Red Hot Wedding Makeup

Could there be a hotter lipstick shade than red right now? Um ... not really. It's practically a "must" for every starlet on the red carpet as well as being de rigueur on the runways. Even Gwyneth Paltrow said, "Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." Nice one Gwynnie.

Obviously though, we've all heard you should play things safe when it comes to wedding makeup and hair, and from the "your pictures are going to be around forever" perspective, that's definitely true. (Your wedding day is not the right occasion for disco glitter.) However, the red lip trend is one you can easily embrace without it turning into a decade-telling faux pas. Red lipstick is makeup's equivalent to the little black dress. (Read: A classic.) But is it appropriate for your wedding makeup look? You bet.

"Red lipstick never goes out of makeup fashion and everybody can wear it," says Jane Choi, celebrity makeup artist. There are such a variety of shades that it simply comes down to finding the one that best flatters your skin tone. "Choosing the right shade can really liven up your face and make your eyes sparkle," she says. Who doesn't want that?

If your skin is pale, use a shade with a blue undertone, says Choi. Deep red colors with brown or tawny bases look fantastic on medium skin tones, and darker skin tones look amazing in strong, pinkish-based fuchsias or orange-based poppy reds, she says.

If you do decide to rock a red lip, make sure you keep the rest of your makeup subtle, says Choi. "Red lipstick has enough attitude on its own." Keep blush neutral, and try a simple beige shimmery eye shadow and black mascara, she says.

So once you find the right shade, how do you apply it so that you don't look like Courtney Love on a bad day? Follow Choi's easy steps:

Step 1: Exfoliate. Smoother lips make for more lush, even-looking color. Use an old toothbrush to buff off dead skin.

Step 2: Add a bit of lip balm for added moisture.

Step 3: Apply a light layer of foundation to your lips. Allow it to dry for a few seconds then dust lips with a thin layer of powder.

Step 4: Line and fill in your lips with a red liner that matches your lipstick perfectly. This prevents bleeding and keeps the color looking even as the lipstick wears off.

Step 5: Apply your lipstick with a lip brush. Start at the center and blend out toward the edges. (This keeps you from applying too much.)

Step 6: Blot lips with a tissue.

Step 7: Add a second layer of lipstick for long-lasting color.

Step 8: Put your index finger into your mouth and slide it out with lips pursed around it. Sounds weird, but any lipstick on the inner lip wall will come off on your finger, not your teeth.

Choi's top three red lipstick picks:

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red, $14.50 is a phenomenally rich and long lasting, dark red, matte shade, says Choi. Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani in Hollywood Red, $30 is a vivid red that feels amazingly light and sheer and
Nars Lipstick in Jungle Red, $24 has an amazing long-lasting formula with a semi matte texture.



















Still not sure if red lipstick is for you? Try Chelsea Clinton's wedding makeup look instead.

(Beauty shot from the Priscilla of Boston Spring 2011 runway show)



By Alison Rowe