Be honest: is red lipstick your holiday signature—or is the tube sitting untouched in your makeup drawer because you’re convinced you can’t pull it off??
A classic red lip can dress up any casual sweater or blouse, make your everyday makeup feel festive, and give those statement earrings a little competition! You don’t need a whole new face of makeup. Sometimes, changing your lipstick is enough.
Borrow a Little Red-Carpet Inspiration
If Helen Mirren, Jane Fonda, and Anne Hathaway have taught us anything on the red carpet, it’s that a red lip offers beautiful inspiration for wearing a bold red lip no matter our ages.
Let Your Red Lip Do the Work
The beauty of a bold red lip? You can keep everything else wonderfully simple. No elaborate eyeshadow, dramatic wing, or full-coverage foundation required!
Today I’m going to show you how I’d create a fresh, polished holiday look with just enough definition. The eye makeup look I pair with this holiday lip should make all my hooded eyelid ladies happy – because it’s just that EASY.
We will start with the base of your makeup look, then keep reading to find my picks for the perfect red lip that you can choose for yourself!
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Here’s What to Pair with Your Red Lip
Start with a skin tint over a full coverage foundation
Blend a light layer where you need coverage, letting your natural skin show through. The goal is an even complexion without covering every freckle or even age spot. Luminosity matters more.
But make sure to also add a bit of full coverage concealer under the eyes to balance the dewiness and to lift a hollow eye bed. Read all of my concealer tips for mature faces here.
What I’m wearing: it Cosmetics CC illumination skin tint ($39) in “medium,” and Nars Soft Matte complete concealer ($36) in “creme brulee”
Add warm blush.
I’ll pair my red lip with a warm blush shade that mimics bronzer for a little dimension on those cheeks – we can’t go completely blush free, now can we?? Blend high on the cheeks and outward, I even sweep a little onto the top of my nose, so my nose doesn’t look so bare.
What I’m wearing: Armani Beauty Dolci cream to powder blush ($39) in shade 2 caramel. I’m just as obsessed with these new easy to use blushes as everyone else!!
Swipe on one neutral eyeshadow stick.
A soft beige or taupe adds a whisper of definition. Before you begin, wipe your under eye concealer all over your lid to even out the skin tone of the lid and to help the shadow lock in. Then add the taupe shade right along the highest part of your crease, and blend the edges quickly with a blush before it sets.
And you’re done – no shimmer needed! If you like the idea of shadow sticks but want to elevate the eyes and actually enjoy a little sparkle, check out last week’s post on how to do Stardust Eyes here.
What I’m wearing: Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr stick ($34) in “greystone”
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Define the upper lash roots with black liner.
Tightline the upper waterline to make your lashes look fuller without a visible stripe of eyeliner taking over the lid. If tightlining bothers your eyes, press liner between the upper lash roots instead. But don’t skip this step, it takes zero skill, less than 30 seconds, but adds a little oomph! to skimpy lash lines!
What I’m wearing: Urban Decay 24/7 waterproof eyeliner ($23) in “Perversion”
Brighten the lower waterline with nude liner.
Choose a white or nude eyeliner to help give the illusion of whiter and brighter eyes. Keep the lower lash line bare with no shadow.
What I’m wearing: Revolution Beauty streamline waterline eyeliner ($7) in “nude”
Finish with mascara on the top lashes only.
Curl first (always), then coat the upper lashes for lift and flutter. Skipping bottom mascara keeps this particular look beautifully minimal.
What I’m wearing: Remember the lash curler made JUST for hooded and deep-set eyes here by Jenny Patinkin lash curler ($20) and Gucci mascara L’Obscur ($35)
Now for the fun part…Adding your favorite red lip!
Three Reds for Three Comfort Levels
I’ll be using the same red lip liner for all 3 looks – elf Cosmetics cream glide lip liner ($2) in “Red Receipt.” By the way, these $2 lip liners are actually incredible and creamy, so if you’ve never tried a lip liner, try these at this price!
