Indulge the diva in you by stepping out
with a vibrant red pout.
Timeless Chic
What is common
between Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie and Sonam Kapoor, besides their profession? They have set the screen and red carpet ablaze with their ruby
lips. Marilyn Monroe’s red pout
acquired cult status after she wore it with aplomb in the 1955 release, The Seven Year Itch. Jolie stole the show at the 84th Academy Awards this year, dressed in a classic velvet gown, her alabaster complexion offset by scarlet lips. And Sonam Kapoor showed off a
vintage red pout and a sassy fringe
at the Salvatore Ferragamo show in the
Milan Fashion Week this February.
This timeline
reveals the timeless glamour of red lips. Interestingly, a recent study conducted at the Université de Bretagne-Sud, France has revealed that customers
are twothirds more likely to leave a
tip for waitresses who wear red lipstick.
Male customers, especially, tipped generously more than half the time. Sociologists say that red lips get more attention from men as they are associated with
high oestrogen levels and sexual
arousal.
Lancôme Color
Fever Gloss in 142, $24.29
Red Alert
Most Indian women
confess to loving the tons of scarlet options they see in stores but are sceptical about wearing the colour. The first step should always be
getting comfortable with all the
attention you will get. Wear it at home for a couple of days to get used to it. Pair your scarlet lips with an LBD and killer stilettos. Outfits in muted
colours and neutrals like white and
beige offer a perfect foil to red lips. We also adore red lips with striped marinière tops and jeans. It’s a
myth that red lips work only with classy and formal attire. If grunge and
goth are more your style, go right ahead and flaunt a flaming pout.
Dior Spring-Summer 2012 runway
Chanel Rouge Allure
Lipstick in Passion, $26.99
Get It Right
Prep yourself with
a primer and concealer, followed by a foundation that matches your skin tone. Seal it in with loose powder. Choose from burgundy, wine, cherry or
brownish reds, depending on your
complexion. Go for nude nails with red
lips and tie your hair in a bun for a simple chic look; if you want to be more daring, try curls or a fringe. For the day, keep the eyes neutral and opt for a soft
brown or taupe eyeshadow with a sweep
of mascara. For a dramatic evening
look, opt for smokey eyes.
Louis Vuitton Sobe
Rouge Clutch, price on
request
From The Experts
While red lips are
just about the pinnacle of sophistication,
it is no child’s play to pull them off.
Finding the perfect red can be a harrowing search. “There are two types of red that complement the Indian skin tone really well. One is a warm tone, like coral or amber red. The other is a bluered that is great for making a statement,” says Matthew
Tyler, regional training manager, Estée Lauder Middle East and India.
“Berry or violet reds contrast well
with the warm undertones of Indian
skin and this makes the lips stand out
more,” he adds. If not hydrated well, lips become dry and flaky. “Condition them well before you go crimson,” says Tyler. Prime them with a good concealer to make the colour glide smoothly and allow the lipstick to reveal its true shade. Tyler also suggests that you line lips to create a guideline and prevent
the colour from bleeding out. Matte reds look fabulous, but if you must use gloss, keep it to the bare minimum or it is likely to look overdone, he says. Now
you’re all set to join the scarlet brigade.
Clarins Mono Eyeshadow
in Gold Leaf, $15.29
Elizabeth Arden
Eight Hour Skin Protectant
Cream, $17.09
Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau Sensuelle EDP, $114
Leighton Denny in
Caught Red Handed, $21.59
Inglot Matte Lipstick
in 409, $12
Christian Louboutin in red suede, $773.45 (approx)
