BEAUTY CONFESSION | WHY I DON'T WEAR RED LIPSTICK

Image source: zoella.com

Anyone can pull off red lipstick. I have heard this so many times. Watching my friends and favourite celebrities look drop dead gorgeous in a classic red lip makes me green with envy, because I am living proof that the adage: Anyone can pull off red lipstick, is simply not true. I can’t. No, really, I can’t. I wish Lipstick Queen would come out with a Frog Prince lipstick that would create your perfect red, because that would be a makeup product that truly changes the game, however, I have realised that it is not my skin tone that presents the problem; it’s just me.

Red lipstick is a statement, it gives the wearer power because it demands attention. It adds glamour and intrigue and makes everyone within an immediate vicinity take a bit more notice than they would if you were just showcasing your trusty honey flavoured lip balm, which is what I would be doing.  I have been listening to Fat Mascara on my iPhone in the mornings, I highly recommend it if you’re finally getting sick of listening to Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake on repeat, and in one of their earliest episodes they discuss red lipstick. One of their statements really stuck with me: Red lipstick is like the white jeans of makeup. Let’s forget for a second the millions of YouTube videos dedicated to achieving perfect, long-lasting, would survive a nuclear war, red lips and admit that if you put on a red lipstick you can kiss goodbye to a significant portion of your day.

Image Source: BritishBeautyBlogger.com

Red lips are not created to be forgotten, because it makes a statement and is eye-catching, you want people to look at you (even if only a little bit). For that reason, it needs to be perfect. No bleeding. No smudging. Transfer-proof. Tonnes of preparation. It takes time to apply, we all know that trick with one ply of tissue and translucent powder, and requires regular check-ins. This is not me. I spend a total of three minutes every morning doing my makeup. I slap on a bit of foundation, loose powder, the essential contour and, if I can be bothered, maybe some eyeshadow. Of course if I am attending something fancy I will spend more time on my mug and add all the extras, but otherwise I am pretty low maintenance. I rarely wear lipstick ever, because it would just fade so I would rather keep my lips supple with a lip balm or moisturising lip tint.

Another of my disappointing attributes I am painfully self-conscious and allergic to attention. All kinds of attention, both good and bad. I hate people commenting on my appearance because I never take their remarks or compliments at face value. It always feels like it is coming from a negative, insincere place. If I could slip in unnoticed at events and occasions I would, unfortunately, especially with family occasions, this is impossible and considered impolite. If I wore a red lipstick I would feel even more self-conscious and wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself, it doesn’t fit in with my personality at all and isn’t worth the discomfort. I honestly wish I could be more confident and feel and look great in a red lipstick. I know beauty seems unimportant but it can make a difference, the way you look completely influences how you feel so it makes sense to me that when women need to kick the shit out of their day they put on a red lipstick. I love it.

Image Source: Pinterest

I have always wanted to be able to wear a red lipstick, to the point where I actually purchased one with my hard-earned cash after watching Zoella wax poetic about this drugstore find. In hindsight considering Zoe has pale English rose skin and I don’t this should have been an obvious warning for me. I tried it on and hated it, I looked ridiculous, like a little child playing dress up, I couldn’t have been more disappointed. The lipstick accentuated my imperfect mouth, I became cognisant of every flaw my lips possess. Interestingly, the rest of my face suddenly looked flawless, but unfortunately no one else would notice this instead they would all be staring at my uneven, weirdly shaped lips. It is my understanding that fuller lips suit more daring colours, I know red is considered classic but for me anything that isn’t in the nude family is adventurous. My lips are not Kylie Jenner full and the thought of a needle anywhere near my mouth makes me break into a sweat. So alas, I am hanging my red lipstick dreams up for now and embracing myself.

I don’t wear red lipstick and that’s okay. It’s not about finding the perfect shade or outfit, it just doesn’t suit my personality. I have to find my own version of a red lipstick and I already know that’s eyeshadow. Playing with eyeshadow and experimenting with different tones and finishes enhances my mood like nothing else that is where my creativity and comfort lies. Eyeshadow is fun for me, not terrifying like red lipstick. So I’ll stick with that until I grow up a bit.

Image source: temptalia.com

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this different post and would love to hear your thoughts on what makeup you have tried and not liked or just felt fundamentally didn't suit you. I welcome all your recommendations too so if you have a red lipstick, or any lipstick, that you can't live without please let me know in the comments, similarly if there is anything that makes you feel self-conscious or prevents you from trying out new things please share that too. I always feel alone in not being confident to try out certain things (like red lipstick) so it would be interesting and reassuring to read about your experiences and feelings too. Thank you for taking the time to read my post it means so much to me. Don't forget you can follow me on Bloglovin' to stay up to date with new posts and check out my social media for more makeup and madness. Love you all. Take care. 

What is your favourite lip product?

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Kiran 

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