This tutorial is designed to walk you through, step-by-step, how to create those crisp, red lips.
Skill Level: Beginner
Lips: Viva Glam I lipstick (any matte red lipstick will do)
Tools: MAC 316 lip brush, MAC 194 concealer brush
Start with bare lips. (Mine have a touch of foundation from applying it to my face, but this is not an issue, as you’ll see in the next step.)
Using the 194, apply a layer of foundation all over your lips. Alternatively, you could use Urban Decay’s Primer Potion or MAC’s Lip Erase (PRO product). The purpose is to neutralize your lips and reduce pigmentation and undertones.
Your lips should resemble something like this.
Using the 316, pick up a generous amount of Viva Glam I lipstick and begin applying it to the bow of your lip.
Using the 316, you want to line your lips with the lipstick itself, before applying it all over the lips. Alternatively, you could use a matching lip liner (Red Enriched cremestick liner is my recommendation) to get a cleaner line or for added bleed prevention if your lips have a tendency to bleed.
This is how your upper lip should appear.
Now, utilize the same technique to line the bottom of your lower lip.
Since we are using the same lipstick to fill in the lips, perfection is not key! It doesn’t have to be an exact line.
It’s time to fill in your lips. Keep brushing the 316 against the lipstick itself and then apply the color generously to your bottom and upper lips.
Keep repeating the process until you get to the desired level of redness. It will start off as a light to medium pink and get darker, eventually to the truest red that you see from the lipstick itself.
After several applications, your lips should have a color like this.
Fix any imperfections by slowly going over the edges of your lips. If you find yourself with a few bits that are outside the lines, there are two ways to remove it. One, use a cotton swab with a touch of make remover, and erase the flaws. Two, use foundation or concealer to go over the flaws. Either way will usually accomplish what you need, but if there is a significant stray red mark, makeup remover is the better option.
Here is the final version.
Plushy red lips!
Karen
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Fantastic tutorial! I’ve become more red lip friendly as of late so this helps a lot. You look very pretty!
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thanks, Karen! I’m trying to be more red lip friendly, too. It’s tough!
foxyqt
Sunday, November 4, 2007
VG I looks amazing on you =)
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thank you, Foxyqt!
I♥M·A·C
Sunday, November 4, 2007
u r absolutely gorgeous woman
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thank you, love!
Esmeralda
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Online there aren’t any palettes with the first VG…?
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
I have a full sized tube of VG I.
A-mused
Sunday, November 4, 2007
very pretty Christine ;)
great tut! Especially for me as I am slowly venturing into reds :)
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thanks Iz! I’m with you, slowly but surely, getting into reds.
Carrie
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Oh, this is great and it looks really beautiful on you!
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thank you Carrie!
kia
Sunday, November 4, 2007
i was just advised of this method! lo and behold you have a tut here. i’m glad it’s a tried and true technique!
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
It sure is, Kia! I hope it works for ya!
nilla cookie
Sunday, November 4, 2007
super pretty! I need to wear red lips more often – thanks for the tutorial! :)
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thank you! Me too!
Cristina
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Thanks for the tips! Maybe I should start buying red lipsticks, I’m used to nudes, peaches and pinks. Viva Glam I is the ultimate classic red lipstick! You should use reds more often, looks good on you :)
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
No problem, Cristina! Thank you for the compliment – I keep trying to wear more reds!
D.Blac
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Absolutely gorgeous! What a great tut!
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thank you :D
Mrs. Lynne
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Christine! This is a great tutorial and the red looks FABULOUS on you. I wish there were lipsticks of this shade but in an all-day formula. I have kids and my lips are on them all day.
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thanks, Mrs. Lynne! I am happy to help :)
MAC does make prolongwear and prolustrewears that are longwearing. I know how you feel – with my boyfriend I can’t go wearing ka-pow lips all the time!
bev
Sunday, November 4, 2007
oh! that’s amazing! it’s not even messy applying rich red lipstick. and i’d like to have that MAC’s Lip Erase (PRO product)to even out my lip’s skin tone :)
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thanks, Bev! I bought some myself, but I keep forgetting to try it.
jenny
Monday, November 5, 2007
Great look!!! A holiday must have!
Christine
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thanks, Jenny! Definitely! Red lips are sooo holiday-ready.
Kristie
Monday, November 5, 2007
I have an appt at the NARS counter over the weekend.. Thinking I will have them find my red lipstick. Its time, long overdue. You have inspired me!
Christine
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Good idea, Kristie! Good luck!!
Annie
Monday, November 5, 2007
You have to use red on your lips more often! It works with you…
Christine
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Thanks, Annie! I’ll try :)
lisa
Monday, November 5, 2007
Love the tutorial always wanted to try red but was afraid of the bold color. Now i know how to get it how i want it. Thank you:-)
Christine
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Thanks, Lisa! I hope it works for you :)
addicted_2color
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
loved this tut and omg red looks so good on you. thanks for the tip i never thought of using concealer on my lips. my lips are so pigmented that many lipstick colors always go “off” from what they look like in the tube. thanks so much.
