Wedding Makeup

The Bold Red Lip: A Brides Guide to Selecting the Perfect Red Lip for Wedding Day

September 15, 2022

Red lips are a hot bridal trend that we like to thank Taylor Swift for; she's been rocking the perfect red lip for as long as we can remember! A bold red lip is a stunning way to add extra glamour to your wedding day makeup. But with so many different shades of red to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Here's a quick guide to help you select the perfect bold red lip for your big day.

50(+) Shades of Red

When it comes to red lipstick, there are literally endless shades to choose from. If you're not sure which one is right for you, start with a deeper hue first. Darker and deeper reds fair more on the vintage and glamorous side of the spectrum. As opposed to an electrically bright red lip, which falls more on the sassy and frisky side of the spectrum. Especially if you do not typically wear red lipstick, we recommend you ease yourself into this process and take your time testing different shades.

While we truly do love having endless shades of red to choose from, the copious amount of options can be a bit daunting. This is why we advise you to take lots of time to find the perfect shade for you and not rush this process! At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is how you feel wearing your red lip. Once you find a shade that makes you feel confident and comfortable, you've found the right shade for yourself!

Different Skin Tones

Red is not a one-size-fits-all kind of color. Different skin tones wear red lips very differently.

For our olive-skinned ladies, we recommend looking for yellow and orange-hued reds, like a more coral shade. Avoid reds with a cool hue, like magenta red lipsticks, as these will most likely wash your complexion out a bit.

Orange-hue lip
Madi Pere Photography

If you have darker skin, test out bolder colors like deep reds with blue undertones. These colors will complement your deeper skin tone perfectly. Wine and berry reds are also great options that will complement your skin tone beautifully!

Orange-hue lip
BOB Photography

If you have fair skin, the best red lipstick for you is one that will complement your natural pink-toned skin. Test out shades that have blue and purple undertones. These colors will create a more flattering finish than those with yellow and orange undertones. Bonus points for cool red lipsticks: they can also make your teeth appear whiter!

Purple-hue lip
Alicia Lacey Photography

If you fall in the medium skin tone spectrum, you'll have more flexibility when it comes to choosing the perfect red lipstick. Both cool and warm reds can look amazing with a medium skin tone! If you do not know the undertone of your skin, cool or warm, we recommend asking your makeup artist when you meet for your trial! This will help you narrow down your options when you venture out to find your perfect shade. If you fall under the cool undertone category, check out a deeper more wine-colored lip! (think Merlot!) If you fall in the warm category, you could really go either way.

Berry red lip
Victoria V Photography

If you have light skin, you can definitely pull off that stunning bright red lip. (a la Taylor Swift!) But if you want to play it safe, start with a cool red or berry red with blue undertones. These colors will look gorgeous against your fair skin!

Bright red lip
Sarah Murray Photography

Again, what matters most is how you feel while wearing your red lip!

Different Textures

The texture of your lipstick (cream, matte, or gloss) can affect the way the shade looks on your lips. Once you've found the perfect shade for you, the next step is to experiment with different textures of lipstick or gloss. Overall, the most important factor is finding a lipstick or gloss that will stain your lips and won't, for lack of a better word, schmear all over your honey's face when you kiss. No matter the longevity of the lip, we always recommend keeping it with you, or your MOH, on your wedding day. This way if the need to touch up occurs, you'll have your gloss or lipstick on hand!

Another amazing thing about the variety of textures of lipstick and gloss is the ability to layer them. Did you purchase an almost perfect shade of lipstick, but something is just off about it? Don't throw it away! Try layering that lipstick with a slightly different shade of lipgloss. Doing this not only saves you from wasting your money and product but also adds depth to your lip that otherwise would not be achieved without layering.

Practice at Home

Most importantly, practice with your red lip! Once you've found your perfect shade of lipstick or gloss, put her to the test. Apply your lip early in the morning and see how she wears throughout the day! Practice kissing, hugging, drinking, rubbing with a tissue, and any other activity you can think of that might occur on your wedding day. If your lipstick or gloss isn't wearing as well as you were hoping, don't fret! With research, you should be able to find your perfect shade in a different brand or product type. Always feel free to send us an email (team@updosforidos.com), we would be happy to help you with your lipstick selection!

The bold red lip is a classic look that takes some time to perfect. Choosing the right shade of red lipstick or gloss can be tricky, but hopefully, this guide provided some helpful tips! Be sure to practice at home before your big day to ensure you're happy with the way your bold red lip looks and feels. With a little research and preparation, you can find the perfect bold red lip for your wedding day!