Red Lip Holiday Makeup ft. Aliciafashionista

I still remember the first time I wore a red lip. I was in New York going to a show with my family and I decided I wanted to try a red lip. I then immediately decided I couldn't pull it off and stressed over the decision for way too long. I remember putting on the red lipstick and then taking a handful of photos of myself to see how ridiculous I looked. Maybe it was the magic of the Big Apple but I took the plunge and wore my new lipstick out in public and I remember waiting for people to outright make fun of me for attempting such a bold makeup choice. Obviously no one cared, no one I knew even noticed I was wearing something different and I'm pretty sure no one was looking at me at all. It was New York. I could have worn a Halloween costume  and I doubt anyone would have blinked twice.

I’m glad I finally gave my red lipstick tube some time to shine because now I love a red lip. I was so sure that everyone would notice and laugh at me for not being cool to pull it off but as always, no one cared about what I was wearing as much as I assumed they would. (Apparently the world doesn’t revolve around my choice of lipstick... who knew?)  If you're someone who has been wanting to try a red lip but you’re at all nervous, I think the holidays are a great time to start!

I am not an expert so I am not going to give a tutorial, but a few preferences I have when wearing a red lip are: I like to keep my eyes simple. Sometimes I'll go for a vintage look with bold black liner but usually I'll just keep my eyes really subtle. With this look I put a tiny bit of light gold shimmer eyeshadow on my lids to give it a holiday look. I don't like a rosy cheek if my lips are a bold colour. I add colour to my face with some bronzer (not a beachy bronzer look) and the tiniest bit of blush to add some life. I always wear a lip liner with my red lips. I am 35 and I've definitely noticed over the last handful of years that my lipstick bleeds if I'm not wearing liner. I also find it really helps with the longevity of my red lip. 

 I personally prefer a satin finish to my lipsticks versus a mat lip. I have tried a few mat options because they don't transfer and it's easier when I'm around Thomas but I just don't like them as much. I just don't wear a red lip when I'm out with him and save it for times when I'm baby free. Smashbox has a great matte red lip (in the colour Bawse) if you're wanting to try something mat that doesn't transfer at all.

Products I'm wearing for this look

Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer

Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation in the colour 1.1

Benefit Boi-ing Brightening Concealer in the colour 2

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in the colour light

Cargo HD Pressed Powder in the colour 10

Contour, blush, eyeliner and eyeshadows are all from this palette

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in the colour Navigate

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in the colour Carnation Pink

Tarte Amazonian Clay Eyeshadows in the  colours Trinket and Craft 

Tarte Sex Kitten Eyeliner

YSL The Shock Mascara 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel 

Annabelle Stay Sharp Lip Liner in the colour Glam Red

Mac Amplified Heartless Lipstick (unfortunately it's discontinued) but this lipstick in the colour everyday diva looks great!

Nars Velvet Lip Glide in the colour Poppy Red

Remember that gorgeous cousin of mine? She also put together a holiday look using a bold red lip and as usual she looks absolutely stunning. To see the products she used to put her look together head over to her blog.