The best red lipsticks for every skin colour
Inclusivity and the red lip: the best red lipsticks for every shade of skin colour.
With so many shades and textures available on the market, we’ve asked Celebrity Makeup Artist Kath Gould to introduce us to some of her favourites.
1. Ruby Woo by M.A.C
Ruby Woo is my all-time favourite lipstick. It’s the perfect blue-toned red and ultra-matte so it’s long-lasting and will help to make your teeth look whiter and brighter. Because of its very matte texture, lips need to be primed with a small of amount of lip conditioner and then blotted off to enable the lipstick to glide on.
Available here, $40 at Mecca
2. Hourglass high intensity lipstick
The new Hourglass High-Intensity Lipstick is so elegant! The chic gold ‘stiletto’ applicator only needs to be bought once as you can buy any colour in the range as a refill. It makes an incredible addition to any handbag and slim enough to fit in the smallest clutch. ‘I Crave’ is the ultimate bright red for party nights.
Available here, $54 at Mecca
03. Ultra shine lip-gloss by Tom Ford
“The woman is invincible, yeah yeah” - channel your inner Robert Palmer girl and go for the 80s inspired high-shine with ultimate luxury using Tom Ford’s “Ultra Shine Lip-Gloss” in “Lost Cherry”. Wear alone or over opaque lipstick for Simply Irresistible lips. The formula is smooth and long-lasting with enough intense shine to mimic a patent stiletto.
Available here, $80 from Smith and Caughey's
04. Powermate lip pigment by Nars
For an intense pop of colour to shake you out of the winter blues go for “Light My Fire” from the NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment collection. This intensely pigmented orange-red ensures you will turn heads without it getting all over yours. The formula glides on and dries down to an opaque, matte, smudge-proof finish.
Available here, $41 at Mecca.
05. Red pencil by Bobbi Brown and cherry lip pencil by M.A.C
For the perfect pout, I love to define the lip with a pencil, enabling sharp lines and crisp edges. Bobbi Brown’s “Red” pencil is soft enough to glide evenly over the lip line and will blend with most classic red shades. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention MAC’s Cherry Lip Pencil - a true classic in both colour and formula - I often use this to both lines and fill in lips as it’s the opaque payoff and creamy texture can’t be beaten.
Red Pencil by Bobbi Brown available here, $54 and Cherry Lip Pencil by MAC available here, $38 at Farmers.
Kath’s insider tip
One of my favourite makeup artists James Molloy always creates the perfect pout - his secret: The My Kit Co. Pencil Sharpener. James has created a number of amazing brushes and tools and this little gem had been a game-changer for me and my work. I honestly have never had such sharp pencils and such perfectly defined lips. It also catches your pencil shavings which is a lifesaver in avoiding ruined carpet.
Available here, NZ $9
Words — Kath Gould
Image source — Imaan Hammam
