THE STORY OF RED

Red lipstick: my story

Do you remember your first time? The moment you picked up that forbidden baddass of shades? One thing’s for sure, your first red lipstick isn’t one that's easily forgotten. Over the years, I developed such affection for red, nothing quite compares. Red is bold, demanding and shields me from prying eyes. Yes, they see me, they see the confidence in rocking the most statement of shades. What they don’t see is the shyness, my lipstick tells the stories I can’t put into words. There’s been a time when I only wore red. Meetings all day? Red. Sunday in PJs? Red. Red is for life, red is me. 

I often get asked about my favourite red. There’s been so many throughout the years. From unnamed Constance Coral red I bought at 13 and wore only on special occasions as my school didn’t allow makeup. My grandparents complained to my mom that I’m on the route to no good but my pink lip-loving mom never told me off. Red meant confidence, it was love from the first sight, one relationship that lasted. My boyfriends over the years despised it. I don’t remember if I cared but clearly, it didn’t make a difference. 

Over the years I wore reds in all shades, from pinky reds, through blue tone reds, true reds, orange tone red to deep crimsons. Beauty myth that reds don’t suit everyone is just it, a myth. It's all in confidence really. I’m super pale, almost transparent and wear them all. Warm, cool and neutral reds - I love you. Wearing red lipstick makes me feel powerful. Red stands out and it’s high maintenance yet I call it my lazy day saviour. On days when I rock a little CC cream, some bronzer, a ton of highlight, do my brows and few coats of mascara, red lippy is the one I opt for. It brightens my face, makes me look made up in seconds.  

Red is a conversation starter. I often get asked on the street for the shade I’m wearing and do the same often. I compliment a shy girl standing alone & rocking a stunning orange red and 5 minutes later we are friends for life. We swap social handles & meet up for coffee once in a blue moon. When I buy another orange red lipstick I know she’s the first I’ll be sending snaps to. She understands. 

From bottom: Lola, Kiko, Bourjois, Stila, Rosie for Autograph, Charlotte Tilbury, Phase Zero & Karl Lagerfeld for ModelCo

Red may be my lazy makeup day trick but it’s far from easy. Red means commitment! Wearing it well makes all the difference and thankfully I learnt a thing or two over the years. Step 1: always start with a lip liner. My two faves are more niche and little cheaper too, which I find refreshing from my predominately high-end collection. Lola Lip Pencil in Cherry (007)* is a lip liner & brush combo in a stunning true red with a bit of warmth, easy to apply and smudge. Kiko Smart Lip Pencil in Red Papaya* is more orange and I adore that. It matches my fave lippies so well! I go a little over the line, making pout a little fuller & blend it inwards. 

Step 2 aka here comes the lipstick and there are so many options but I picked my two FAVES. Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura and Rosie for Autograph in Super Model Kiss* are my everyday heroes; creamy, pigmented and worn with ease. I apply them straight from the bullet, blot lightly with a tissue and smudge a little with my finger. If you’re into that undone finish - that’s the way to achieve it! These two look almost identical when swatched but believe me when I say it, they're slightly different, CT is a little lighter.

Special event red in liquid lipstick form is meant to last. And boy it does. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Tesoro is stunning, more red than orange but prominently warm. This lippy is meant to last & I often wear it on days when I'm in meetings non-stop. Bourjois Rouge Laque in Red to Toes again is slightly orange but the formula is a little different. It's sheerer, has an almost glossy finish, wears comfortably & lasts quite well too. I tend to opt for bullet or gloss formula lately (I KNOW!) but on a busy day, I tend to opt for something that won't budge.

2018 has seen me moving away from liquid formulas and towards gloss. Glossy red isn’t easy to wear especially on a windy day but nothing looks quite so sexy. To avoid the mess, start with lipliner and fill your lips living only the middle undone and that’s where the gloss goes! Apply it in the middle, the more pigmented the better as there’s nothing worse than too much gloss. I have a few favourites this summer. I know I HAVE A FEW FAVE GLOSSES, you heard that right! Phase Zero Gloss in Postbox Red* (POST) is simply stunning, super pigmented and you can grab yours FREE if you spend £5 on Love Me Beauty with code ‘beautydramaqueen5’. And if you’re into a designer, I can’t get enough of Karl Lagerfeld for ModelCo Lip Lights Gloss in Tango* (POST). I really enjoy the formula and packaging is a true luxury, bit tacky as any branded Karl accessories but I’m drawn to it anyway. You can grab yours now & get free Karl-buki Brush* (POST) with any purchase on Cult Beauty now.

The story of red

My red story has been inspired by the August edition of British Vogue article by my idol Sali Hughes! Her "Red & I" story made me sentimental and I started to think of my own relationship with a red lipstick. What’s your red story? I want to know your faves, not just the shades but mainly your history with them. Please share in the comments below. And, if you decide to share a snap of you wearing your favourite red, don’t forget to tag me (@BDQblog) on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook! Or use #BDQmademedoit if I inspired you to discover or re-discover a red lippy! 

Thank You For Reading,

Love

*Disclaimer*

Some of the products featured have been sent for review consideration, there are clearly marked with * and the links used are affiliate. What it means is that I receive a teeny tiny commission for any sale made through the link. I do not receive a commission for clicks alone. This does not influence my opinion in any way. I’ll always relay my unbiased thoughts to my readers.