{Wearing Red Lipstick For Work}
A question I often get is about wearing brighter and bolder lip colours (particularly red) for the office. Is it appropriate or not? I’m going to answer this plainly and simply with a resounding YES you CAN wear red lipstick for work.
But here are a few tips on wearing it well!
Tip 1: Choose the right colour red
Everyone out there has their PERFECT red lipstick. In general red lipsticks can be blue based or orange based. If you’ve got warm undertones lean towards lipsticks that are orange based while if you’ve got cool undertones go for reds that are blue based.
How do you know what undertone you have? While skin tones obviously vary greatly, my rule of thumb is that if you feel you look better in golds then you have a warm undertone; while if you look better in silvers then you have a cool undertone. If you look great in both then you can likely pull off any type of red!
I personally think I have a cool undertone so I lean towards blue based lipsticks. My favourite red of the moment is this Burberry Oxblood Lipstick. The name may seem super intimidating, but it’s actually a very wearable lipstick. It’s a matte finish lipstick but you can see how sheer it is from the swatch. This shade is often sold out, but check online at Sephora; or if you’re in the GTA you can shop IN STORE at Sephora Square One which has Canada’s first Burberry counter!
Tip 2: Exfoliate your lips
Reds, or any bold lipstick for that matter, are unforgiving to dry or chapped lips. Make sure your lips are in tip top condition. We should be caring for our lips year round anyway, but it’s especially important at this time of year. There is nothing more distracting (not to mention unprofessional looking) than a beautifully applied red lipstick on top of flaky lips!
Tip 3: Keep the rest of your makeup simple
The key to making a red lip office appropriate and polished, is keeping the rest of your makeup really simple. I think this is a good tip in general for workday makeup, but it’s especially important if you want to rock a red lip.
Choose a foundation with as light of a coverage as you’re comfortable with. BB creams or tinted moisturizers are a good option, but if you need a little more coverage like I do, I really like the feel and finish of the Amore Pacific CC Cushion Compact SPF 50. It has great buildable coverage, leaves skin looking very even and glowy, plus it has built-in sunscreen!
Along with keeping your foundation as light as possible, go easy with the eye makeup. Make sure your brows are groomed and apply a bit of mascara – it’s probably all you’ll need! If you feel like you need more definition, just use a bit of eye liner – but keep it neat!
Tip 4: Keep hair simple too
We often forget that our hair can have a significant impact on our looks. When your hair is “too done” it can look a little too glamourous for work with a red lip. On the other hand, for a night out it’s perfect! Try tying your hair back in a low pony tail or letting it fall loose naturally. Save the top knots and voluminous curls for another day.
Do you have any tips on wearing red lipstick for work?
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for matte red shade lippies my go to brands are Revlon, MaxFactor, Mac and Bobbi Brown, although i also try other brands sometimes, for work lipstick shades it really depends on who I will meet that day or what my activities and what clothes im wearing.
http://creativefashion-glee.blogspot.de/2016/02/stylish-sportswear-pieces-that-you-can.html
Great tips! When I want to wear a subtle red for daytime, I like to opt for a stain like Benefit Benetint. It makes me feel “well-dressed” so to speak without looking overdone!
A lip stain is a great option!
Rules have changed for red lips at work and as long as you follow these tips then you will look fabulous!
Ursula
http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com
Agreed, thanks Ursula!
I love this look on you! So classic and totally wearable for work. If I wear red lipstick it’s always with simple makeup and a cat eye too
That Burberry lipstick is gorgeous!
Great tips! I think I wrote a post like this for BNTF in a post before Christmas. I think you can rock any shade of red to work, provided you feel confident in what you’re wearing. If you’re going to be thinking about it, and checking in on it all day, then it’s probably not a good idea. That colour looks amazing on you! I’m still dying to try a Burberry lipstick.
Katherine || The Green Bows
That’s very true, it’s all about confidence. Hopefully more people will feel confident after reading these tips
Wonderful tips! When I worked in an office in NYC, I often wore red lipstick or bright lipstick, but people got more dressed up for work then. Now like you, I lean toward sheer red lipsticks for daytime. My current fave is from Lipstick Queen but can’t think of the shade name. Love the Burberry on you!
I think that’s true…people are definitely more subtle now. It’s nice to be able to rock a bright lipstick for the office, so going sheer is an easy way to do it
Elaine, this lipstick looks absolutely gorgeous on you! I honestly think this shade was made for you.
Thanks Natalie! I keep reaching to wear it b/c it’s obviously such a beautiful shade but then the bullet is so pretty I don’t want to use it – hahaha!