HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT HOLIDAY RED LIP
I’ve been told by many women that they love the idea of a red lip, but they’re afraid to wear it because it feels too risky and too bold. The truth is, red lipstick is powerful and has you ready to take on the world! While it may be nerve wracking to step outside of your comfort zone, now, during the holidays is the perfect time. A red lip is a classic around the holidays, and trust me, nobody will be questioning why you’re wearing a red lip to a holiday party. It’s the color of the season, so why not try it now?
Why to wear red lipstick
If you are nervous to try a red lip, this is the best possible time to try it. A red lip is really all you may need to feel festive this time of year. You can throw on a simple outfit, your everyday makeup, and pair it with a red lip and you instantly look put together and ready for the holiday season. And of course when you look your best, you feel your best!
Why choose non-toxic lipstick
The reason I really love the reds in my kit is because of their non-toxic clean ingredients. I preach the importance of using clean products because some lipsticks (especially long-wear) contain harmful ingredients. You’ll find things like heavy metals including cadmium, aluminium and even lead, research has shown. A study by the University of California at Berkeley found traces of cadmium, cobalt, aluminium, titanium, manganese, chromium, copper and nickel in 24 lip glosses and eight mainstream lipstick brands. Eek!
Especially when it comes to an area such as your lips (since the truth is, we ingest our lipstick), it is important to be cautious and use products with ingredients that are safe.
My favorite holiday reds!
Ok let’s get to the good stuff. These are the lipsticksI picked as my favorite reds!!
My holy grail red lipsticks come from several brands. They are perfect for anyone trying a red lip for the first time.
Use code REBECCAKIRKWOOD10 for 10% off at Kosas, and code REBECCA15 for 15% off at The Detox Market, where you can find a bunch of these lipsticks.
>> WATCH ME APPLY SOME RED LIPSTICK HERE! (Note this video is from 2024, so I have since updated my picks in the list above…)
Not only can you find lipsticks that are safe, but they can actually be GOOD for your lips! The Kosas Weightless Lipstick is made with active botanicals such as mango seed butter and jojoba oil, while also having incredible staying power. And Ilia’s Color Sketch Lipstick seriously lasts for hours and its creamy formula moisturizes so lips feel soft and smooth, never dry and uncomfortable. I do like to add a touch of clear gloss or balm over top to bring it back to life if wearing it all day.
The lipsticks I featured have different shades with different undertones, so there is something for everyone!
Picking the right shade of red
It might seem difficult to find your perfect shade of red, but once you get a hang of it, you’ll find your new staple lipstick. The easiest way to color match yourself is to look at your skin’s undertone.
If you have warm toned skin (yellow undertone/tans easily/prefers gold jewelry), it is best to go for a neutral to warm toned red. If you have cool toned skin (pink undertone/burns easily/prefers silver jewelry), it is best to go for a neutral to cool toned red. And if you have a neutral undertone (not very cool or warm), try any shade! (If you’re still not sure what your undertone is, here’s a great article.)
Feel free to also email me (hello@rebeccakirkwoodbeauty.com) and I can help you in the same way!
Quick Application Tips
1. Line the entire lip AND fill the whole thing in with a red lipliner first for extra staying power. When your lipstick wears away, you’ll have the lip liner layer there as backup.
2. Apply your lipstick to the top lip, then gently press your lips together. This will tap some color into the bottom lip and help push the lipstick into your lips to stain them. You can also tap the lipstick onto your lips and/or use your finger to smudge the lipstick in. The idea here is to create a bottom layer that will stain your lips. Then swipe on a second layer. Your color will stay on longer, and when the top layer wears off, it leaves your lips with a beautiful, more natural looking red shade!
3. To add a little more bold flare, throw on any clear gloss on top for an extra holiday sparkle.
4. If you want a more sheer look. You can either get a sheer lipstick that goes on more like a balm would, or you can make your own sheer lipstick by applying a lip conditioner and gently dabbing the lipstick on to transfer a little color, instead of gliding it on. Then, take your pointer finger and evenly spread it around.
5. Lipstick can be trying at times, so make sure to moisturize your lips beforehand with a lip conditioner (apply it while you’re doing your face makeup, then remove the excess before applying the lipstick)! Use a makeup remover or oil cleanser to remove at the end of the night.
A red lip is hands down my favorite holiday staple and I look forward to wearing one a ton during this season. And as always, if you need help finding your perfect red lip, feel free to reach out to me for support.