Dark red lipstick is a beloved colour among designers and makeup artists, as showcased in the latest Milanese fashion shows. Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to wear dark red lipstick.

Generally, the advice for wearing it best is to start with the right shade, chosen based on your skin tone and facial colours. For fair skin with a cool, rosy undertone, dark and very dark shades with a cool, bluish undertone are perfect. For those with medium skin and an olive complexion, a dark red lipstick with a yellow or brick-red undertone will be ideal.

There’s also a selection based on texture. In terms of finish, it’s recommended to choose matte lipsticks if you have full and well-hydrated lips. Those with very thin and/or marked lips are better off with luminous and plumping finishes.

Simple, right? Well, feel free to set aside these ‘rules’ if you don’t think they’re right for you. In our opinion, the best colour (and finish) is often a matter of mood, and it’s much more important to apply the lipstick well to enhance the contours of the lips and, ultimately, the face.

How to wear dark red lipstick

Applying dark lipstick perfectly may seem complicated. Spoiler: it’s not, especially after a few attempts.

In fact, just follow some tips (well-known to makeup artists) to be on the safe side. For long-lasting makeup, the lips must be soft and hydrated to ensure accurate application. The ‘weak point’ of dark lipsticks, in fact, lies in smudges, which are much more evident than with a light shade or a lip gloss.

Here are some simple steps on how to apply dark red lipstick.

• Exfoliate: For dark lipsticks, the base is fundamental. That’s why it’s good to exfoliate the lips periodically with a specific scrub.
• Hydrate: Moisturize your lips daily with a product like lip balm. Always remember to blot your lips before applying lipstick.
• Apply the base: Lip primer is strongly recommended for those with even slightly dry or chapped lips. It allows you to ‘smooth’ the base on which the lipstick will be applied.
• Colour the base with lip liner: Choose a liner which matches the colour of your lips – or neutral – and apply it to all the lips before the lipstick to increase its hold.
• Use the brush: Applying lipstick directly to the lips can create the risk of leaving small areas without makeup, which are visible if the chosen colour is, indeed, dark.
• Set: For an evening-proof hold, have a translucent powder to apply on the lips.

This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.