Red lips are a classic, which makes them the perfect choice for gorgeous, timeless wedding makeup. But not all reds are created equally, and it takes a little playing around to find 'The One'.
As a makeup artist myself, I find brides are getting braver by the year, and more and more are opting to wear a bold red lipstick on their wedding day. For some, it's a play on their every day makeup look, while for others, it's helping them to achieve something a little more stylised, whether that's vintage starlet, or cool city bride.
Photo by Elisha Clarke via One Fab Day | Makeup by Michelle Twomey and Tracey Scullion
Where it comes to rocking red on your wedding day, there are a always a few questions I always get asked. Can I pull off a bold lip? How do you stop it bleeding over the edges? What shade is right for me? How can I avoid lipstick transfer? What lipstick will last all day?
The answer to the first question is yes, everyone can pull off a red lipstick, you just need to determine what colour is right for you. As for the rest, keep reading!
Photo by Moat Hill Photography via One Fab Day | Makeup by Sarah Lanagan
As a makeup artist with over a decade of experience in the industry - and an absolute lover of a bold lip myself - I have picked up some tips and tricks for wearing the ultimate red lipstick look. Today I'm sharing those along with my 10 perfect red lipsticks for brides that will last all day, tried and tested, these are some of my absolute favourites!
Pucker up ladies...
How to determine what shade of lipstick to go with?
As a bride you want to make sure you choose the right colour of red lipstick for your skin tone. You may think that one red suits all but you will find cool and warm undertones in each product. If at all possible, you should alway try a lipstick on before you purchase it.
If you have fair skin with pink or cool undertones, look for a blue-based red lipstick. If you have olive skin or warm undertones, opt for a red lipstick with orange tones. An easy way to see the undertones in your skin is the inside of your wrist, but if you're still having trouble seek assistance.
10 Long-lasting Lipsticks for Brides
1. Make Up For Ever, Artist Rouge Mat
A highly-pigmented formula with an easy application. Make Up For Ever vouch this will last ten hours and it definitely lives up to it. Artist Rouge Mat comes in 21 shades - though Hot Red is my fave. Pair with Aqua Lip Liner in 8c for a look that's waterproof, long-lasting and non-transferable.
Retail price: €24 | Buy online here
2. MAC, Lip Duo
MAC have created these cleverly packaged Lip Duos, taking the hassle out of choosing a pencil to go with your lipstick. Ruby Roo is a very matte blue-red lipstick with the recommended, Ruby Roo lip pencil, while Russian Red, an intense bluish-red with the recommended, 'Follow your Heart' pencil.
Retail price : €37.50 | Buy online here
3. Rimmel, Lasting Finish
Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss gives you high intensity for up to eight hours wear. Shade No.1 is a deep scarlet which has a smooth matte application without drying out your lips. And the price isn't half bad either!
Retail price: €7.49 | Buy online here
4. The Balm, Meet Matt(e) Hughes
Meet Matte(e) Hughes by The Balm is a liquid lipstick that glides on with an easy wand application. While this one gives a dry matte finish, your lips feel very comfortable and not at all tight. Try Devoted (a bright red hue) or Loyal (a deep red tone) for gorgeous red lipstick looks. Oh and if you love the scent of vanilla and mint you'll love this product.
Retail price: €16.95 | Buy online here
5. Charlotte Tilbury, Matte Revolution Lipstick
Matte Revolution Lipstick is another fave of mine and when I'm looking for old Hollywood glamour, I turn to Red Carpet Red. Not only is the packaging lush, but so is the product. They have cleverly added a plumping and hydrating ingredient in this matte finish formula. I also love to pair this with the Hollywood Honey liner in an intense caramel hue with red undertones for pure glamour.
Retail price €32.00 | Buy online here
6. Yves Saint Laurent, Rouge Pur Couture The Mats
Rouge Pur Couture The Mats by YSL, is a collection of seductive shades, my favourite being a Rouge Tatouage no.219. With a matte finish that boasts six hours of lasting power, this lipstick is easily applied to the lips without any drying and cracking. The luxe gold case also works as a mirror for those little touch ups throughout your day.
Retail price: €33.00 | Buy online here
7. Nars, Semi-Matte Lipstick
Nars' Semi-Matte in Heat Wave is a bright orange-red hue that looks great on dark skin. To really amp up this look, pair with the Velvet Matte Pencil in Red Square, a jumbo crayon that instantly saturates the lip with colour which helps to make this lipstick stay bright all night long.
Retail price: €27 | Buy online here
8. Tom Ford, Lip Colour Matte
Tom Ford's Lip Colour Matte has a luxurious, velvet matte finish. Ruby Rush (a cool red) and Flame (an orange-red) are both beautiful red lipstick to choose from. They glide onto the lips with ease and have a high pigment and long-lasting lip colour. A high-end choice that feels worthy of your wedding day.
Retail price: €49 | Buy online here
9. Chanel, Rouge Allure
Chanel's Rouge Allure lipstick is another luxe treat that makes a pre-wedding purchase (that you'll have long after your day has passed.). While super matte lipsticks are more trendy at the moment, this selection of vibrant reds will give you a more luminous, moisture-filled finish. A perfect choice for red lipstick beginners.
Retail price: €35 | Buy online here
10. Chantecaille Lipstick
With several gorgeous red shades to choose from, (Holyhock and Poppy are particularly nice), Chantecaille is one of those under-the-radar luxury beauty brands, that those in the know adore. With an intense pigment, nourishing formula, and long-lasting finish, this is the perfect wedding day lipstick - that might just become a mainstay in your make-up back afterwards.
Retail price: €33.55 | Buy online here
Photo by The Lous via One Fab Day | Makeup by Roy Wong
Expert Tips for Wearing Red Lipstick on your Wedding Day
- Exfoliate your lips before applying any makeup to get rid of any unwanted dry skin. Try Lush's Bubblegum Lip Scrub to give them a proper polish.
- Apply lip balm (Dr PawPaw is great) to smooth out any lines on your lips, but remove it before applying the lipstick.
- Alternatively use a lip primer - try MAC Prep + Prime Lip or Anastasia Lip Primer.
- Always use a lipliner that matches the shade of your lipstick.
- Apply the liner over the entire lip, draw on your hand first to soften it up and to heat the wax.
- Choose matte lipsticks instead of high shine for a long-lasting look
- A lip brush is ESSENTIAL for getting that perfect pout.
- Apply a second coat to add depth to your lips.
- Blot the inside of your lips to remove and prevent any unwanted stains on your teeth.
- Use a pencil corrector or concealer to clean up the edges of your lips.
- Dust with translucent powder for added longevity.
Photo by Matt + Lena Photography via One Fab Day | Makeup by Joana Moreira
Will you be brave and wear red on your big day? Have you got a favourite red lipstick that stands the test of time? We'd love to hear from you, leave a comment below.
All these products can be found in pharmacies or department stores in both Ireland and the UK and are also available to buy online.
To find a makeup artist for your big day, check out the One Fab Day Wedding Book.
