If you’re a fellow pale girlie, you know the struggle of finding red lipsticks that don’t make you look like you’re on your lunch break from the local circus. But the right one, done right, can be truly magical! So let me share my absolute favourites (and be sure to share yours in the comment section below, so we can all help each other out!).
Muted Red
The absolute most challenging red to find when you’re pale, is the ever elusive “red lips, but not in-your-face-red”. A muted red lipstick is so difficult to find, because it is not red at all. Because colour is perceived relative to what is around and next to it, very pale skin will make even muted pinks look red, in comparison. And still, I love the look of a red lip that still doesn’t seem too loud or dominating. Something that is more appropriate for work. It’s one of my favourite kinds of lipstick!
So just know that if you head to the lipstick section and look at the reds, literally all of them will be a statement lipstick. However, if you look at the muted berries or even those that look a bit dusty-mauvey, that’s where you will find magic. But it does take a whole lot of trying, to find the right ones. Because some of those indeed just look pink. Or brown. So let me share the diamonds I have found!
Nars Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita
Now, this is not your traditional lip pencil (as in, to line your lips before lipstick), this is rather a lipstick pencil. I recommend getting the accompanying pencil sharpener! And if you’re looking at the pictures online, this does indeed look like a reddish brown. I bought this thinking it would be – as so many online said it was – a beautiful dusty rose lipstick. But upon trying it, it looked nothing like that on me. When will I learn. However, it was the perfect muted red! And I would have bought it much sooner if I knew!
Mac Brick-O-La
This is another one I have purchased repeatedly. It is on the matte side, so I sometimes use a little lip oil in the center of the lip, to give a little dimension, but this is a fantastic muted red lipstick. It is a little bit darker than the Nars Dolce Vita and is a go-to for me during fall (and winter, really). It gives such a beautiful definition, without completely taking all of the attention. Love!!
Sheer Red
I want to separate these from the muted reds, because these are definitely not muted. But applying a sheer red lipstick is a great way to wear red without the risk of looking like you have pasted on lips (that can sometimes happen with high coverage and matte red lipsticks).
YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 127
This is a lighter red-ish shade that is giving such a fresh look, without being too OTT. I always pull this out for spring and summer, it’s an instant mood boost! I also love the moisturising formula in this, it is so easy to apply (even sans a mirror) and just a beautiful product. So of course, it was… discontinued? I was informed by a sales associate that it is not disappeared, but they have changed the packaging. And name. So it is now called the Love Shine instead. We’ll see when I have to replace mine, I will update when I do!
