BEAUTY

Twelve Scarlet Lipsticks that Suit Every Skin Tone

Justine Feutry - Madame Figaro

16-February-2023

Twelve Scarlet Lipsticks that Suit Every Skin Tone

In its brightest hue can nevertheless be frightening; the lipstick is considered as a symbol of elegance as well as an object of fantasy. How can you avoid making a mistake? Here’s what the experts advised.

In the eyes of foreigners, the lipstick is seen as one of the symbols of the Parisian woman. In fact, it’s the signature of many women, and an object of seduction. Creative Director of Guerlain Makeup Violette declared: "Without hesitation, lipstick is my favorite makeup product. It is the emblem of self-confidence and seduction. One of my favorite colors is red, in homage to the painter Mark Rothko." The scarlet lipstick has not lost any of its beauty or its power of attraction. "All women love this shade, however; they do not always dare to assume it because it refers them to a given situation: there is of course the seduction but it can also be related to a memory or a family heritage because it is a classic that the grandmother wore for example. And others still see the "red red" as vulgar... But in any case, each one has a real history with it," explained Patrick Lorentz, make-up artist for Estée Lauder.

Instant good looks

These lipsticks are a highly desirable gift. It remains to know which good red to choose, for oneself (or one's partner in the second case). In fact, the lipstick does not have only one face, declining itself in coral, in burgundy, playing on the points of yellow, blue or black to metamorphose itself. So, how not to make a mistake and choose a red that will sublimate all skin tones?

The make-up artists of the different brands we interviewed are unanimous: red makes you look good. And just for that, we should make a few infidelities to Rosewood, a safe bet for many women. Sandrine Cano Bock, make-up artist for Chanel, draws a parallel with the red that rises to our cheeks and whose lips are adorned when we walk in the mountains. "It's a natural reaction, but one that can be reproduced with a crushed raspberry shade, but without too much blue. I wouldn't go for a too bold or orangey red either, as it's a riskier bet." Charly Barbier, training director at Nars, meanwhile, suggests a flamboyant red with a bright coral undertone to bring a sunny mood to the makeup and plenty of light. "This kind of red gives you an instant healthy glow and makes you feel like spring is very close."

The right texture

Beyond the shade, it is the texture that will play. As Thom Walker, creative director of makeup at Givenchy, reminds us, "the texture is just as important as the shade. It is true that today between the balms, glosses, matte, satin, velvet or metallic, the rendering varies considerably. "We can have very different finishes. A balm that is a little burgundy works very well for example for someone who is looking for a natural effect. A satin version will be softer when a matte will be more assertive," analyzes Patrick Lorentz. "And if we want to soften, we can bet on an imperfect mouth effect: we put it in small pressures on the whole of the lips and we come to erase the edges with a flat brush". A blurred option that Sandrine Cano Bock also retains: "I would choose a matte texture because you can't go wrong, and I would apply it with my finger, tapping to get that less clear effect." With the right color and instructions, all you have to do is get started.