When it comes to timeless beauty inspiration, there is one look that truly withstands the test of time for me. One that, when worn by a woman, no matter if she’s 22 or 85, proves that makeup isn’t about hiding your age, but about celebrating it.
Just take a look at these famous ladies below and see if you can find the common denominator…
Did you guess a bold, look-at-me, RED LIP!! Remember the famous quote by Coco Chanel,
“If you’re sad, add more red lipstick, and attack.”
Coco Chanel
Why do I think this is a look everyone should try at least once? Because when a woman chooses to wear a red lip, she instantly commands attention because it’s a color that symbolizes self-assurance. Red has long been associated with power, passion, and elegance, making it a timeless choice that elevates even the simplest makeup look. Which most of us can get behind!
And, I’m a bit weary of the ho-hum, barely there, nude lip oils and balms being shown on the market currently. Sure, most would consider a nude lip the “safe” option, but sometimes a gal wants to take chances and not blend in!
Choosing to wear this shade shows that the woman wearing it is unapologetic about standing out, which naturally exudes confidence and sophistication.
Today, I’m going to walk you through my simple recipe and exact steps to nailing this most classic makeup look. I’ll provide the steps I take along with my personal product recommendations, and THE red lipstick shade that currently has me awestruck at its beauty!
The Skin + Cheeks
Ingredient List:
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint, shade 6, $36
Anastasia Beverly Hills Magic Cream Cheek + Lip Trio, shade red orange, $38
Morphe Cloudlight soft veil powder, shade “sunrise”, $16
Natasha Denona HyGlam concealer, shade N2, $30
I seem to always go back to this grip gel tint because it has amazing coverage, but gives me a dewy skin finish like no other. And boy does it STAY PUT, which I love – no extra primer needed because it does GRIP the skin. I like using my BK Beauty #101 contoured foundation brush, $34, to stipple this product onto my face for the best results.
I then set my skin tint with this Morphe powder because it acts like the pricey Hourglass powders, but for a fraction of the price, and blurs nicely for a diffused glow.
Lastly, for the cheeks, I’ve been using these new ABH cream cheek trios, and I love them! I used the orange-red/berry/mulberry shade to go right along with the upcoming red lip. You can mix and match the colors within to create your own unique shade, which is so fun. I did tap in a touch of the mulberry to the red-orange in the end. See why a red blush is so flattering in my Instagram reel here.
Be sure to use a specific cream blush brush like this Morphe rounded one, $13, to get that airbrushed finish that isn’t streaky like fingers can leave.
The Eyes
Ingredient List:
Natasha Denona mini eye sculpt palette, $27
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara, $28
Milani Stay Put Mechanical eyeliner, “After Dark,” $9
Brown eyeshadow is a perfect choice for anyone because it brings depth and warmth to the eyes without looking harsh. The key here is placement.
I am a huge fan of Natasha Denona eyeshadows due to their rich, velvety pigments. And now that she’s created quite a few mini palettes, it has made getting shadows of this value more affordable. I was pleasantly surprised to see that these palettes have an included cheat sheet to give you placement ideas for each shade option! By the way, I followed it verbatim for this look!
This specific sculpt palette includes a variety of warm to neutral browns and taupes as well as a great ivory shade for highlighting the brow bone. I highly recommend it. And the inky matte black was great for creating a thin, smudged line along my upper lash line with a tiny wing instead of using traditional eyeliner here.
However, I do like to use the Milani super dark eyeliner to tightline my upper lash line – it makes such a good difference to get rid of that fleshy appearance. Finish with curling the lashes and a few coats of mascara – I went top and bottom lashes.
The Lips
Ingredient List for my Red Lipstick Look:
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Lipstick, shade “That’s Why She’s Late,” $32
E.l.f. Cosmetics lip exfoliator, $5
A bold red lipstick is the epitome of confidence. On us mature ladies, it can instantly lift the face and brighten the complexion. The secret is finding the right red for your skin tone:
- Fair to medium skin: Try a classic blue-based or neutral red for a vibrant pop. (That is what this shade is defined exactly as – cherry red.)
- Olive or deeper skin tones: Opt for warmer, brick or berry-based reds.
I have to admit. I bought this exact lipstick shade because of this photo of Salma Hayek when Patrick Ta (it’s his brand of lipstick!) did her makeup with it. It was that stunning, and the shade has not disappointed!
Prep is everything—exfoliate and hydrate the lips first. The super cheap elf lip exfoliator I listed above is great and comes in a few flavor options. Then use a lip brush to apply and define edges with precision. Prevent feathering with a bit of loose translucent powder and a Q-tip around the edges of your lips instead of lip liner.
Want a beautiful drugstore version for a blue-red red lip? I’d recommend Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte lip ink in shade “Pioneer,” $6. It’s stunning and so long-wear.
Rest of my Red Lipstick look details: A cornflower blue + white striped button-up is a more colorful version of the classic white button-up. A few options from Nordstrom here, $58, and here, $178, and J.Crew here, $40. // My press-on nail obsession continues with this fuchsia shade, “All Smiles” by Impress Nails, $8. These have held strong for over 2 weeks now! // Similar chunky glass hoops like mine from Anthro here, $35, or Nordstrom hoops here, $65.
Why This Red Lipstick Look Works
This combination is classic because it enhances features instead of competing with them. This look proves that makeup doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to highlight your natural confidence.
Do you need some help or product suggestions for a pro-aging nighttime skincare routine? Find out what I’m currently using and what my exact skincare routine in the evenings looks like here.
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