Ringing in the Holiday with Red

Nothing completes the perfect holiday outfit like luscious red lips! Whether you are going to the office party or getting ready for a big New Year's bash, red lips will surely get you noticed this holiday season. Here are the top choices and tips for making your lips mistletoe-ready.

Tips for Red Lips

Because red is so dramatic, you'll want to stay away from bold eyeshadow and blush (otherwise you might end up looking a little clownish). Stick with barely-there gold and rose tones for your eyes, a hint of shimmer on your cheeks, and a volumizing mascara to pump up your lashes for a look that is perfectly classic.

Complement your natural features by choosing a red that flatters your complexion. For fair skin, stick to rosier reds. For darker skin, try out deeper burgundy reds or reddish-brown hues. These colors will bring out your natural beauty while still creating a dramatic effect.

Be careful of smudging. Also, be careful of getting it on your teeth or your clothes! Carry blotting tissues with you for damage control.

If you're planning on sporting red lips, you already have a flair for the dramatic. Now is the time to match your dramatic lips with a dramatic outfit. Nothing will complement your come-hither pout more than velvety black, satiny cream, forest green, or shimmery gold fabrics. Wear something that makes you look great and feel great—nothing like a holiday party to va-voom up your look!

Top Five Red Lipsticks for the Holidays

Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick Red Hot 519: This is the lipstick you want if you’re looking for that 1940's movie star look (think candy-apple red and pin-up bombshells.) For only $1.29, you can’t pass up the opportunity to be a holiday pinup…right?
L'Oreal Colour Riche Divine Wine: This lipstick's name speaks for itself. Like a divine wine, its deep burgundy color is rich and luscious. It's a luxurious steal at $8.95 and can be purchased at drugstores everywhere.
M.A.C Red Russian: Here's another classic shade. It's a dark red matte shade that Madonna wore during her Blonde Ambition tour in the 90s. It’s long-lasting and rich as they come. You'll find this lipstick at department stores for only $14.00.
Sisheido 'The Make-up Perfect Rouge' Lip Color: If you want to stand out in the crowd, the Shiseido is a great bet; it’s a bolder, more opaque formula that makes it a true red. It's sold at Sephora and department stores like Nordstrom. At $25.00, it’s one worthy splurge.
Chanel Rouge Allure 'Excessive': This 'excessive' classic is worth the excess! It's silky, a little sheer, and lightly scented. A bit more understated than the other lipsticks listed above, this is a color that pairs perfectly with any cocktail party. You can buy it online or at department stores like Nordstrom or Macy's for $30.00.

Byline:
Elizabeth Bragg is a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on earning your nursing degree online for the Guide to Health Education.