14 DAY TRIAL // Red is in this year, stylists have been telling us that ever since last December, with signs clearly pointing into this direction going even further back than that. However, pulling off the red pout can be very hard, especially if we’re talking regular women here, and not celebrities who have an army of experts telling them what works best for them. This is precisely why there are a few things we must always bear in mind before jumping on the fiery red lips bandwagon.
The first thing we must consider when we’re choosing a red lipstick is our age. Stylists say that, because such a strong hue can make the face look harder, the lips thinner and the skin older, women over 30 must choose colors that are less vampish and softer. While for women in their 20s the shock factor of the lipstick plays an essential role, for those past that age texture is everything.
The mouth must not come off as a “powdery clotted” red dot, but as a stain of red satin. Then again, if the lippy is too glossy, the effect is equally unsatisfactory. Women in their 30s and beyond must choose more delicate shades of lipstick and brands that place a lot of importance on care and moisturizing. Rich in texture and light on color is the ideal lippy for older women, stylists say, stressing that they too can be bold and stand out from the crowd in 2009, just like their younger counterparts.
Another important aspect to be considering when going for red is finding the shade that works with our countenance and skin type. Given that there are thousands, if not millions of options available, a woman’s task is all the more challenging in that she has to try them all to find the one that is perfect for her, the same stylists advise. A red mouth that has nothing “in common” with the rest of the face (and it’s not just the eye makeup here that is up for discussion) can make even the most gorgeous woman look cheap and out of place.
Sadly, there are no preset rules for picking up the red that works best for each of us. Trial and error is the best method recommended in this sense – this, together with taking the age factor into consideration, will ensure we look as elegant, trendy and sophisticated as possible all throughout 2009.