Red Lipstick 101

I haven't written a blog post in quite a while because I've been so busy with university visits and things, but seen as it is now summer I thought I would jump straight back into it by writing about one of my favourite makeup items ever- red lipstick. I love red lipstick as I think it instantly makes an outfit look more put together, and because it often makes skin look much more brighter and awake. Here I've chosen my top 5 favourite red lipsticks of all time and given you a little introduction into applying red lipstick. I tend to prefer matte lipsticks due to their extreme lasting power and intense pigmentation, which is why the majority of the lipsticks mentioned throughout this post are matte.

Left to right: Barry M lip liner (3), MAC Ruby Woo, Sleek Matte Me (433 Rioja Red), NARS Dragon Girl, MAC Viva Glam 1, Max Factor Lipfinity (120 Hot)

In order to make your lipstick last as long as possible I would recommend ensuring that the lips are well exfoliated and moisturised. This can be done by using a lip scrub and a lip balm, but make sure that the lip balm has soaked into the lips before applying the lipstick- particularly if it is matte. Having applied the lipstick, take a tissue and blot your lips with it. Then reapply another coat. This helps make the lipstick to last longer as it removes any excess wax. Before applying red lipstick I also like to use a lipliner, lining the edges of my lips and then filling in the middle. This makes application a lot easier and again means that the lipstick lasts longer. My favourite liner to use is Barry M's lip liner in the shade 3. It is really soft and creamy, making it effortless to line the lips because it doesn't tug. The shade is a basic red colour and so can be used with the majority of red lipsticks out there.

1. MAC (Ruby Woo)
Ruby Woo is a cult classic amongst the makeup community, and I completely understand why. It applies beautifully, suits most skin tones, and lasts for ages- what more could you want?! I'm also a little bit in love with the vanilla-y smell of MAC lipsticks, as well as the sleek packaging, so that's always a bonus.

2. Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream (433 Rioja Red)
I love the velvety texture and intense, bright colour that this has once it has dried, and the staying power is just incredible. Whenever I'm choosing between my red lipsticks it is often a battle between this and MAC's Ruby Woo- quite impressive considering this only costs £4.99. I do find that it is more drying than the average matte lipstick but this it's not uncomfortable if you make sure to apply lots of lip balm. I would definitely recommend picking one up next time you're in Boots!

3. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (Dragon Girl)
I can definitely see why this cool toned lipstick is what Taylor Swift uses to create her iconic red lip look. It has more pink undertones than the rest of the products mentioned but is still a typical cherry red. I love the fact that it is a crayon as it makes applying the lipstick so much easier- this is a good one to grab if you often find yourself in a rush or on the go, and it also slots easily into your bag or purse. I find that it doesn't last as long as the other lipsticks, a factor that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it instead leaves a pretty stain of colour that can either be left as it is or brightened by applying more.

4. Max Factor Lipfinity (120 Hot)
As I previously mentioned, I prefer matte lipsticks because they are more long lasting. This, however, is the one non-matte lipstick that I have found lasts for a whole day, through drinking and eating, and still requires scrubbing with a makeup remover to get it off. It is such a clever product- you first apply a layer of coloured lipstick before then applying a layer of moisturising balm. This balm makes the lips appear shiny and moisturised, and therefore more full. I absolutely love this lipstick and have never seen anything like it before.

5. MAC (Viva Glam 1)
I've written a post about this already but I like it so much I thought it deserved another mention- you can check out what I think about it here.

It was so difficult for me to only choose 5 lipsticks to write about so I'm sure there will be a similar post again some time in the future- let me know what red lipsticks you would recommend!

My Makeup Favourites

Seeing as this is my first ever blog post on my beauty blog, I thought it best I introduced myself by writing a bit about my favourite makeup products of all time. Most of these products have been a staple in my makeup bag for quite a while, and I use the majority of them on a daily basis. Let me know if you spot any of your favourites, or if you want to suggest any alternatives that I might like!


1. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (51 Light Vanilla)

I tend to alternate between the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum and the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, using the lighter Serum in the warmer summer months. It is medium, buildable coverage, with a gorgeous apricot smell. It applies smoothly with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush, although I find it is applied much easier when a smaller amount is first used and then built upon. I'm not sure I quite believe in the "vitamin-rich fruit therapy" properties of the fruits used, but it does give a lovely dewy finish which definitely gives the skin a nice glow. It claims to last 16 hours but I think that it probably lasts about 10 hours max when applied with powder- it usually lasts all day at school. 

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (001 Transparent)

I won't go into too much detail about this powder as I think almost every beauty blog out there has discussed it- I love it, it isn't at all cakey and sets my foundation nicely. Just a quick plea to Rimmel on behalf of all customers- PLEASE improve the packaging!

3 & 4. Benefit Stay Don't Stray Concealer & Eyeshadow Primer (Light/Medium) and Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (1 Fair)

I use Stay Don't Stray everyday under my eyes, in order to keep my undereye concealer in place. It means that the concealer goes on more smoothly than usual and lasts for longer throughout the day. I also find that it brightens the under eye area that little bit more, but that might just be me! However, I find that it doesn't do such a good job at keeping my eyeshadows in place- I always seem to end up with an annoying line of shadow in the crease even if I use this primer.
Having used Estée Lauder's Double Wear concealer for a solid year and a half I decided it was time to change, and switched to the coveted Collection Lasting Perfection. I'm so glad I did- the colour is a lot better for my skin tone, and it is much better coverage. It lasts all day and doesn't look cakey- and as an added bonus it is nearly 4 times less expensive than the Estée Lauder one!

5. NARS Blush (Orgasm)

This is one of my most favourite products- I love the sleek packaging and the pretty shimmer that runs through the blush. It looks lovely with both winter and summer makeup, and gives the cheeks a healthy, natural-looking glow. 

6. L'Oreal Paris False Lash Flutter (Midnight Blacks)

This mascara was the result of another switch from high end to drugstore. I was a Benefit They're Real obsessive, but found that it was running out too quickly (I was getting through a tube every 3 months!)- a bit of a problem when the product is £19.50. I watched a video by the lovely EmmasRectangle where she mentioned this mascara, and so I went out and bought it. It is easily comparable to They're Real, with the tapered wand providing extra length to the end lashes, giving a really full effect. I actually think that the mascaras themselves are quite similar and give similar results, but prefer this one due to the lower price tag. 

7. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Precision Micro Eyeliner (001 Black)

I am a massive fan of winged eyeliner, and this product makes it so easy to do. What I tend to do is draw a line along the lashline with black kohl eyeliner, before winging it out at the ends with this pen. It means that the wings are really sharp, and it is definitely much easier to use than liquid liner. I also go back over the pencil line with this to neaten it up. If you haven't already tried an eyeliner pen, I would completely recommend it!

8. Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream (433 Rioja Red)

I had to include a red lipstick in my first post, but I found it really difficult to choose between this lip cream or MAC's classic Ruby Woo lipstick. I chose this one in the end due to its long lasting power- it genuinely lasts all day, even after drinking and eating. I usually apply Barry M's red lip liner (3) first to make the application more precise. It is quite drying but that is to be expected with a matte lipstick, and I don't find it uncomfortable at all if I use lip balm before putting it on.