beauty

'I'm a beauty editor with olive skin. These are my go-to red lipsticks.'

This article was originally published on Adore Beauty.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing quite as transformative as a red lip.

The power of red lipstick can instantly take your look from dull to bold and party-ready in an instant.

As someone who avoids colour like the plague, the timeless appeal of a red lip has never been lost on me.

I love its allure, its ability to lift my mood and my outfit — and while a statement red lip can be worn year-round, with spring in full swing I thought it only fitting to share four of my most favourite red lipsticks for olive skin tones.

Watch: The hacks to make your lipstick last. Post continues below.

Personally, I gravitate towards red lipsticks that lean more brown or orange because of my yellow undertone.

But we all know beauty doesn't have rules (except wearing your SPF), so yes, these are my top picks for olive and warmer skin tones — but if you're a red lip aficionado, no matter what your skin tone, you might like these too...

How to prep your lips before applying lipstick.

Before we dive into the best red lipsticks for olive skin and warm undertones, prepping your lips just like you would do skin prep before makeup is key.

Dry, cracked lips will not only cause feathering (not a cute look when trying to sport a bold red lip); red lips also have a much better chance of lasting the day when swiped on smooth, nourished lips.

Here are some quick tips on how to prep your pout:

1. Use a lip scrub.

Exfoliators for your lips? Yep, it's a thing!

Try: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Smoothing Sugar Scrub, $66.

2. Apply a nourishing lip mask.

For a smooth pout to sweep your red lip on, apply a nourishing lip mask after you exfoliate. You can either pop it on overnight or a few hours before applying your lipstick.

Try: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g, $31, and Aspect Lip-Perfecting Mask, $49.

3. Apply concealer to darker lips.

I know, this one sounds a bit weird, but this is a personal hack I like to do.

Because I have naturally darker lips, I like to apply the tiniest amount of concealer on first so that whatever lip shade I'm wearing can lay down on my lips as true to its actual colour as possible.

Using a less full-coverage concealer works best for this tip as full coverage can make your lipstick appear more cakey and/or muddy.

4. Precise lipstick application.

If you go outside the lines, don't stress. For extra precision, you can clean up any mistakes or bleeding by popping some concealer on a cotton tip and blurring out or drawing over any mishaps. Using a lip liner can also help with less bleeding, make lips appear fuller and give your red lip look more dimension.

The best red lipsticks to buy for olive skin.

Is there truly a better makeup companion than a statement red lip?

That was a rhetorical question.

While this list could go on further, here are just four of my standout red lipsticks that flatter warmer skin tones.

M.A.C Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Chili, $38.

M.A.C Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Chili. Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

  • Part of M.A.C's Matte Lipstick range, which includes 20 versatile and bold shades.
  • Delivers high-wattage colour and minimal shine.
  • Comfortable all-day wear and a creamy texture.
  • Has an anti-feathering technology that gives long-lasting colour.
  • Other popular reds in the range include 'Lady Danger' and 'Russian Red'.
  • Good for: Most usage both day and night.

My M.A.C Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Chili review:

M.A.C Chilli still very much holds its cult status as one of the most wearable red lipsticks.

I was actually recommended this by a few people including my cousin, who has a similar skin tone to me, as one of the best red lipsticks for darker skin tones. When I finally got around to buying it, I understood why. Now, it's the most used in my red lipstick wardrobe.

I prefer red lipsticks that lean more brownish than blue, and this one does just that.

Plus, if you're not a high-gloss gal, like me, this one imparts the perfect creamy matte finish that, when diffused a little with fingers, looks like a lovely stain on the lips.

This would also be my pick for the red lip I would wear comfortably with any day outfit as well as any evening occasion (looks especially great paired with white or denim).

For its high quality, the $38 price point is pretty reasonable.

Lighter skin tones, this one looks great on you too! My auntie, who is much fairer than me, also owns M.A.C Chilli, and while it looks completely different on her, it's equally as flattering.

File this one under: the perfect handbag companion during party season.

Yves Saint Laurent Rogue Pur Couture in Rogue Libre, $70.

