April 2, 2015

Sometimes I Like to Wear Red Lipstick Even Though It Makes Me Feel Like A Clown

too faced melted

You know for a really long time I avoided red lipstick like the plague. I always felt like red made me look like as scary as Tim Curry in It. Well, ok, not that bad but more along the lines of Bozo the Clown whom apparently I was totally into as a child according to my mum but I do NOT believe her because dude, clowns scare the lipstick off my face. Do not want.

You know what’s fun about red lipstick?

It actually kinda makes me feel confident and dare I say a LITTLE sexy.

Even though I’m most comfortable parading around my house with it on while doing the dishes and not so much waltzing through the city with it on.

I’m actually a bit of a virgin when it comes to red lipstick. I remember at 16 I had this shade of wine (gosh I wish I could remember the name) lipstick from Revlon that I adored. I’m positive I likely still have a tube because I’m a makeup hoarder. I’m also positive it wasn’t the right shade for me at all but in a sense it was my first venture into red even though it wasn’t quite your traditional red.

I’m still a n00b when it comes to red lipstick though because it’s only been a few years since I started wearing it!

One of the things I’ve learned is it truly is finding the right shade of red for YOU! I’ve used the excuse to many times that red simply doesn’t look good on me and really that’s not the case. And I promise you that when you hear from many different makeup artists and sales assistants that it’s “about finding the right red” it’s true. Never were truer words spoken.

Personally for me, I’ve discovered warmer reds look best on me. I really like brick reds or maroons. Although I’ve been known to sneak a blue based, cherry, or ruby red in!

Bobbi Brown Sultry Red Lipstick fotd

Bobbi Brown Sultry Red Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Sultry Red Lipstick swatches

Bobbi Brown Sultry Red Lipstick

urban decay gash lipstick

Urban Decay Gash Lipstick

Urban Decay Gash Lipstick swatches

Urban Decay Gash Revolution Lipstick

Missha Belle Epoque Fatal Aura fotd

Missha Signature Glam Art Rouge SRD704

Missha Signature Glam Art Rouge SRD704 swatches

Missha Signature Glam Art Rouge in SRD704

mac victoriana fotd

mac victoriana lipstick

MAC Victoriana Lipstick

Don’t spend your life thinking red lipstick isn’t for you as you’ll be missing out on one of your makeup life’s greatest joys. If you haven’t find your red yet, don’t give up! It’s out there, waiting for you to discover it, and wear it while walking down the street on a busy day while flicking your hair or maybe just while walking the dog…

Don’t live your makeup life feeling like a clown in red lipstick.

You can do it.

What’s your favorite red lipstick that empowers confidence and sexiness in you?

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Heidi

    Love the way Gash looks on you. I have always loved red lipsticks, especially deep reds and brick reds, and remember loving one I’d found for a buck in high school (back in the late ’80s and early ’90s) and wearing the hell out of it.
    I love to wear them most when I want to feel strong, though I think a great red is sexy, too.
    My favorites are NYX’s Alabama and Revlon’s (now discontinued) matte, In the Red. Maybelline’s Burgundy Beauty is also fantastic. Revlon’s ColorBurst Balm Stain in Romantic is another favorite, though that’s not as potent a red. I still find it so pretty. I have many more, but those are the ones I go to the most.
    Can you tell I’m obsessed?

    • Isabella Muse

      thanks heidi you’re too kind 🙂 haha! now I’m going to track down these shades you listed!

  • Dee

    You are made for red lipstick! All of these look great but I especially like the Missha one. I don’t have a favorite for myself as I don’t think I wear them so well. But maybe I’ll try after reading your post.

    • Isabella Muse

      dee you MUST find at least one red to love 🙂 I’ve always been scared of red but when you find the right one it is mind blowing 🙂 aw thanks chica 🙂 you’re too kind!

    • Maggie

      I love the Missha one on you too! I think I might want to haul for myself. Is it scented?

      I think all the red’s look great on you–I never would have known you were ever red-shy after seeing all your lippie reviews and seeing photos of you wearing tons of different colors/finishes.