Christine
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Thank you Addicted_2color! I hope it helps you out :)
LALALALALOVE
Saturday, December 8, 2007
AMAZING!…absolutely stunning!<3
Christine
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Thank you so much! :)
LALALALALOVE
Saturday, December 8, 2007
UR ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFULLL!
Christine
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Thanks again, hun!
Renee
Friday, January 11, 2008
wow this looks great!!
i was wondering, does adding concealer/foundation to ur lips before the lipstick make them feel dry? i feel like i have this problem, then again it could be because i always have to have some sort of chapstick on my lips.
thanks again!! u look awesome!
-Renee :b
Christine
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thanks Renee! It doesn’t make mine dry. You may want to put on a lip balm before you do it, so it isn’t drying then!
MAC_GiRL
Sunday, January 13, 2008
WOW. I BEEN HAVING SO MUCH TRUBLE WITH MY **SO SO CUTE** REDS. AND I HAVENT DARED TOUCH IT MORE THEN ONCE BECUZE IT JUST DOESNT LOOK RIGHT. BUT I HAD THAT EXACT BRUSH THE WHOLE TIME!! NOW I KNOW JUST WAT TO DO. THANKZ TEMPTALIA. UR THE BEEESSTTT!! **LONG TIME READER, BUT JUST STUMBLED INTO THIS ARTICLE HAHA**
Christine
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hey MAC_Girl! I’m glad to have helped you, hun!
D
Monday, February 18, 2008
What color combination eyeshadow look good with red lipstick?
What color combination lips go good with black smokey eyes?
I always get confused as to what goes best with what?
Another one is purple combo eyeshadow or blue eyeshadow what type of lipstick or gloss goes with what Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I find that many makeup blog sites never go over this…thank u ;)
Christine
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hey D! I like neutrals, golds, and occasionally a tinge of purple or pink.
I always opt for a nude lip, at most a pale coral lip, for black smoky eyes.
I like corals or nudes with blue shadows, whereas I like pink or purple/plum lips with purple eyes.
D
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thanks! What are some your favorite or must have lipglosses or lipsticks that work with most of your do’s!?
Christine
Friday, February 22, 2008
Hey D! I really like these lipsticks: CB96, Sweetie, Cherish, Capricious, New York Apple. I like these lipglasses: Lychee Luxe, C-thru, Pink Poodle.
Erin
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Christine, I know every MA says to always apply lipstick with a brush rather than straight from the tube. What is the reason for this–longer last? I don’t personally see how precision is improved by using a brush–in fact, for someone like me who isn’t a pro, precision is much worse with a brush rather than from the tube. Plus it takes sooo much longer with a lip brush. What are your thoughts?
Christine
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Hi Erin,
It is to help with precision for the most part, and it also helps you layer it on layer by layer. I usually apply from the tube to be honest :)
china blue
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Just discovered this – in fact, I just bought my first EVER red lipstick in Russian Red. The tip about the foundation was very useful – my lips are varying shades and I have the perfect neutraliser for them. I think this will be my look for work tomorrow… :-)
Christine
Monday, March 31, 2008
I’m so glad I was able to help you out! I find foundation really helps get any lip color to pop!
chita
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
I have a maroon and dark purple lipstick. what eye makeup go best w/ them?
oh and thank u so much fot the tutorial, I always afraid trying red on lip, but no more.
Christine
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Try cool pink or purple eyes, but also just soft golds or neutrals. If they’re really dark, go light on the eyes.
Leila
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Lucky you, you’ve got great lips! I on the other hand do not. They’re small and I’ve noticed my upper lip is a bit skinnier than my bottom lip. I’ve heard that if you have small lips then it’s better not to use bold colors like red…is it true? Oh I certainly hope not because red is the only color I use. I’ve tried every other color but before I leave the house, I wipe it off and replace it with my red lips again…
Christine
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Eh, don’t listen to that, Leila! If YOU like it… wear it. Red lips are about confidence — not lip size.
Leila
Saturday, November 14, 2009
You’re absolutely right! & all I ever get is compliments about my lips so why not? Thanks Christine! <3
Christine
Saturday, November 14, 2009
EXACTLY :) Case in point: my boyfriend HATES red lips–period. But whenever I wear them & post on the blog, y’all tell me I look fab, LOL. So I ignore him ;)
Leila
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Ugh, men! ;) They just don’t understand. Red lips are classy and it’s all I ever plan to wear from now on…regardless what my future partner might want lol!
Christine
Monday, November 16, 2009
Yay!! :D
Rebecca
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Aww your so cute! Thankyou for the wonderful tutorial!
Christine
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thanks, Rebecca!