What the little black dress is to your wardrobe, red lipstick is to your makeup kit. It’s bold and it resonates power and confidence.
With time, this classic shade has found its way to the corporate boardroom. It’s the perfect go-to on a particularly gloomy Monday morning. One application, and boom, you’ve got a new dose of confidence right there! From making you look like the boss that you are to dressing up almost anything that you put together in a sleepy morning haze, wearing red lipstick at work is bae. Read our tips on how to wear red lipsticks.
While the bone of contention remains whether walking in with a red mouth is office-appropriate, we think red is a symbol of power, and it’s time we redefined the saying, “Bold is not only beautiful but powerful too.” Here are some ways to totally own the look in a non-flippant way.
Pick the right shade of red
The biggest question in every woman’s mind on how to wear red lipstick at work is if red lipstick will complement their skin tone. The good news is, there is a red for every skin tone — and may we also add — hair colour too! From shades of crimson and ruby to illuminated vermillion or flushed tones of reds in florids and roseate, you will be spoilt for choice. Once you know which shade of red lipstick blends with your skin and hair, know you are ready to cast a spell.
Make sure your red lipstick is applied correctly
While we are all for wearing red lipstick at work, we also think you need to work around the colour in the right way. Outline your lips with a liner, moisturise with a good lip balm, and apply two coats of the lipstick. You can even use a concealer to define the shape once you’re done applying. Matte lips last longer and deliver better results for longer hours at work. For the rest of the face, keep it devoid of any makeup. You could do with a few sweeps of mascara or a light dash of kohl under your eye, and in all seriousness, you are ready to buzz your way to the next boardroom meeting.
Keep it clean
There is nothing more eye-catching than a red lipstick gone wrong. Brighter than most other shades you usually sport, a red lipstick that bleeds onto your skin can make you look like you’ve just woken up from a wild night. Use a lip-liner to make neats and go crazy colouring in! Don’t forget to check for stained teeth before you head out for work. That’s the equivalent of having food stuck in your teeth.
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Plan your OOTD around your red lipstick
Neutral shades of clothing will help balance that fiery shade of red lipstick. We suggest planning your wardrobe in basic neutral shades. It could be a crisp white linen shirt, a stylish black skirt suit, a soot hued pencil dress, or a beige pantsuit – you get the drift? Your red lips will draw enough attention, so keeping your clothes understated will help maintain the corporate decorum.
Wear it with confidence
We get it. Wearing a bold lip colour can be intimidating and suddenly you feel like the whole world is watching you (Maybe they’re wondering how you’re pulling this colour off so powerfully!). Look like a boss, but feel like one too. Find “the one” — a colour that makes you feel comfortable in your skin, as well as bold and beautiful.
Remember that you are stepping out of the safe zone of conventional style. You can either be diffident of the scarlet hue or exude power with your red shade. Think: you are the epitome of the contemporary corporate woman, who is beautiful just as she is confident and empowered.
You’re not about fluff and fancy but about inspiration and brilliance and red is your colour of power.
You go, girl!
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