Diva Bright Smile Tip: Blue Based Red Lip

Since the red lip is trending like crazy for fall I thought I'd share a runway/red carpet ready tip  used by professionals on creating a sexy red pout which gives your lips dimension and makes your smile super bright. It's also a little secret celebs use for getting their teeth to appear blinding white. Gwen Stefani has been using this trick for years and her favorite red shade is Urban Decays Gash which is also one of my fave UD lip colors. I added a photo of this shade below.You have to start with a lip color that's a deep vamp shade of red but most importantly it has to be in the blue pigment family. Blue based lip color will be deeper in shade such as a lush berry or deep scarlet color. Orange based red are much warmer in tone such as cherry,brick or poppy reds. You can tell just by looking at the lip color because your more than likely to see the difference between the two tones. Blue based red's usually work best on cool tones or fair skin complexions where orange based reds work best on warm skin tones. Dark skin complexions should also work nicely with blue based reds.Finding that best shade of red begins with a color that compliments your own natural skin tone. A really great true red has a combination of blue & orange pigments that work on any one's skin complexion. 

these shades of red are universally flattering on all skin types

If you purchased red lipsticks that ended up looking horrible on you don't throw them out because you can always mix them with other lip colors to get a unique color that matches your tone. You can do this by layering with a lip brush or mixing different tubes in an empty lip pot which can be purchased at any beautiful supply store for a small cost. Now back to getting that super bright vixen lip.The lipstick I swatched is from my Kevin Aucoin collection in shade Bloodroses. It's not new I purchased it last season but it's one of my fave blue pigmented red shades for creating the perfect winter weather diva lip looks. After you select your perfect blue based shade then you'll need to get yourself a blue lip gloss. I use Kevin Aucoins Blue Diamond Gloss pictured above because it really has a nice deep blue. While it looks like glitter it actually has diamond dust blue flecks in the formula. If you can't find something like this or designer brands cost too much you can purchase a holographic blue gloss at any drug store for less like the one I have pictured above without any label on it. It cost like $3 while this one has no flecks in it-it has a high holographic dimension that my camera couldn't capture but it's real pretty. The flash also didn't capture the lipstick shade accurately so here is an up close shot of it. It's a gorgeous blood stain red called Blood Roses.

Kevin Aucoin Blood Roses

My Urban Decay Gash works great with layered blue gloss-a Gwen Stefani fave!

Other blue glosses in my collection that works well for this look:

Christian Dior Gloss Show:Urban Decay Sparkler Pen & Estee Lauder Lip Vinyl

The blue lip gloss works over the blue based lip color by adding full dimension to your lips as well as making your teeth appear super white giving you that dazzling bright smile. The secret to this is using a blue gloss as the top coat over your lipstick as you wont get the same brightening effect with clear gloss. I find this always makes my lips look like a coat of sleek vinyl was applied as a top coat,it's really sexy on your lips and perfect for accessorising your winter fashion look. This trick is amazing on fair skin because it will make your light tone pop even more so if you have dark hair. The swatch above from left to right is the Blood Roses lipstick followed by the lipstick applied with Kevin Aucoin Blue Diamond Gloss then third swatch is the blue holographic gloss on it's own with the last shade is the KA Blue Diamond gloss on it's own. You can tell how subtle both the blue glosses are on there own. They are not childish looking glosses at all-they just amplify the blue based red lip color of your choice. You girls try this out and let me know how it works on you. Stay beautiful!  XOXO