Anyone else feel like they can't do a bold/red lip? - YouLookFab Forum

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Anyone else feel like they can't do a bold/red lip?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I try and I try. I never seem to find the right color. And then I think, maybe bold red lips just aren't for me. I know they say there is a red out there for everyone, but can it be much like high or low contrast coloring or clothing? Some people are better with high, others better with low?
This was yesterday afternoon with no makeup on but a flick of mascara.

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69 replies

Latest reply was from

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think you hit it with the contrast thought Mo - but to be honest I just don't care much for the look on myself so I don't even try. My lips are fairly dark in color to begin with and more of a dusty mauve than a red so for me the typical red just seems too off for me.

Missey

Veteran

That is actually a very lovely red for you! It sounds more like you just don't care for the high contrast. I really like a red lip with very little makeup, especially with just a white or grey tee and jeans. If it is something you want to add to your personal "look book" I think you would just have to do it more often to become comfortable with the look. As pictured, I think it is quite nice on you!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don't like it on me either. It's like it's too ALGO on my face. Maybe it's the combination of large-ish features on a small face. I do much better playing up my eyes just a little bit and taking a more muted approach on my lips. I usually go with something in a similar color to my natural lip color but a little darker for a bit of definition and polish.

It's actually a good thing, my husband doesn't care for the bold/dark/bright lip color look anyway.

Jules

Veteran

I think this is a good one for you actually. It's a strong but not super bold lip IMO. But I know what you mean. I'm sure there is a technically a red out there for everyone, with the right undertones or whatever to flatter your colouring. But that doesn't mean everyone looks amazing with a bold red lip or wants to rock that look.

Gigi

Veteran

I have a problem with this too. I haven't found my "bold lip" color yet and still think it might be a matter of searching *a lot* to find just the right one (which will then be discontinued in a month, I'm sure!). I wonder if adding a little bit of a brownish lipstick to this one would bring it more in line with your natural coloring, which seems to be pretty golden? I think sometimes just a very little tweak is all that's required.

You did a very nice job on your lipstick application, by the way. Very professional looking.

MsMary

Veteran

I would love to rock a red lip, but every time I try it I end up looking like an old hag! Seriously! For some reason it's just incredibly aging on me!

I think you look great in these pics!

Neel

Veteran

I love it on you Mo. It's a very pretty shade on you. It takes a while to get used to the high contrast like you said though.

I think bold lips are a very personal love affair. You either hate it or love it! I love to go for it when I really want the attention to go to my face. So everything is fairly minimal. Like a jeans and tee with slip on sneaks and bold lips. When I am dressed up, I almost never go bold with lips.

ClaraT

Veteran

It is more comfort than anything else. That red looks fantastic on you, especially with your other make-up light. If it is too bold, apply that shade with your finger over lip balm to get a sheer-er version of the same shade. (That works for me--bold requires that one not eat/drink/kiss too much, and I always forget...).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm not a big fan of it on myself either. It just looks very high contrast in a way that looks overdone. But then, I wear shades close to my natural lip color, or balm without color, 90% of the time so I'm not used to the look at all. If I'm getting prettied up for an event, I prefer to emphasize my eyes.

E

Veteran

I finally found a darker red that works well for me after years of searching, but it's as bold as I'd ever go. It actually looks like dark, brown-y pink in the tube but turns more vivid & red on me, probably because I have soft, low contrast coloring. That classic red lip makes me feel terribly self conscious/weird, although I admire it on other women. So you're not alone!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Janet, my BF is not a fan either.
I think the point about just getting used to the contrast is part of it. This is the best red I've found yet so maybe I'll keep it just to play once in a blue moon. Perhaps trying the lightest swipe first to ease the BF and I both into it
And if I just don't get used to it, I tried.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like it on you. Though it's more of a soft red lip.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What E said. It's tough for me to wear. And if Anna says this is "soft" that tells me I can't really do "bold."

You look great, but I get what you are talking about. It just feels like too much.

April

Veteran

Though I wear lipstick every single day, it's never red. Red just looks wrong for my coloring.

shedev

Veteran

I can wear reds if they have blue undertones. I like the color on you. Have you tried sheer reds?

Isabel

Veteran

I, too, don't like it on me. I can never seem to get the right red. I feel the same with nail polish.

About 4 months ago, a wonderful Sephora rep suggested a "stronger" lip color for me and I absolutely LOVE it. But this led me to think that I really need other people, who know products and colors, to suggest makeup ( color, like blush and lip ). The Enchanted.

http://www.sephora.com/lipsurg.....Id=1604719

If I wore a lot of make up, cost would become an issue. So I search for "dupes" on the emily noel beauty broadcast blog. She does an awesome job of finding lower cost duplicates. But I am soooo happy with my Tarte lipstick that I would NOT change it for cheaper.

cciele

Veteran

I think that shade of soft red looks good on you! Part of it is adjusting your eye to the high-contrast, bold lip look.

