Beauty  

National Lipstick Day: Pull Off The Perfect Red Lip

By Odunmorayo Oke

29 July 2024   |   1:24 pm

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In honour of National Lipstick Day, we shall be exploring the history and lasting allure of one of the most iconic staples in makeup - the red lip. The desire to enhance and adore one’s lips has been around for ages. Archeological evidence shows that ancient Egyptians and Greeks experimented with natural dyes and pigments…

In honour of National Lipstick Day, we shall be exploring the history and lasting allure of one of the most iconic staples in makeup – the red lip.

The desire to enhance and adore one’s lips has been around for ages. Archeological evidence shows that ancient Egyptians and Greeks experimented with natural dyes and pigments to colour their lips as far as 5000 years ago. The application of lip colour has been viewed as a symbol of femininity and seduction for women.

Fast forward to the 21st century and red lipstick is now a timeless beauty essential. Although it is now a polarising choice. Why? Because some women view it as unnecessarily attention-grabbing. While some others see it as a bold makeup statement.

If you’re looking to incorporate a red lip into your National Lipstick Day look, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a six-step guide for a flawless application:

1. Exfoliate

Start by gently exfoliating with a lip scrub. This will remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother lips. You can create a do-it-yourself (DIY) lip scrub by mixing sugar with honey and lemon juice and apply on your lips. Ensure to scrub gently and rinse with water.

2. Prime

Apply a lip balm or primer to hydrate your lips. Some nourishing oils to look out for in your lip balm are rosehip oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and so on. Priming your lips will create a long-lasting base for your lipstick.

3. Line your lips

This step is optional but it could amp up the appearance of your red lip. Lip liners accentuate the shape of your lips, giving them more definition. Use a lip liner that is in the shade of your lipstick and trace the cupids bow and curves of your lips.

4. Blot with setting powder

For a longer-lasting lipstick application, it is advised to apply multiple layers of lipstick. After each layer, blot your lips with a tissue and very lightly dust a translucent setting powder to set the colour.

5. Make use of a lip brush

While you can easily freestyle your lipstick application, for more precision, use a lip brush. This will give your red lip a clean look and you can trace your lines better and not miss any spot.

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6. Go for simple makeup

A red lip is already eye-catching enough, you don’t want to do too much by applying bold makeup as well. To balance it out, apply simple makeup so your entire makeup blends seamlessly together. Let your red lips be the focus while the rest of your look is minimal.