Yves Saint Laurent Rogue Pur Couture in Rogue Libre, Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

  • A new and improved nourishing formula with an 80 percent lip care base.
  • Delivers a satin finish.
  • Highly pigmented.
  • Contains ceramides, tuberose and prickly pear extracts.
  • Promises comfortable wear and softer, smoother lips.
  • Good for: Christmas Eve, NYE, and special occasions.

My Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in Rouge Libre review:

Creamy, lustrous and long-lasting, I first fell in love with their Rouge Lipstick after wearing the neutral shade 'Muse' at a wedding a few months ago and got so many compliments!

True to its promise, it was comfortable to wear and just one swipe feels like absolute luxury on the lips, so I was very keen to try a couple of the red hues from the range.

Both 'Rouge Libre' and 'Rouge Extravagance' are stunningly beautiful and would suit all olive skin tones, but I gave Rouge Libre an all-evening and night-wear test over the weekend and it passed the long wearing and pigmented test with flying colours.

I would say this ravishing red YSL lipstick felt the most hydrating on the lips too.

I danced, drank, ate lots of Messina cake and it was still on at the end of the night with no feathering in sight.

If you want the perfect after-dark bougie red lip for the holiday season, add this to your cart.

Napoleon Perdis Mattetastic Lipstick in Ginger, $40.

Napoleon Perdis Mattetastic Lipstick in Ginger. Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

  • Has an intense matte finish.
  • Is long-lasting and doesn't dry out lips.
  • Contains HydraTechnology, sodium hyaluronate and vitamin E for hydration and moisture.
  • Good for: Christmas hosts and summer holiday destinations.

My Napoleon Perdis Mattetastic Lipstick in Ginger review:

Did you know the Napoleon Perdis Mattetastic Lipstick collection is based on old Hollywood starlets like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner?

Neither. Besides that cute little tidbit, I'm here to tell you this lipstick was the most bold and bright of the bunch. With more of an orangey undertone, this one makes any summer outfit sing!

Napoleon Perdis Mattetastic lipstick in the Ginger. Image: Adore Beauty.The divine feel and fun shade are perfect for all skin tones and are especially lovely on olive skin.

I applied this in the AM and after a full day of errands, eating, drinking and being in the sticky, humid Sydney weather, it was still on at 7pm:

M.A.C Cosmetics Locked Kiss Ink in Sophistry, $55.

M.A.C Cosmetics Locked Kiss Ink in Sophistry. Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

  • M.A.C Cosmetics Locked Kiss Ink is a long-wearing liquid lipstick with a rich matte finish and ⁠comfortable feel.
  • Is transfer-proof, waterproof (and kiss-proof!) so no need for touch-ups.
  • Promises 24 hours of weightless wear. No feathering or bleeding.
  • Has an exclusive pigment lock technology featuring double-coated, ultra-refined pigments for a flexible, breathable veil of full-coverage, rich matte colour.
  • The M.A.C Locked Kiss Ink is also infused with passion fruit oil, coconut oil and shea butter.
  • Comes with a slanted, cushiony applicator for precision and to help with a smooth and full application.
  • Is M.A.C's longest-wearing liquid lipstick to date.
  • Housed in a luxe, high-tech packaging.

My MAC Cosmetics Locked Kiss Ink in Sophistry review:

A fool-proof matte lip that will carry you through your all-day party season events.

I love this brick-red matte lipstick so much that I wrote a whole Beauty IQ review on it, which you can read here. For a heavy-duty red lip that will truly see you through all-day festive events, this would be my pick.

A party season faithful, its budge-proof power will stay put through drinking and eating and won't let you down ever.

Final thoughts.

While these are my top picks for red lipsticks for olive skin tones, this is beauty we're talking about!

Meaning, you might have olive skin but prefer a red lip that leans more blue or pink (looking at you, M.A.C Ruby Woo). It's all about personal preference and these are just four of mine!

Want more beauty product recommendations? Read these articles next:

For more from beauty and lifestyle writer Sadaf Razi, click here.

Feature Image: Adore Beauty. 

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