Makeup For Indian Skin: Red Lipstick 101

It’s Raining Red! : Review - Guerlain 123 Vs Dior Favori Red 752 Vs Mac Red

There’s something about red lipstick that makes you feel like you can rule the world. Don’t be afraid to try it because trust me once you do try red lipstick, you’ll be a convert! Red lips are not just for the night, if done right they can be a great day look too. Keep your other make up neutral and low key. For the night, add some very light champagne eye shadow and a simple black eye liner. For something more dramatic, do a cat eye. Avoid the gloss with red lips, and if you do want to use gloss… steer clear of the sparkly stuff and just add a dab of clear gloss to the center of your lower lip.  To ensure a smooth and flawless look, use a lip brush while applying the lipstick. This will give you more control. But first ensure you use some foundation to create a good matte base for your lipstick to adhere too or use a lip primer. Then you can use a lip pencil in a shade similar to your lipstick and fill in your lips but I prefer using the lipstick on a brush as a liner itself, using it at the end to ensure proper definition and precision. Apply your lipstick and voila you are done. This way your lipstick will not only last longer but you will also not have that dreaded and horrible lip liner ring effect!

What To Look For When Choosing A Lipstick:

While more expensive does not necessarily mean better quality, you need to pay attention to the formula of the lipstick itself. With bright and statement colors such as red, bright pink, etc its paramount that your lipstick should have good staying power and not dry your lips out (brighter and more pigmented colors tend to be more drying).  When you pick up a red lipstick it’s to make a statement and make you feel like the queen of the world. Hence picking the right lipstick is vital. While you need not spend major moolah on regular colors, for reds, etc spend the money as the lipstick will last you a long time. Why? Because you’re not going to spend half your life reapplying it when you can be partying and also because most of us mere mortals don’t use statement colors on an everyday basis. Now go ahead pick up that red, paint your lips sexy and rule the world! 

Glam, Gorgeous and Oh So Sexy!

Luxe Packaging Makes You Feel Extra Special!

Mac Red (Forgive the Dry Alligator Hands - I Was In The Middle Of A Move!)

Left To Right: Dior Rouge in Favori Red 752, Guerlain Rouge Automatique in 123

Mac Red:

Great price point and that’s something that packs a major punch in its favor. Unfortunately its not as long lasting as I hoped for and it dried my lips out a wee bit.  That being said, it’s a great color for a range of Indian skin tones (I’m an NC42). If you don’t have dry lips like I do, then this is a great option. Also maybe it may last longer on people with more moisturized lips. Don’t forget to throw it into your handbag or clutch for touch ups on the go!

Guerlain (in 123):

It’s like a makeupaholic’s wet dream in a lipstick tube. The creaminess of the formula combined with the intensity of its pigment ensures that your red lips will stay red instead of fading and leaving the dreaded lip liner ring effect. With this lipstick you can start the party with blazing red lips and end the night the same way with the color still true on your lips. For me, the biggest bonus is that it does not dry my lips out and that is something great as I have chronically dry lips. And of course the incredibly chic and very glam James Bondish case helps its case immensely. It’s sure to inspire envy in the ladies room when you whip it out of your appropriately tiny  and fabulous clutch.

Dior (in 752 Favori Red):

I love the classic Dior quilted pattern on their case… if only it didn’t start chipping after a while. L  But for now since I’m a very long way off from owning a must have Dior Quilted bag I’ll settle for their luxe looking lippie case. J Now for the real review – I love the formula on this lipstick the best! It goes on like a dream and stays on like it should. No matter how many glasses of wine or how much you muah muah, it stays on making it the longest lasting lipstick of the three I’ve reviewed. Apart from the steep price, I feel this may not suit all Indian skin tones although I feel I can pull this shade off for my NC42 skin tone. These are the only two cons I can even think off when it comes to this baby. It never dries your lips out and keep them looking plump and moisturized and let me tell you… that’s a feat by itself!