For some people, I think a red lip is a signature look. Because I see them with a red lip all the time, they tend to look washed out without it. Again, it's what you're used to seeing.

I rarely wear a red lip these days, because like Mary I feel it is aging on me. But occasionally I'll do a red stain to deepen my normal color.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Shedev, this actually is a balm! Kinda pepperminty, which is nice
Wow, Anna, I'm with Suz, if this is soft I could never do bold.

Keturah

Veteran

I think that's a nice shade of red on you! Though I can't help feeling that a warmer, more muted shade would suit you better??

Reds can be tough, and I really don't think they're for everyone personally. I have higher contrast hair and skin, and while I wear reds, I've found myself wearing bold lips less and less over the last year.

I think you have lower contrast skin and hair, so definitely go for more muted shades. Julie Hewett had a line of sheer red lipsticks; but her website has recently disappeared and I fear she has gone out of business. (Sad, sad, sad!) Look at Clinique's Almost Lipstick line. Their Black Honey is a lovely sheer red shade that seems to suit many puckers. They also have other colors that are equally gorgeous.

Niki Lea

Veteran

Mo, you're not alone (as you can see). I've tried a handful of times, but it doesn't look right on me either. Part of my issue is that I have extremely pink cheeks so earthy tones just don't work on me in general. I've always worn a pink lip instead, whether it's dark, light, or more plummy.

Edited to say that I actually think that lip looks very nice on you.

Anonymous

I absolutely adore the look!! You look great.
Two colors you might try: MAC Brick-o-la and MAC Dubonnet. More pigment.

Frances

I think this colour looks good on you, and as some others were saying, it's a soft red.

What colour is it exactly? I'd love something like this!

Aziraphale

Veteran

It might be because you have large, beautiful eyes -- they compete with the high-contrast lips?

FWIW I think that colour looks good on you. Maybe it's a matter of getting your eye to adjust to the look?

rachylou

Veteran

I think you look very pretty in this shade, but I hear you. I'm not really comfortable with a bright red lip, although I liked it in my teens. I feel like it's some sticky glop just stuck on my face. Like a little kid eating ice cream.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Yes, I love it on others and when I try, I feel like a clown. Maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it but I can never make myself leave the house with it on!

Anonymous

Malina, you have a beautiful smile! I think that's a pretty good red for you. It would take some getting used to, that's for sure. If you really loved it, you could work it, but if it feels "off" I understand.
I wore primary red lipstick years ago when we were required to as part of an airline uniform (boy, times have changed!). It was weird at first but in the end I got used to the "red lips and tips" (fingernails) that we all wore, and didn't feel dressed without them.

The brownish pinks of the 90's came after that and now we are still in the nude lipstick phase as far as I can tell. Advice to over 40 women seems to be in favor of a lighter or more natural looking lip so that's what I've been wearing and that's what my eye is used to seeing on me now. I tried a soft red the other day when I was wearing my khaki dress and it wasn't so bad, but I felt really "done up". It's definitely a look, but I think it's easier to do when you see everyone else doing it and your eye becomes adjusted.

carambola

Veteran

I think that shade looks nice on you, but I understand not feeling comfortable in a bold lip. I have high contrast coloring, so theoretically, I should be able to find a bold shade that looks good, but I have yet to find one that feels like me. My lips are on the full side, so intense color there feels too dramatic and doesn't match my personality. I think I could probably train my eye to adjust to a bold(er) lip on myself, but this is one area where I just don't feel the need to push my boundaries.

rabbit

Veteran

I think that color-wise (and transparency) that works on you, it is a nice contrast with your green eyes. If I had your coloring (and tan) I'd go warm pinky/nude/brown more often though, you can deepen that color for more defined lips or keep it very subtle.

I never use lipstick straight from a tube, I'm always mixing together colors with liners (and brown and purple eyeliners) and glosses and balms on my mouth, so I generally just customize whatever works for my outfit and the light, adding and subtracting a bit more red or pink or brown or orange or pale metallic to adjust it on my face.

As an aside I wonder why they don't make a balm with a tiny bit of chili in it, the kind of thing that would give you the naturally red lips you get after eating spicy food. Or do they?

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I always think of the bold red lip as a very glam look. Perhaps that just doesn't jive with your style persona which is more laid back casual.

I gave up after a boss of mine told me I looked like the Tasmanian she-devil when I put on red lipstick. It was a great color and looked amazing on my girlfriend. Me, not so much.

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