We Found The Perfect Red Lip Colour For Your Skin Tone

Find your perfect red lip shade

When you want to put your best face forward, top it off with a red lip colour. “It’s the power suit!” says Caitlin Callahan, a senior artist for M.A.C Cosmetics. “I don’t wear red lipstick every day, but there are days when it truly works. It’s confident, seductive and playful.”

Her pro POV takes an open-minded approach to cherry picking the right red for your skin tone. “Anyone can wear any shade,” says Callahan. “It’s really all about attitude.” Topping her list of go-to hues are vivid berry red for fair skin, tomato red for medium skin and a well-balanced vibrant red (a mix of warm and cool tones) for dark skin. Callahan also gives serious thought to texture as a highly customizable beauty accent. (Here’s what your lipstick shape says about you.)

“Gloss is sexy, matte lipstick looks classic, and stain conveys a soft message,” she says. “It depends on how bold you want to be.” Where there isn’t any wiggle room is the best way to apply red lipstick. “It takes patience,” says Callahan. “The application and maintenance are not to be rushed. If you choose gloss or stain, that’s easier. A polished red lip should be symmetrical and have even coverage.”

Concealer, powder and lipliner can help. “If you want it a bit softer, trace the shape of your mouth with a neutral pencil and add red on top,” she says. To spot-check your results, use Callahan’s modern technique: “Take a photo when you’re done,” she says. “It’s easier to see if it’s crooked in a picture.” (This is how to achieve the perfect red pout with lipliner.)

Want to know your right shade? Here are the reds that will best suit your complexion:

Red lip for fair skin

Your red lip should make a statement, so why not go berry bold for the perfect pout?

Product order from left to right:

• Benefit Gogotint Cheek & Lip Stain, $40 at sephora.ca.
• Bareminerals Statement Luxe Shine Lipstick in Alpha, $25 at sephora.ca.

Red lip for medium skin

Nothing screams a red lip done right like a tomato red. If you’re looking for a stand-out lip to accentuate your best feature, these hues won’t let you down.

Product order from top to bottom:

• Estée Lauder Pure Color Love Lipstick in 300 Hot Streak, $28 at estéelauder.ca.
• L’Oréal Paris Colour Richie Matte in 102 Matte-ly In Love, $ 9 at mass retailers.

Red lip for dark skin

Warm or cool? Which tone do you prefer? These hues will have you red lip ready for whatever party comes your way.

Product order from top to bottom:

• Chanel Rouge Allure N°1, $43 at holtrefrew.com.
• M.A.C Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Roo, $22 at maccosmetics.ca.