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The Easy Introduction:
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb ($26) in “Hot Cherry
If opaque red feels intimidating, Fenty Gloss Bomb Heat in “Hot Cherry” is your girl. Think sheer cherry color with a juicy shine that lets your natural lip peek through. It’s an effortless way to flirt with red!
This is a warming, plumping formula, so expect some heat. You of course can wear it alone and sheer, but I did elevate it with a red liner to get a bit more punch of red though. Be sure to super blur the edges of the liner first.
The Icon:
MAC MACximal Silky matte lipstick ($25)
Want that unmistakable, classic holiday red? MAC Ruby Woo is a vivid red with a beautifully bold, matte finish. It’s the lipstick equivalent of putting on your best earrings: instant polish. For a softer introduction, tap it onto your lips rather than applying full strength.
This newer silky matte formula is definitely not the drying matte lip you’re thinking of. It’s got just enough silky hydration to feel very comfy on the lips!
The Staying-Power Pick:
Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink ($14) in “Wicked”
For the woman who wants her lipstick to work as hard as she does, try Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink in “Wicked”. This true blue-undertoned statement red delivers rich color, with a hint of shine, and extremely impressive staying power. If you’re wanting a warmer undertone, try their shade “Red Hot.”
Apply a thin layer or two to clean, dry lips, then let it set before pressing them together.
Luxe Red Picks.
Now if you’re really wanting something special when it comes to your red lip, the holidays have us covered with some luxury options.
You all know by now how much I adore the Victoria Beckham beauty line, and she’s got this Rouge Lip set ($200), that comes with its own case, matching liner and lipstick, and a lip brush. The color looks incredible! And then encased in a black art deco-inspired box with silvertone and goldtone crown cap is the Christian Louboutin Rouge velvet matte lipstick ($105) in shade “Red Dramadouce,” that will make you feel as fancy as wearing his red bottom heels!
My prep tip for all red lips.
Moisturize + exfoliate beforehand with something like this Palladio lip scrub ($9), blot away excess balm, and outline your natural lip border with a coordinating pencil.
End with a good spray down of the L’Oreal Infallible Makeup Setting Mist ($19), to make sure that minimal makeup look doesn’t fade whatsoever! This is my favorite setting spray of all time right now, it locks everything in, just be sure to spray the face for a solid 4-5 seconds.
Now tell me: are you team classic red lipstick, sheer cherry gloss, or “I want to try it, but…”? Tell me what holds you back—your answers might inspire my next tutorial!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can women over 50 wear bright red lipstick?
Absolutely—there’s no age limit on a gorgeous red lip! Choose a finish you enjoy wearing, whether that’s a bold matte lipstick or a sheer cherry gloss.
What eye makeup goes best with red lipstick?
For this minimal holiday look, try one neutral eyeshadow stick, black liner tucked along the upper lash roots, and mascara on the top lashes only. A nude pencil in the lower waterline adds subtle brightness while keeping the lower lashes bare.
How do you stop red lipstick from bleeding into fine lines?
Moisturize your lips beforehand, then blot away excess balm before outlining with a coordinating lip pencil. Apply lipstick in thin layers, keeping the edges precise; liner can help reduce feathering. Also using a qtip with some loose powder on it, rubbing around the perimeter of the lips can also help.
Can you wear red lipstick if you have thin lips?
Yes! Trace your natural lip border carefully, adding the slightest fullness at the cupid’s bow and in the center of the lower lip, rather than overdrawing the entire mouth. If opaque lipstick feels too dramatic, a sheer red gloss is an easy introduction and shine gives the appearance of fullness.
What blush should you wear with red lipstick?
For this look, I love a soft caramel or peachy blush to bring warmth to the cheeks. Start with a light application and blend well so the overall effect feels fresh and the red lip remains the focal point.
SHOP THESE LINKS:
it Cosmetics CC illumination skin tint
Nars Soft Matte complete concealer
Armani Beauty Dolci cream to powder blush
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glidr shadow stick
Urban Decay 24/7 waterproof eyeliner
Revolution Beauty streamline waterline eyeliner
elf Cosmetics cream glide lip liner
MAC MACximal Silky matte lipstick
Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink
L’Oreal Infallible Makeup Setting Mist
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