Say yes to red

This season ‘Red’ lips are in vogue. All shades of cherry, tomato and orange are adorning the lips of women of every age. Be it a glamour model, a movie star, a vamp or a screen siren; we are drawn towards their red lips. Soft, supple and luscious red lips are coveted and admired on all occasions. So what shade of red are you going to wear on your lips?


Many think that a bold red will make them look like a clown and fearing such results they never try it on. On the contrary, a right shade of red gives a woman the ultimate feminine look and a touch of elegance. Ladies from imperial families have been wearing it since ages. Now its time you let lose your regal self in the perfect red.


How to choose a perfect red for yourself? Ascertain your skin tone to choose the right lipstick for you. Categorize your skin tone under cool, warm or neutral. If the skin reflects red or orange undertones, your skin tone is warm. If its peach, yellow or olive, your skin tone is neutral. Blue and pink undertones mean your skin tone is cool. If you're are not sure, a beauty advisor at a cosmetics counter can advice you correctly.


If you are warm toned then look for a lipstick which has brick, copper, wine and coral red undertones. If you have a neutral skin tone, look for orange or brown undertones. If your skin colour reflects cool tones then go for ruby, garnet shades of berry and fuchsia red undertones. If your complexion is on the paler side, try to use softer pigments unless you want to give yourself a gothic and a dramatic look.


The perfect red shade is different for every individual and depends largely on their personal taste. But a few good red lipsticks can be listed for everybody to keep in mind while they go lipstick hunting in their favourite shade of red. Avon’s Ultra Colour Rich 24K Gold Lipstick in red is ideal for warm skin tones. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Fire and Ice is the coral red and Colour Stay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato is the bright red for warmer tones. YSL Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15 in Orange Shiver is good for women who have neutral skin tone. And so is Avon Perfect Wear Everlasting Lipstick in Eternal Flame in brown undertone. M.A.C Ruby Woo is a bluish red fit for cool toned women. Berzin Irani, a popular name in the make up world (associated with Beyond the Fringe and Cory Walia’s design team) suggests that the best shades in red lipstick are Inglot shade number 408 and 409 in matte.


Ladies, don’t fear when you see red. You can successfully carry it off on both traditional and western looks. A softer shade of red will make you look sophisticated even in your office wear. So, why not give it a try and see for yourself what shade of red you will say ‘yes’ to?



Parimita Chakravorty