Red Rouge: the Drugstore Red Lip

 

Around this time last year, I wrote a post about my favourite high-end lipstick NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square and recently I have discovered a cheaper red alternative. Compared to the orange tones of Red Square, this is a darker and perhaps more striking look for around half the price.

I used to underestimate the power of lip liner, but when my housemate purchased Rimmel's Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in Red Diva, I was curious to see if it would work. I had decided that I would be wearing my L'oreal Paris Color Riche in Liya's Pure Red lipstick for my graduation ball, and so I was hoping that this liner would increase the longevity of the lip colour, as well as allow me to apply the lipstick with more precision. This lip liner certainly delivered and was a great match for the shade of the lipstick, as a lip liner should always be slightly darker than the lipstick it is paired with. Both products are highly pigmented and have a quality of pink within them. The lip liner is fairly thick in its consistency, but I find that this provides a get base for the lighter formulated lipstick. With the liner in wind-up packaging, it saves the hassle of using a sharpener and as the nib is so thin there is no need for one.  Despite multiple uses, the lipstick has kept its slanted shape, and I find that this is at the pefect angle to hug the lips and give full coverage of colour.

As the look is quite a striking one, I tend to reserve it for the evening and with more attention on the lips, preparation is essential to gain a flawless finish. Lush's Lip Scrub in Bubblegum is my go-to scrub to remove any flakes or uneveness to the lips, and to follow I mositurise with the classic Carmex Lip Balm. Once this has dried, I carefully draw an outline of the lip with the liner and then fill in the rest of this using the wind-up pencil - but you could also use a lip brush here. After blotting away excess product, I then apply the lipstick to the edges of the line before blotting, reapplying and then blotting once again. If find your lips to be especially dry, apply extra lip balm between applications and blot this, as this will help for a smoother application. For extra longevity, apply translucent powder to the paper you blot the last layer of lipstick on to.

Have you tried any of these lip products? What is your favourite lipstick from the high-street or high-end of the beauty market?

Charlotte x