How to Wear Red Lipstick with a Formal Dress

Red lipstick is a classic and timeless beauty statement that can instantly elevate your look and make you feel glamorous. However, it can also be tricky to pull off, especially if you’re not used to wearing bold colors on your lips. You don’t want to end up looking like a clown or a vampire, do you?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you how to wear red lipstick with a formal dress and make it work for your prom night. We’ll also share some tips and tricks on how to choose the right shade of red, how to apply it flawlessly, and how to make it last all night long. Follow these simple dos and don’ts, and you’ll be able to rock red lips like a pro!

Do: Pair Red Lipstick with Bold Colors

One way to make your red lips stand out is to pair them with bold colors that complement them. For example, blues, golds, or a red that’s the exact hue of your lip color all look stunning with matte red lips. These colors create a contrast that draws attention to your lips and makes them pop.

Red lipstick also works well with black dresses, as it adds a touch of sophistication to your outfit. Black and red are a classic combination that never goes out of style. Just make sure to accessorize with some sparkly jewelry or a statement clutch to avoid looking too plain.

Do: Pair Red Lipstick with Soft, Neutral Colors

Another way to wear red lipstick with a formal dress is to pair it with soft, neutral colors that balance it out. For example, pale yellow, light pink, beige, and white all work well with red lipstick. These colors create a harmony that makes your look more elegant and refined.

A great example of this is Taylor Swift, who often wears red lipstick with soft, neutral colors. Here, she uses a red lipstick to complement her peach dress. She looks fresh and chic, don’t you think?

Taylor Swift Red Lipstick Peach Dress
Taylor Swift Wearing Red Lipstick / Source: Alamy

Do: Soften Your Eye Makeup

When you’re wearing red lipstick, you want to keep your eye makeup simple and soft. This way, you avoid looking overdone or competing with your lips. Stick with black or brown mascara and light-colored eyeshadow, such as gold, champagne, or nude. These colors will enhance your eyes without overpowering them.

If you must use eyeliner, use it very, very lightly and only on the top lids. Better yet, swap the black eyeliner for brown, as it looks more natural and less harsh. You can also use a white or nude pencil on your lower waterline to make your eyes look bigger and brighter.

Do: Experiment with Different Shades of Red

Red lipstick comes in many different shades, from bright cherry to deep burgundy. The trick is to find the one that suits your skin tone, hair color, and personal style. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and see what works for you. You might be surprised by how different you look with different reds.

A general rule of thumb is to match the undertone of your lipstick to the undertone of your skin. If you have warm undertones, go for reds that have orange, coral, or brown hues. If you have cool undertones, go for reds that have blue, pink, or purple hues. If you have neutral undertones, you can wear any shade of red.

Skin Undertones, source: Getty
Skin Undertones / Source: Getty

You can also try mixing or layering different shades of red to create a custom color that no one else has. For example, you can apply a darker red on the outer corners of your lips and a lighter red on the center to create a gradient effect. Or, you can apply a gloss over your matte lipstick to add some shine and dimension.

Don’t: Wear Red Lipstick with a Neon or Fluorescent Color Dress

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when wearing red lipstick is to pair it with a neon or fluorescent color dress. This is a recipe for disaster, as it will make you look tacky and garish. Matte and fluorescent are two brights that don’t make a right, and you don’t want to end up hurting your friends’ eyes on the dance floor.

A case in point is Miranda Cosgrove, who made the mistake of pairing red lipstick with a hot pink dress. The results were blinding, and not in a good way.

Miranda Cosgrove / Source: Getty
Miranda Cosgrove / Source: Getty

Don’t: Play Up Your Eyes

Another mistake you can make when wearing red lipstick is to play up your eyes too much. Heavy eyes and lips will make you look overdone and clowny.

Remember that red will draw all the attention to your lips, and you don’t want your eyes fighting with your lips. People won’t know where to look, and you’ll end up looking confused and unbalanced.

Conclusion

Red lipstick is a great way to spice up your prom look and make you feel confident and glamorous. However, it can also be tricky to wear, especially if you’re not used to it. That’s why you need to follow these simple dos and don’ts to make sure you rock red lips like a pro.

To recap, here are the main points to remember:

  • Pair red lipstick with bold colors that complement it, such as blues, golds, or reds.
  • Pair red lipstick with soft, neutral colors that balance it out, such as pale yellow, light pink, beige, or white.
  • Soften your eye makeup and stick with black or brown mascara and light-colored eyeshadow.
  • Experiment with different shades of red and find the one that suits your skin tone, hair color, and personal style.
  • Don’t wear red lipstick with a neon or fluorescent color dress, as it will make you look tacky and cheap.
  • Don’t play up your eyes too much, as it will make you look overdone and clowny.

We hope you found this article helpful and informative. Now go ahead and rock those red lips at prom! You’ll look fabulous, we promise!

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