The picture that sent me on my holy grail red lipstick hunt.
I recall wearing hot red lipstick being a trendy thing from my teenage years. I saved up for months to afford a Chanel lipstick and when I finally bought it, I wore it everyday. I eventually grew out of it, and then nude lips came along. In my quest for an au-natural face, I prefer to use a tinted lip balm like Rose by Burt's Bees over wearing a lipstick. Or this one from Nars if I wanted more color but still nude. It has a lovely matte finish which I love. I don't like glossy lipsticks.
I also like to use this moisturizing and lovely smelling lip balm from Sugar when I don't feel like a any color but need to keep my lips moisturized, especially when we are outdoors doing activities in the sun and in the mountains where the climate is really dry and SPF is needed. There's no waxy feel and the balm doesn't just "sit" and "slide around" on your lips. It feels like it's being absorbed and that's what a good lip balm formula should be for me. But there are days like date night or going to a party that makes me feel like dressing up and I love putting on a bright red lipstick.
Wearing red lipstick requires smooth, un-chapped lips. I need to scrub my lips gently to prep them first. Otherwise, I end up looking like a hot mess off the streets.
The true holy-grail red lipstick should be one that brightens your whole face with no other make up on - your teeth should look whiter, your eyes open. I've tried several different undertones on my skin tone and the one I always go back to is Heat Wave, a bright orangey red by Nars.
I always feel fun and pretty when I wear it. What is your favorite red lipstick if you have one?
(Penelope Cruz photo via this article)