How to wear red lipstick

Red lipstick is the essential element of an iconic make-up look. A simple swipe of scarlet can instantly brighten the face and add a shot of glamour. It’s a look that is perennially stylish; throughout history, women have used red lipstick to create instant impact – and every year we return to this beauty classic. We've got everything you need to know about choosing and wearing red lipstick.

With a spectrum of shades ranging from pink-rouge to red-orange and all the way to deepest darkest wine colours, sometimes it’s hard to pick the right one for you. Thankfully, celebrity make-up artist John Gustafson is on hand to talk you through the process of finding the exact shade of red lipstick to suit your skin tone.

Whether you want a matte, glossy, moisturising or intense lipstick, the handbag.com beauty team has tried some of the most popular red lipsticks out there.

Once you have selected your perfect lipstick, it’s time to find out the different ways of wearing a red lip. Scarlet lipstick is a lot more versatile than people think; as well as the quintessential retro look, there are also so many contemporary styles to try. M.A.C. Cosmetics make-up supremo Pablo Rodriguez explains the various ways to pull off red lipstick, including inspiration direct from the catwalks.

Red lipstick is a big celebrity favourite – it is probably the most popular red-carpet make-up look of all time. If you are planning on trying out the look for yourself at a big event, have a look at these celebrities wearing red lipstick to get suitably inspired.

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