips with RED lipliner (this will prevent that weird faded red lip look should your lipstick wear off)

●     using a lipstick brush, go over the liner & fill in your lips CAREFULLY without going outside of the natural line of the lips

●     BLOT onto a tissue

●     REAPPLY

 Here’s an extra secret!  If you have a soft, shimmer powder, take a q-tip, fluffy eyeshadow brush or your pinky finger and dust a LIGHT APPLICATION of said powder in the valley (the dip) of your cupid’s bow.  Fair complexions should use a silvery/white shimmer powder, while deeper complexions should go for a neutral to gold shimmer powder.  DO NOT USE A LOT, as you will look strange.  TRUST ME ON THIS ONE, LADIES.

So go ahead, buy some cheap red lipstick & $2 lip liner from Walgreens (JORDANA) or go to MAC, Sephora, Nordstrom, etc. and start trying some variations until you get it right.  

Have fun, lovelies & pucker up!!!