      I actually always get lingering looks when I wear bold lips and it makes sense for my town–people are more “classic,” “neutrals” or “natural” around my locale, so a mere bold lip is a bit different. I know they’re thinking some variation of “too much” whether it be too bright, too dramatic, too hot, etc. Sometimes, I get that told to my face: “That’s bright.” My response? “THAT’S the idea!” Or, “too much for daytime.” And then I say, “It’s beautiful in sunlight.”

  • Miradan

    I love love LOVE red lipsticks, but it’s definitely about finding the right one, which is the only thing that keeps my stash of them relatively small (lipstick in general is my crack). My current favorite is Estee Lauder Emotional, gorgeous color and a great formula, brightens up my face and makes me happy. My long-time best red is Bobbi Brown Raisin, which is more of a brown-red.

  • kim

    What a coincidence…I decided to rock a red lip today for the first time in months! I use tarte power pigment in natural beauty. to off set it, and hopefully make it office appropriate, I did a really simple matte eye, and a light dusting of bronzer in place of blush.

    • Isabella Muse

      you sound very beautiful today Kim! and natural too 🙂

  • Heather F.

    You look *gorgeous* in all of the above lipsticks–not clownlike in the least. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re feeling more comfortable with red! Red lipstick is my favorite, and I wholeheartedly agree that every woman can wear red.

    My own perfect red is OCC’s NSFW. My husband’s seen me wear many shades, yet the day I put on NSFW he just said said “Wow. You look… Wow. Yeah, that one is a keeper.” I have neutral (maybe sliiiiightly warm) undertones with pink overtones when my skin is angry, and this one perfectly walks the line between warm and cool. Gosh, I love NSFW.

    My runners-up (because Lip Tar can be fussy to apply and I’m lazy) are Revlon’s Balm Stain in Romance and Nivea’s Kiss of Flavor Cherry. Since both of them have more of a translucent finish, I feel like they’re a little easier to wear without being all “Hey everyone! I’m wearing red lipstick today!”

  • Staci

    I’m also afraid to wear reds. I got NARS cruella with my Sephora birthday gift. I thought it looked really pretty when I put it on, but my husband told me I looked like the Joker. It did not boost my red wearing confidence.

    • Isabella Muse

      staci, that’s a loud one dear! I doubt you looked like the joker! Don’t worry! There is a red out there for everyone Staci! You just have to find yours 🙂

  • reen

    u look great in all lip colors! I am way to scared to do a red lip myself….but now I am starting to wear orange based reds and corals, and I am loving it!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thank you reen! DON’T be scared 🙂 get out there and just do it!

  • reen

    I find, when a bold lipstick shade is too intimidating to wear, I layer it with another neutral lipstick…and it looks good! or even topping it with a nude lipstick helps to make those “bold” shades more wearable.

  • Christina

    I’m too scared to wear red, though I’ve been tested a few shades out lately. You are so right about finding the right red for your. You just know when the color doesn’t work for your complexion, but man is finding the right one hard. More often than not, I get funny looks from my husband, and that’s when I know, “nope, not for me!” LOL!

    • Isabella Muse

      It is indeed! Very hard! but it’s fun looking that’s for sure!

  • denni

    you look so pretty in red!!! I really liked the last one on you. I started wearing red all the time recently after spending my whole life not wearing it. I just put it on and leave the house before I can re-think it. I feel damn good. And if somebody looks at me funny… I just assume they’re jealous 😉

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks denni! you’re too kind! LOL good for YOU! that’s the spirit!

  • Armi

    I’ve been following your blog for a while but never posted anything until now. Red lipstick is my favorite color of all. I am an Asian/Pacific Islander woman with black hair and light skin so I am able to get away with wearing most shades of red lipstick. Most days, red lipstick is all I can manage in terms of makeup. I have to say it’s become my signature color at work. I apply red lipstick when somebody gets me mad at work or when I just need a pick me up. I have to say you need a little bit of courage to wear red lipstick the first few times you wear it outside the house. But once you get used to the attention and the confidence it gives you, you’ll never go back. Maybe sometimes!!! 😍😄 the people at my work actually look for it when I don’t wear my red lipstick sometimes. My favorite right now is the Revlon Ultra HD lipstick in Gladiolus.

