From Marilyn Monroe to Taylor Swift, retro red lips are back again – here’s how to choose the right shade

“There is a shade of red for every woman,” Audrey Hepburn once said. “I got that red lip classic thing that you like,” Taylor Swift sang on Style. Decades apart, these women know the power of rocking a bold red lipstick.
 

THE ORIGINS OF THE RED LIPS PHENOMENON

More than just a dab of colour, the red lips look is a powerhouse statement that symbolises everything from sensuality to confidence.

Some say it all began with ancient Sumerian and Mesopotamian women, who smashed red rocks to decorate their pouts. Or perhaps it was the Egyptians, who mixed crushed insect shells, flowers and fish scales into a bright red waxy paste for royalty such as Cleopatra.

Fast forward to the Elizabethan era and Queen Elizabeth I's penchant for crimson lips against alabaster skin in the 16th century, then conversely, Queen Victoria's decree in the late 1800's that make-up was "vulgar".

But as the 20th century rolled around, red lipstick took on a larger, more formidable meaning. In 1912, as thousands of suffragettes and their supporters marched past the New York salon of women's rights supporter and beauty business owner Elizabeth Arden, she handed out tubes of bright red lipstick to the marching women. Their scarlet lips were a sign of rebellion, liberation and strength, known for being able to shock men.

THE HOLLYWOOD ERA

What followed after was a long list of iconic women who glamorised the red lip and brought it to the forefront of pop culture. There was flapper queen Clara Bow's audacious cupid's bow in black and white movies in the roaring 1920s, and World War II's 'Rosie the Riveters', women who took over the jobs of men who had gone to war and wore red lipstick to show resilience and courage.

And thanks to a sexy brigade of bombshells like Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, and Jayne Mansfield, who favoured red on their pillowy puckers, bold red lips are seared into our collective consciousness as worn by females who are sexy, confident and powerful.

RETRO RED LIPS IN MODERN POP CULTURE

Modern-day actresses, rock stars and pop divas all employ the red lip on occasion, whether it's on stage, screen or the red carpet, and some in particular have made the retro red lip a hallmark of their look.

Contemporary pioneers such as Dita Von Teese and Gwen Stefani are rarely seen in public without a blindingly bright red pout. Younger stars like Rihanna and Taylor Swift are also known for their signature red lips, and the fact that these personalities are beacons of feminine power and success have only cemented the popularity of a bold, scarlet lip.   

THE DOS AND DON'TS OF ROCKING A RED LIPSTICK

We get it, wearing red lipstick can be intimidating. It’s so bold and attention-grabbing that any mistakes and smudges would be glaringly obvious. So how does Taylor Swift’s bright red lipstick last all through a three-and-a-half hour concert, and stay and slay even after passionately kissing her man after he wins the Super Bowl?

THE DOS

1. Find the correct shade for your skin tone

Look at your undertones. Cooler skin tones will look good with rock blue-based reds, while warmer skin tones will suit orange-based reds. Neutral undertones go both ways. But the ultimate test is swatching different hues on your lips (not just your hand!) to see how they complement your complexion and if you love the look. 

2. Prep your lips for long-lasting success

Before applying lippie, ensure that lips are exfoliated and moisturised. Prime with lip primer to create a smooth canvas, filling in lines and preventing the lipstick from bleeding. Outline with a red lip liner for a neat, polished look.

3. Layer it on and dust to make it last

For longevity, apply lip colour in layers. A brush can offer precision and an even coat. Remember to clean up the colour that runs over the edges of your lips with a cotton bud. Blot with tissue between applications to remove excess. As a last step, lightly dust translucent powder over tissue to set the lipstick. The last thing you want is for your bold red lip colour to slip and slide all over your smackers. Remember that matte or cream formulas usually last longer than glossy finishes.

THE DON’TS

1. Overdo the look

With red lipstick being the centrepiece, don’t overdo the rest of your make-up. Keep colours on your eyes and cheeks muted to avoid looking OTT. That said, more than one red lip-loving diva has been known to go all out with the make-up and still look fabulous. 

2. Be careless with your red lippie

No matter how careful you are with its application, lipstick can smudge after eating, drinking or even talking. And a smudged red lip is at least three times more disastrous than a smudged neutral lip. Don’t forget to blot the inside of your lips after application to make sure the colour doesn’t rub off on your teeth, and eat and drink carefully when you’re rocking a bright red. 

3. Wear your statement red lip without confidence

Confidence is key when wearing red lipstick. It's a statement that says you're bold and unafraid to be noticed. Don't shy away from making that statement, and rock it with aplomb and style.

UNIVERSALLY FLATTERING RED LIPPIES TO TRY

With countless shades and undertones, finding the perfect red can be daunting. But certain tried-and-true reds have captured the imagination and lips of millions.

Classic Reds

The timeless classic reds evoke the essence of Hollywood's Golden Age. Examples are MAC’s blue-toned Ruby Woo Retro Matte Lipstick and Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red, which have become perennial faves, prized for their rich pigmentation and matte finish.

High-Fashion Reds

Try Dior’s Rouge Dior Long Wear Refillable Lipstick in 999 Velvet for a textured and velvety finish, or Chanel’s most popular lippie, the Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in 444 Gabrielle, a vibrant red that flatters a wide range of skin tones and has a creamy and hydrating, yet long-lasting formula. 

Experimental Reds

How about this one favoured by Taylor Swift, the Nars Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl? The slightly pinkish hue offers a twist on the classic red, and the pencil applicator with a velvety finish means it’s easy to keep things nice and neat. For a K-pop vibe, try Hera’s Sensual Fitting Glow Tint in 79 Charmed. It’s a glossy lip tint with a buildable texture that delivers a vivid red hue and lips that look just-bitten.