Red Alert

Put this on your list, ladies! There is no need to check it twice: red lipstick.  Red lips are brazen. Sultry. Stunning. Elegance at its best.

I’ve heard that it’s the single best way to kick up a party look and make a sexy entrance to any party. So, I set out to my local department store and drug store to swipe on some good cheer!

Truth be told, I’ve never worn red lipstick. I’m too intimidated and always thought of any crimson color as Hollywood pop, ultra rich, and WAY too sophisticated.  Deep down, my inner Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani wanted to rock out.

I chose Hot Passion by Cover Girl and Ruby Star by Maybelline. Why? I like the names. I always thought picking out lipstick; especially red, was supposed to make me grown-up, refined and urbane. Instead, I find myself acting like a kid, judging the lipsticks by their names and packaging. Is that so bad?

Cover Girl, Hot Passion

Maybelline’s Ruby Star

My drugstore red lipsticks were very tempting and very passionate in appearance. I secretly wondered if I could use them for sticky situations. When I tried them at home, I was unable to perfect yesteryear’s pout.  My lips sure did pop, but so did the rest of my face.  Let’s just say that I resembled a candy apple or a cherry bomb. It was a disaster in the making for me. I really liked the consistency, and the way the lipstick glided on my lips; unfortunately, the colors were all wrong for my skin tone.

My next stop was my local department store. This time, I had assistance trying to replicate the edgy look I was going for. I was told I couldn’t mix a smoky eye with a red lip. Really? Apparently, walking around with raccoon eyes and bright lips puts way too much jingle in my bells! I was told to pick one feature as my main focus.  Was the sales associate trying to sell me more makeup?

I asked the makeup artist to show me a red that Beyonce would wear.  She gasped. Was I too direct? She directed me to a memorable red by Yves St. Laurent and had me apply the lipstick with a cotton Q-tip. My fuzzy red lips were quite a sight for sore eyes. I admit, I did like the red, but could have done without the wooly fluff from the Q-tip. Could I really get away with wearing the color red? Before I made up my mind, I found myself at another makeup counter.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture #14

This is YSL Rouge Pur Couture #14. I found this classic color is not only for smiles, but Corvettes and coupes, too. It is really sexy!

The woman behind the Estee Lauder counter said I had the perfect lips for any color red. Really? She said I could really make a lot of noise with Scarlet Siren. BUT…my lips required a lip liner. Seriously?

My “new best friend” informed me that my fair face had a cool undertone to it. Who knew! She recommended a primary red liner, which would give me the classic red lip. I was fired up by her enthusiasm and just said, “yeS, yES, YES!”

Using a sharp lip pencil and leaving only a tiny space in the middle sans color, she lined my lips ever so delicately. Then, I found out the secret to a beautiful red lip…a small lip brush. My “makeup artist” blended the liner and lipstick together in a circular motion (just like my mother used to do). Her last trick was using dusting powder to make it stay on FOREVER while simultaneously wiping away any lipstick on my face that bled past my lip line.

I truly felt like a Scarlet Siren with my new cherry smackers.

Now I’m in search of some mistletoe.