Inspired by Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in Rapid Ruby.
We know rules are made to be broken and being experimental with your makeup is half the fun of wearing it, but there are some well versed guidelines for choosing the right red lipstick for you. Find The One and it's your ticket to wearing this classic colour with confidence without feeling clowny – we've all been there!
First you need to identify your skin tone to reveal what will work with your complexion. Look at the veins on your wrists: If they're mostly blue and purple you have a cool undertone, if they are mostly green you have a warm undertone, if they are a mix of both you have a neutral undertone.
So, those with cool tones (think pale, porcelain skin) go for a lipstick with a blue base. Warm undertones (i.e. olive or yellowy complexions) should look to orangy-red shades and if you're dark skinned try either, or look out for a pink-based red which could look stunning.
And remember - 'true red' lipsticks should complement all colourings. Hurrah!
Match your colour to a similar nail shade, like the timeless Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in Rapid Ruby, and you've got one red hot beauty look perfect for date nights.
These are how 4 'true red' lipsticks look on different skin tones:
Bridget March is the Multiplatform Beauty Birector at Harper’s Bazaar, overseeing all beauty and wellbeing content on the UK website and YouTube channel.
From news and interviews to tutorials and treatment reviews, she answers the beauty questions you’re searching for with expert advice (see the renowned #SkinSchool franchise for evidence), taking deep dives into the latest trends (from polynucleotides to Profhilo), and sharing the products A-listers really use (via the ‘Inside my beauty bag’ video series).
Bridget has written for various brands within the Hearst portfolio and beyond, and was formerly Digital Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan. She lives with her husband and two sons (plus a baby on the way!) in the Cotswolds.
Follow Bridget on Instagram @bridgetmarch
