For some, lipstick is a daily essential, for others, it’s a sea of colours and confusion! Whether you are one or the other (or just dipping your toe into the world of lipsticks) I hope this piece will help you find the perfect shade for you, and hope to give you some red lipstick confidence boosting in preparation for International Women’s Day this month.

When I do a colour analysis with a client, we go through the colour wheel landing on the season that best suits their skin, which helps them to find the perfect colours to make them shine. In this article, I share a few tips on helping you to determine which season may be yours, but of course, would love to invite you to join me for a colour analysis should you want to have the benefit of knowing the best colours, fabrics, and make up for you!

Red Lipsticks For Summer Skin Tones

If you are cool-skin toned and naturally ash-blonde, you will probably be in the Summer category, and you are most likely to suit a more primary red with a blue undertone, such as the beautiful deep red shade from Pat McGrath in Elson with a touch of blue undertones, can work pretty well on all skin tones, but particularly works well on those with a Summer season.  

Red lipstick can work well on most cooler toned skin, from lighter to darker shades, as long as the undertone is correct with a hint of blue. You can try a sheer and pinkish red lipstick with Cover Girl’s Continuous Colour in Really Red, which is a lovely option for a less deep and bold colour.

Red Lipsticks For Autumn Skin Tones

Just like the season, Autumns have soft contrasts, and work best with the autumnal colours of the season - think aubergine purple, reds, and oranges. This means finding your perfect lipstick shade needs to be a warmer tone. Consider deep and warm lipstick hues for your selections. Brick reds, deep rich browns, or bright reds that have a brick-red undertone.

For even more of a statement, you could invest in something a little more unique with a deep rich brown lipstick, I know it isn’t in the “red lipstick” look, but I had to mention it as it is a shade that works so beautifully on the autumn skin tones!

Red Lipsticks For Winter Skin Tones

If you have fair skin with naturally dark hair, and eyes from very light and icy to very deep, or if your overall colours are dark with cool undertones, then you might fall into the Winter category, which means reds that work for you will be ones with deeper and cooler tones work beautifully for you. Consider scarlet red, such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution in Scarlet Spell, which is deep, luscious and perfect for your skin tone! 

You could also work with a beautiful fuscia pink, such as the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine in Fuscia Stiletto which is a very bright pink, and is a great option for you to try if red is perhaps not your colour quite yet. If you're willing to try a vegan and cruelty free option, I suggest the Smoothed Over Lipstick - Peony from Arbonne. I advise steering clear from any reds which are almost brick red, as this will potentially wash you out.

Red Lipsticks For Spring Skin Tones

Warmer skin tones with golden blonde or red hair and eyes with green shades usually tend to be a Spring, which means warm bright reds, as well as coral pinks work perfectly for you. Deeper reds can drain you, so this is one option of red that you will want to step aside from. I love the Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Matte Lipstick in shade 402 is a wonderful colour, with it’s bright hue, it may feel a little daunting, but practice with it and you will see how fantastic it looks on your skin tone, I promise!

Another option, if coral feels a little too bright for you, can be a bright brick red, then try the Becca lipstick in Rouge, this perhaps would be the darkest red hue that you can use without feeling a little too pale with it, so find the perfect one that makes you shine. If you want to keep a more natural look, still adding a touch of colour, and go vegan and cruelty free, my suggestion for you is the Glossed Over Lip Gloss, Mimosa by Arbonne. 

Whatever hue you choose to go for, preparation is key to making your lips feel lipstick ready! I recommend exfoliating and moisturising before you pop the lipstick on, as this will give it the right base for long wear. I also recommend you try a lot of shades on your own skin to find that perfect lipstick that will make you feel fantastic! If you would like some help to find the right make up to make you feel confident every day, then do get in touch, I’d love to help you with a colour analysis.