Red lipstick is probably my favorite accessory. More than just a makeup product, it’s perfect for brightening up dull outfits. I started applying rouge as a teenager after watching my stylish mom diligently apply red lipstick to events, outings, or just a regular Thursday — and looking great — now I’m almost 30. Right now, her lips seem to be painted a deep scarlet color. Instantly boosts my mood, oozes sass, and most importantly, boosts my confidence. British makeup icon Charlotte Tilbury is absolutely right when she says, “Lipstick is happiness in a tube, darling!”
But when it comes to choosing the right shade, stick to one or two brands and shades that you know, love, and trust to look likable and appealing to the new kid in town. It’s always difficult to transition from – plus, you have to invest in a new lipstick, which isn’t cheap.
My all-time favorites are the more affordable, under £10 options such as KIKO’s Lip You Lots (now discontinued, sob) and more recently MUA’s Razzleberry. they are bright. Highly pigmented. Leave it on all day. And don’t go bankrupt.
That being said, when I had the chance to try out Charlotte Tilbury’s new lipstick shades, I…couldn’t get too excited. Perhaps even more so when I found the perfect shade of red for me. So far, I have tried a lot of red lipsticks (from Chanel and Clinique to NYX). “Hollywood Vixen”. Let me explain why…
Charlotte Tilbury is known in the beauty world for loving your skin and creating the perfect products. Adele loves her perfect filters, Kate her moss uses her lipstick regularly, and her MUAs all over the world trust her. I’ve always been a fan of hers. Nude pillow toe clip, that was the shade I wore on my wedding day. But for some reason, I had never tried her red shade. After trying out some spectacular shades from her Hollywood beauty icon’s latest creations, she now realizes that it’s because she has to invest in every piece. And my bank account can’t accept it.
The new shades include rich pinks that are “enriched with pink pigments for a light-diffusing lip filter effect” that range from rosy and nude to Barbie-like bright colors to make lips look fuller and wider. Show you. Also included is a selection of “infused” matte reds. It uses Hollywood 3D effect red pigment to define the contours of your lips and goes from earthy and deep to dazzling red.
Having never found the “right” pink, I was skeptical about trying the rose and pastel colors in this new range. Pink always looked washed out and dull (to me) and didn’t seem to suit my yellowish skin tone, dark hair, and hazel eyes. But apparently, according to Charlotte, that’s because I just haven’t found the right shade. My skin tone and brand just helped me find it.
Using the lipstick shade tool on the makeup artist’s website, I was able to answer a few questions about color, tone, etc. and was left with a small selection of lipsticks that complimented me in both red and pink. I did.
After trying out the tool suggestions – KISSING candy chic and 90’s pink – I was pleasantly surprised to find that they actually looked very… nice (Pillow Talk is the best I’ve ever done At my pinkest, I wore anything other than red lip, balm, or red lip gloss (which was a little foreign to me).
With its satin-like glossy finish and moisturizing application, the KISSING icon feels gorgeous on the lips, enjoying the brightness of candy chic and the delicacy of a ’90s icon. I also tried Rose to Fame and enjoyed its dark depth. But as you can imagine, it was the color red that really set my soul on fire. Especially Mark of a Kiss, Fame Flame, and Hollywood Vixen.
Fame Flame’s smooth matte was a red-orange chili pepper shade that was perfect for summer, while Mark of a Kiss was a little deeper, earthy and subdued. However, it was Hollywood Vixen that attracted me the most.
After gliding a buttery smooth scarlet lipstick onto Lip Cheat lined lips (Red Carpet Red), I was met with a bright shade of bluish red reflected in the mirror, brightening my eyes and skin. It looked like – as a friend said to me – glowing. It was the perfect shade for me. I instantly looked energized and glamorous, even though the only other makeup I wore was mascara and Revolution Pro Skin Silk. This shows you what the power of a good lipstick can do for your shade.
Plus, this color stayed on for hours and required a little elbow grease to remove it afterwards (though it could be my makeup remover…). It was wonderful. The colors are similar to those worn by old Hollywood stars.
In short…I’m in love. And I found some rosy shades in Charlotte Tilbury’s new launch that don’t wash me out and are perfect for everyday use – perhaps because I’m tempted by the days of wearing pink lipstick You’ll be… – OK This Hollywood Vixen shade has become my go-to lipstick for any occasion.