Thursday, August 5, 2010

To red or not to red?

I'll be honest with you: I've never been a huge fan of red lipstick. Artistically (e.g. in a painting), I think it's wonderful. But in reality (e.g. on a person), in my opinion it almost always falls flat. Needless to say, I've never left the house with red on my OWN lips. This is purely due to some bias that I was unfortunately born with, and haven't been able to shake thus far. But recently, I've been wondering if I've done a switch. I was getting a much needed haircut two weeks ago (my first in nearly 10 months), when my hairdresser (in her adorable British accent) remarked that with my hair, skin and eye colour (dark brown, fair and blue), I would look simply fabulous with red lipstick. As far as I know, she wasn't producing her own beauty line, so I was fairly sure she wasn't just making this up to pimp products, but horror of horrors, she was being genuine.

Passion Has Red Lips

Mick Jagger
by Russell Young


Red Lips
by
Brigitte Hintner

Is it possible that I've had the look for that iconic red lip all these years and NOT taken advantage? Not even tried it out? My whole world had been shaken up by this one comment. Ever since then I've been thinking about it from all different angles. Waking up every day feeling either pro red lips, or anti. I haven't had the balls to try it out yet (I don't own any red lipstick, and have been far too busy to head down to a beauty counter), but rest assured when I do, you will be the first ones notified...

Private Lip Blend Colour Collection
Tom Ford


If I were to make the jump from no red to red, I'd want to make it noticeable and dramatic. That's just the kind of person I am. Tom Ford has just released a collection of "highly desirable, highly charged emblems of sophistication and femininity". Something tells me that Tom is the best option to guide me through this new transition.

What do you all think? Pro red? Or anti?
Should I conform after all these years of resisting this trend, however iconic?


Romany

[photos courtesy of elite-view.com, russellyoungprints.com, redbubble.com and sassisamblog.com]

14 comments:

Miri said...

I love red lipstick. I can't pull it off, but a friend of mine can, and she looks AMAZING!

Don't forget to enter my 1st Blog Birthday giveaway :)

Josie said...

I tried red lipstick exactly once, and I just look ridiculous in it! I love it on other people, though.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Kira Aderne said...

I love it, it is so sexy!!!

Chicago Chic said...

I think it definitely depends on your outfit and the occasion. I totally agree with the rule to play down the eyes if you wear read lipstick. When I wear red lipstick, I wear very simple eyeliner and lashes but no shadow. I would also be sure to keep my outfit simple when reading bright red lipstick... but during the summer months I like to keep it all natural looking. So I personally do the red lipstick in the winter with my black trench coat.

By the way I left you an award in my recent blog post!

xoxoxo
Rachel

LyddieGal said...

I think that red lips can be such a strong statement, and that can be a good thing. I've done it a few times, but as with any change from ones usual makeup routine, you tend to second guess yourself.

I think you should try the red, and try it for a few days, before deciding if you love or hate it.

Chic on the Cheap

Unknown said...

maybe candy red only on very special occasions. I couldn't wear it ....all the time. I'd reather got dark plum. Brights scare me. I saw a pic of alia shawkat in red lippy..I was thinking..I'm not that brave.

http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress/alia-shawkat/

Berlin said...

Well, I never like lipstick and only use lip balm xD

But I admit that the colors are gorgeous, and I like both in reality and on pictures ;)


A rainbow slide,
Berlin

Unknown said...

Glad you're back! I esp love maxi's for making me look taller and slimmer! I'm sure you look divine in one!

Think you should def try red lipstick! I don't use lipstick myself, only on special occasions. I think the occasion plays an important role so just experiment a little and don't forget to keep your eyes naturel. I little bit of mascara and eyeliner will do!


My bf gave me this lipstick:
http://www.marieclaire.com/cm/marieclaire/images/mcl-rouge-g-de-guerlain-lipstick-2009-de-72802905.jpg. it's gorgeous and the mirror inside is so handy :) xx

Unknown said...

I'm all for red lips...so many fashion bloggers, models, and movie starlets have made it look so stunning. However, I have not found the perfect shade of red for myself... :(

-Diya
http://www.diyainherstilettos.com/

Dusk said...

Although I'm always puckering a fuschia pout, I do love red lips. matt red lips or glossy, doesn't matter...what matters if it's blue or orange based... what matches the skin tone... that's what many women get wrong so they end up with a red that doesn't match them.

Oh honey. Please. PLEASE. May we have one pic at least??? From your description, from what the hairdresser said to you... red lipstck was made for you!!

Make like Nike and just do it. The Goddess Nike that is...

Siru said...

I love red lips! Everyone should do it at least once! It's such a powerful feeling!

juliet xxx

Death Wears Diamond Jewellery said...

i LOVE red lips!!! especially on pale skin, with the rest of your makeup worn bare.

its a little adjustment to make if you've never done it before, but once you get used to it its so worth it. in my opinon!

Tamanna A. Shaikh said...

Definitely pro-red, when at an evening cocktail party or something butthn it does need to be done with care. I think you shoudl try it once just to see how it goes :)

Marnie said...

Definetely pro red, although I've never taken the plunge myself. I love your writing style, that little element of humour makes you really enjoyable to read.
x