    • Isabella Muse

      Armi, you are a very lucky girl as I think that Asian women with lighter skin/black hair always look amazing in every single of shade red 🙂 You sound very confident in your red lipstick Armi 🙂 good for YOU! Now I have to leave and go see what Gladiolus looks like 😀 I don’t like the Revlon HD formula but I don’t think I’ve seen that red (or have I? I can’t recall which shades I own haha) and will have to look it up!

      • Armi

        It’s really more of an orangey red color that gives your face almost a coral glow. I saw this in a magazine and also in Walgreens. So I figured I’ll try it and I’ve been loving it since. It’s the lipstick Emma Stone wore to the Oscars.

  • Cindy

    Red is my “thing.” I’m VERY fair so years ago I only wore red or deep wines (think Gash UD lip gloss in the 90’s or Clinique Vintage Wine) when I was going out. Then I thought “why do I only get to wear dark or bright colors at night? F that!” And I started wearing them all day, every day. My first red was MAC Viva Glam I, which is more of a brick red than I wear now. I mostly wear red every. single. day. now. Favorites are MAC Ruby Woo, RiRi Woo, Butter London Come To Bed Red, Kat Von D Underage Red, NARS Dragon Girl, MAC Love Goddess, UD F-Bomb, UD 69, Illamasqua Box, MAC Gesina, and Clinique Matte Crimson. I used to wear Clinique Angel Red as a “Saturday red” because it was more sheer/casual to me. I also used to wear Clinique Rich Cherry and was devastated when it was discontinued! Now if I’m not wearing red or bright lipstick, I’m like “where are my lips?” and I feel like nude or light colors just wash me out! I also like the bright neon pinks like MAC Candy Yum Yum, Impassioned, Kelly Yum Yum, Pink Pigeon (LOVE Pink Pigeon), NARS Schiap, UD Anarchy, and bright red-oranges like NARS Heat Wave. Muse, you look fab in red, just go for it!!! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      damn Cin! you have a lot of cool reds 😀 hehe! Aw thanks! I always feel like a clown in it but…well I am kinda feeling good in red today 🙂

      • Cindy

        I have a red lipstick problem, LOL! Actually, I have a lipstick problem in general . . . . haha! The rest of my makeup on my face can stay the same forever, but lipstick colors can always change!! 🙂

  • JJ24

    For the longest time I hated red and swore i’d never wear it, because I was thinking about orange red for when I was little. Then after I realized that there is tons of different red I used the excuse of it won’t look good on me. That change when I got MAC So Scarlet for christmas and realized how good it looked. Now red is one of my favorite shades and I really don’t know if I can pick just one. So Scarlet would be my fav but it was limited. I guess my top two are NARS Jungle Red and Urban Decay F-Bomb.

    PS Gash looks good on you(the others do to but I like Gash the best)

    • Isabella Muse

      I wonder if I have So Scarlet now…gotta shop my own stash hehe! Aw thanks JJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you’re too kind!

  • suri

    Hi Muse! You are beautiful as always, I think Gash and the Missha shade look super amazing on you! Have you ever tried the Nars pencils in Cruella or Dragon girl? And Chanel Palpitante or Revlon’s cherries in the snow would also look faboosh on you!

    • Isabella Muse

      OH MY GOD Suri! haha funny you said Cherries in the Snow. Last year (I think last year) they did the relaunch of those older shades but I didn’t pick it up because I thought it wasn’t really “my red” now I regret it. Is it gone for good? I have not tried Cruella or Dragon Girl so will have to check those out. And thank Suri, you’re very kind <3!

