Fashion: Red Alert

The timelessness of good lips

Rouge lips are back this fall, catching everyone’s eye from the runway to the red carpet. Supermodel Heidi Klum, pop singer Christina Aguilera and Grey’s Anatomy’s Katherine Heigl opted to paint their pouts red for the Emmys last month. Reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s signature look, rouge lips achieve old-Hollywood glam that still turns heads today. Whether you’re a makeup fanatic or prefer to be au naturel, this look can be achieved without straying too far from your comfort zone.

Matte red lipstick and matching lip liner are most effective for sultry rouge lips. Lipstick has staying power and saves you the hassle of having to constantly reapply. The matte finish also creates a nice effect; too much shine can look overdone, especially with such a bold color. NARS’ Fire Down Below lipstick is a classic red that will work well with any skin tone.

If you’re a lip gloss gal, there are still options to choose from. Just remember that most glosses have the shine you may want to avoid, but if you don’t mind the shine and want your lips to pop, lip gloss is the answer. Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry is a pretty shade of red and the packaging makes it easy to apply. Keep in mind that lip gloss is prone to come off, so reapplication is key!

For those of you who don’t wear a lot of makeup, a more natural solution is also available. A lip stain is subtle and gives the slightest hint of color, and the pigment saturation can be easily controlled with layering. The cult-favorite Benefit Benetint lip and cheek stain is very natural and comes with an attached brush applicator. You only need to use a small amount and smudge it with your finger. Depending on how much you layer it, some people may even think it’s your own lip color.

A luscious red pout is timeless. With eye makeup kept simple (black eyeliner and a sweep of mascara will do), your rouge lips will be the focus of attention. A few minutes of this makeup routine and you’ll be ready for the red carpet…or your company’s holiday party. Who says you need to be a celebrity to be glamorous?

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