Red Holiday Lip Look Inspired by Elle Magazine's May 2022 Cover

jancynbindman
Dec 1, 2022
3 min read

As usual with these things it is fun to take a cover image and try to recreate it especially if it applicable to everyday life. The look on the cover of Elle, featuring Rachel Zelgar, was breathtaking. It reminded me so much of the Audrey Hepburn look I did in October from How to Steal a Million, but updated and modern. I love that she's not wearing liner and the makeup artist really went for it with her brows and highlighting her bone structure. In this tutorial I am adapting the look for everyday or party makeup sans lace veil and fabulous hat.

WHERE TO WEAR THIS LOOK

This look would be great for everyday if you're a lip gal, or for any holiday party that you attend. I'm personally trying to push myself to wear more red lips this holiday season because it truly does perk up the face and adds so much impact without too much fuss. You could go even less on the eyes, but I basically used two shadows and a liner so the look is very fuss free. People will see your face and not your makeup. Very French chic.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Whenever you wear a red lip it is important that you consider the following:

-Are you going to be eating oily foods?

-Do you find your lipstick travels?

-Do you have dry lips?

-Are you a bride and will be kissing your husband/partner to be?

When shopping for a red lip these are very important questions. Oils will break down any lipstick quicker than you can finish your food and then you've got a mess on your hands, lips, and possibly face. So if you're going to wear this to a holiday party pick a red lip that is more matte and has staying power, or powder on top and really watch your food selection.

If your lipstick travels, a red lip will also travel. Again find something a little drier instead of glossy. The glossier something is the more it will travel and less time it will last. You can also invest in a matching lip pencil or lip primer. Nars makes a nice one, though I would personally prefer a lip pencil.

If you have dry lips then I recommend really conditioning your lips beforehand and doing what Marilyn Monroe's makeup artist did when she wore a red lip. Layer, blot, layer, blot, etc. I read an article once stating that her makeup artist would do up to 10 rounds of layer and blotting before sending her on stage to make sure the red color stayed true no matter what she was doing.

If you are a bride who wants to wear a red lip, please make sure you check with you partner to be. You've (hopefully) kissed before, so they should be used to your lipstick colors of choice. If this is a new one for the both of you, it is important that you see which formula works the best and that you have a conversation with your makeup artist beforehand about it. You will probably end up going for a drier formula and a red gloss to keep the look up throughout the day, or the Marilyn Monroe method.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON RED LIPS

There truly is a red lip for everyone. There are millions (thousands?) of options from Drugstore to luxury. I've personally never been happy with drugstore lipsticks, but that's just me. When pigment is concerned I always spend a bit more for quality. Figure out if you're a blue or orange toned red lip gal before the event. You don't want to arrive feeling off your game because you didn't do your due diligence.

Enjoy the tutorial and your red lips this holiday season!