  • Angela

    I think it’s interesting that of the people who commented, everyone has a different opinion on what looks good on you (i personally thought the bobbi brown one was fantastic). We’re all probably biased. I think all of them look terrific on you. It definitely takes nerve walking out the door with super vibrant lips. I think it was a couple years ago the “perfect” red lip was a trend, and I found myself seeking my own out. I remember trying one on – a lancome one, which is a lovely lipstick but not perfect for me – and then going to Walmart for diapers or something. I definitely felt out of place, LOL – like all eyes were on my lips which I truly believed entered the building before me. Just last night, I stopped into a local drugstore and discovered what i think is my perfect red…by Essence, of all brands!! I got 04 – On the Catwalk from their newer ‘longlasting lipstick’ line. No orangey tone, not too blue (my lips LOVE to turn lipsticks fuschia) and not super vibrant but it seems beautifully opaque. My dear Muse, it is very difficult to review a lipstick in the company of a pro, so forgive me or being so inarticulate, LOL!! Anyways, it’s my first day wearing it so hopefully it will be a keeper, otherwise I’ll have to find a better quality dupe. I loathe the dreaded lip “ring”…and it’s nearly lunchtime so it’ll put this stuff to the test!

    • Isabella Muse

      Angela, I’m just shocked no one said “EW! You look like a clown!” haha 🙂 but thank you, you are far to generous and kind in your compliment 🙂 <3! It does indeed! It really is a product that can make or break you because you walk out of the house thinking "I'm so HOOOTT" and people start kinda looking at you oddly so you question are they looking at you that way because they think it looks good or are they thinking "Oh my god that looks horrible!". I don't care! I say wear it to Walmart angela because you'll be the most fabulous girl in the store 🙂 Oh yes! I love those! and so cheap! I reviewed those recently so great 😀 glad you discovered them! haha I AM SO NOT A PRO! but I love you for saying that hug! 😀 you should be good! they wore long on me and remained nicely moist and stayed vibrant and fresh for quite a few hours. No ring around the mouth 😀

      • Angela

        …running to the store to stock up, especially if they’re Muse approved 🙂 (can’t believe I missed your review on them!! must look to your archives!) Who needs to work anyways….

        • Isabella Muse

          hahahaha 😀 yeah, true, I mean who needs to work when there is makeup 😀

    • Heidi

      I was noticing that, too, that everyone had a different favorite. I’m probably voting (Gash) by what I’d rather wear, too.
      But for those who are shy of reds or think they don’t look right on them, it’s a matter of finding what works for you.

      • Isabella Muse

        AGREED! when you find the right one it just takes things to a new level as you want more and more and more 🙂

  • Jodi

    The reds all look lovely on you! I think that the Revlon lipstick is likely blackberry (I wore it back in the day too)!

    • Isabella Muse

      no no! it actually had wine in the same! I wish it was blackberry but it was wine something or something wine!

      • Autumn

        Was it Wine Not? Because I’m pretty sure I had that shade, and loved it. Btw, that Missha shade looks killer on you, you should wear that all the time.

        • Isabella Muse

          aw thanks autumn! I wanna say that was it but I’m not sure GRRR!

  • blee

    Muse, no matter what shade of red you did you looked wonderful in them ALL! Im a fan of cool reds. But that’s just because it makes my teeth look so white 🙂

  • Kimmwc03

    I’ve been trying to break out of my comfort zone and wear red lips more often. I think Revlon’s Cherries in the Snow is my favorite on me. I think pink-based reds and coral-reds are the ones that look best on me. I have Gash but I do not think that shade flatters me as well as it does you, Isabella. That Missha one is gorgeous.

    • Isabella Muse

      same here Kim! I kinda just gave in to it 😀 aw thank you very very much!

  • Lace

    I love Gash! I wish it would stay around all the time instead of being limited 🙁 I ordered one for myself after trying a small sample size from the recent holiday sets. Glad I did because it’s one of the few reds I can wear and feel good in. Some reds to me are just too bright 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      ME TOO! great red! 🙂 I’m glad you got in on the full size Lace!

  • Ruth

    I adore red lippies! there comes a time in every lippie wearers life where they just have to slap it on and walk out the door! I’m glad that you’ve done it because Is, you look smokin’! most of my lippie collection are different shades of red and no one can tell me they’re the same! the red that I’m still hoping to add the stash is Frank-N-Furter, I keep stalking the CCO in hopes they get it. I know it’s pretty much the same as Russian Red (it’s not!), but I want it anyway =D

    • Isabella Muse

      I agree Ruth! You kinda have to apply it, don’t look in the mirror, and hold your head up while walking out the door 😀 <3! I hearts ya 🙂 You aren't missing much, hate to kill the lem, I thought the RHPS shades were a LITTLE dry!

