“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say in any other way — things I had no words for.” — Georgia O’Keeffe
Some statements have greater impact when whispered softly. And such is the case this season when it comes to the loudmouth of all holiday hues. Red makeup may be synonymous with big nights out and all manner of merrymaking, but why not put a creative spin on the paradigm and let the shade’s strength speak through softness. Blur it, buff it, blend it beyond the border.
A translucent wash of monochromatic ruby looks fresh and festive at once — and it’s simpler to create than one might imagine. “Up your radiance with a highlighter, then blend a red lipstick shade across your cheeks, the bridge or your nose, your eyelids and lips — all with a very light touch,” advises makeup artist Aurelia Liansberg. “The look is ‘back from a brisk country walk’. In other words: No need to take the holidays so seriously. A slick of sheer garnet lipgloss heightens the playfulness and “make lips look hydrated and plush,” says the pro.
For those desiring something a bit more saturated, the key to keeping red makeup abstract lies in experimenting with texture. Case in point: the powdery pout seen here. “Modernize a stamped-on red lip by diffusing the edges very slightly,” says Liansberg. Then “tap on some high-pigment powder one shade lighter or darker than your lipstick to add two-tone depth,” she adds. No need to be super precise — true beauty and glamour lie in your own interpretation.
Building Blocks of a Diffused Red Look