      • Ruth

        <3 you back sweetie! no way, really? that kinda sucks. I guess that I'll just love my Russian Red in the Wonder Woman tube. Yeah, I still have it and use it; it's fine.

    • Isabella Muse

      you are too kind and generous with your compliments thanks Rachel 🙂

  • Icequeen81

    What are you talking about? why a clown, I mean you have a great skin and hair color that works wonderful with red lipstick nothing screams more vintage that a porcelain white skin and pitch black hair.

  • Tammie

    IMO Everybody can wear red they just have to find the right shade! I used to be scared of red, now the brighter the better…red is my signature lip color! My style icon is Snow White lol

    • Tammie

      PS. I think my skin tone is pretty neutral so I can wear either, but I prefer bright blue-based reds, I can wear warmer reds though as long as they aren’t TOO orange.

    • Zovesta

      Snow White is a timeless beauty, and the prettiest Disney princess IMO. Rock it!

  • Carolyn

    Y’all making me want to bust out and get with the Reds. Got a lot of ideas from the suggestions above…and I love me some blue-based anything.

    Isabella Muse…you look great in reds. I do like the hash, but the strawberry in too faced looks great on u too

  • Katherine T.

    Oh, I love red lipsticks. Yes, I agree there is a red for everybody. My favorites are the dark burgundy reds and the brown brick reds (so glad this is the year of Marsala) and I’ve been getting into coral reds too.

  • Angel

    Ah, red lips. Could wax poetic about them all day. Happy to see you’re rocking the reds Muse!

    My all time faves are MAC Russian Red and MAC Ruby Woo. Russian Red was my gateway drug and I’ve never looked back.

  • Hez

    I love reds and I love YOU in red lips Musey .. you have sold me many a red lipstick!! lol I do worry about myself as far as aging .. when should I cut it off? Does it age me? But I can’t give it up yet!! It’s too fun.

    • Isabella Muse

      rock IT no matter your age hez 🙂 and thank you dear!

  • Zovesta

    Those all look really pretty on you, but Missha Signature Glam Art Rouge in SRD704 is so stunning!

    Oh man, reds. I first started wearing lipstick when I was 11, and back then the only two colours I wore were DARK brown and DARK purple. (I still own the super dark purple!) Nowadays I’m all about reds, but I run into the same problem I have with red nail polish: it’s all too light, and too pink. A dark brick red is the only way to go for me. After years of searching, I’ve found the holy grail in both respects, with Revlon 130 Velvet Rope for nail polish and NYC 308 Retro Red (it’s actually a bit darker than it looks!) for lipstick. Sometimes even 308 fails me, though, and I can blend it with this one lipstick (uhh… they’re not labelled and I can’t remember the name of it when I picked it up :'( ) from KOCO lipsticks that is a super dark red, closer to black than Dorito bag colour.

    • Zovesta

      Finally figured out which one it is. It’s KOCO’s Que Syrah, Syrah. On another note, recently discovered that Wet n Wild’s Cherry Bomb applied, blotted off, and then Stoplight Red applied over is the exact colour I’ve been looking for for years. Daaaang!

      • Isabella Muse

        wait is spotlight red one of the wnw shades?! lol now I wanna try it!

        • Zovesta

          It certainly is! Too light on its own for me, a real blood red, and Cherry Bomb is too dark, but together they’re stunning. @_@

          • Isabella Muse

            omg sounds lovely 😀 will try!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Shaina

    My favorite red lipstick is from the Maybelline matte collection in siren in scarlet. Wet n Wild’s stoplight red is also fantastic, especially for the price! And when I’m feeling fancy I wear Estėe Lauder’s lipstick in carnal.

    • Isabella Muse

      gonna check out stoplight red that name just sounds lovely!

  • Joana Vanessa Castro

    Hello Isabella. I LOOOOOOOOOVEEEEEE your content. You look super cute. Keep making yourself totally fabulous =). May life always show a smile to you.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw Joana thank you so much! That made my day 🙂 Thank you very much!