It's time to try red lipstick. (Yes, even if you're a redhead.)
Growing up, you're given a lot of beauty rules.
"Redheads should avoid red lipstick — it clashes," someone might tell
you. Another might say that you need to stop wearing lip gloss after
your 30th birthday because it looks young. But here's the thing about
rules: They're meant to be broken!
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You can work around every. single. conventional beauty standard and still look fantastic. You just need to know how...
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You can work around every. single. conventional beauty standard and still look fantastic. You just need to know how...
Rule #1:
Redheads shouldn't wear red lipstick.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Redheads are often told they "can't" wear red lipstick or gloss because it might "clash." That's keeping gingers away from a lot of fun beauty products.
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Reality #1:
There's a perfect red lip color for everyone.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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It's all about choosing complimentary colors, as demonstrated here by GoodHousekeeping.com home editor Lauren Smith. "If someone has lighter red hair that's more on the orange or strawberry blonde side, they should try a blue-red hue," recommends makeup artist Lavonne Anthony. "For women with darker red hair, I love an orangey-red or brick red color."
Rule #2:
Never pair a strong eye with a bold lip.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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How many times have you been told to focus on your lips or your eyes — never both at the same time — when doing your makeup? Surprise, surprise — this broken-record rule is a great one to ignore.
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Reality #2:
Balance makes perfect.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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"A lot of people believe you can only play up one feature because they don't know how to apply the makeup correctly — it can come off as trying too hard when it's not applied well," explains Anthony. Instead of focusing exclusively on one feature, aim to create an overall balanced look that still looks like you (modeled here by freelance writer and editor Alana Levinson). For example, if you want both a dark lip and dramatic eyes, try false eyelashes for an even, sultry look.
Rule #3:
Skip mascara on your bottom lashes.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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It's often said that applying mascara to your bottom lashes will make your eyes look tired, but it can actually do just the opposite.
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Reality #3:
Applying top and bottom mascara opens up your eyes.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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The trick is to keep it from looking clumpy. To get a clean look like GoodHousekeeping.com's senior branded content editor Brie Schwartz, Anthony recommends dragging a tissue lightly across the tip of your mascara wand after you've applied it to your lashes, top and bottom. Then, hold the brush vertically and stroke each lash downward to get a long, defined look. Once you've coated your lashes, gently move the mascara wand back and forth to separate them and finish the look.
Rule #4:
If you have blue eyes, avoid blue eyeshadow.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Similar to redheads and red lipstick, blue-eyed folks are often told to steer clear of blue shadow because of the dreaded clash effect. Yes, we've all had some negative experiences with blue shadow (especially those of us who've experienced the '90s) but it can actually look modern when the right colors are involved.
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Reality #4:
The right palette will make your blue eyes pop.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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"Pick a shade that is either the same color as your eyes or a little bit darker, like a navy or royal blue," says Anthony. Modeled by yours truly, as GoodHousekeeping.com's beauty editor, these colors look modern — whereas lighter, shimmery formulas tend to appear more dated.
Rule #5:
People with "warm" skin shouldn't wear cool colors, and vice versa.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Having warm undertones in your skin doesn't mean you have to restrict yourself to warm shades — just look how nicely Suze Lee, a producer at Hearst Digital Media, wears this lilac lip color and green eyeshadow.
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Reality #5:
Contrasting shades can look gorgeous.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Trying colors that contrast with your complexion boils down to one word: opacity. "If you're going to rock it, it's important that the pigments show up," explains Anthony. "If it's too sheer, it can look as though there's not enough there — make sure it pops so it doesn't get lost."
Rule #6:
Women over 30 shouldn't wear lip gloss.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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There are so many arbitrary rules that older women are told to incorporate into their beauty routines, and most of them are totally useless. In the case of banishing the shiny stuff from your makeup bag, you should actually do just the opposite.
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Reality #6:
Gloss makes your lips look pretty and plump.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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"As you get older, your lips get thinner, so wearing a gloss is actually a great choice," says Anthony. It can make your smile look brighter, give you a poutier lip and makes your mouth look fuller. Don't be afraid to play with different shades, either. You can go with a creamy nude gloss, simple clear coat or sheer shiny balm.
Rule #7:
You shouldn't wear dark lipstick in the summer.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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When you think about lip colors for warmer months, you typically don't imagine berry, plum or scarlet shades. But why not?
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Reality #7:
You can wear any shade year-round.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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"Do whatever makes you comfortable," Anthony says. That means exfoliating before you apply lip color to get rid of any flakiness, applying a balm to get a smooth surface and using lip liner to get a long-lasting look. Anthony recommends rocking dark shades in a liquid or matte lipstick, or a sheer stain to avoid the color getting goopy should you wind up sweating in summer heat.
Rule #8:
People with light eyelashes should only wear brown mascara.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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When you've got blonde or light brown lashes, you may have been told that brown is the only mascara you can wear without looking over-the-top. Um, not only can you wear black mascara and look great, but you can also wear an even more daring shade: blue.
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Reality #8:
Bright mascaras will make any eye color stand out.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Don't be afraid of unconventional mascara colors — they can look fantastic on light eyes and lashes. "Blue mascara adds a great pop and contrast, making your eyes the focus," explains Anthony. Just keep your eyeshadow neutral or simple so it won't detract from your lashes.
Rule #9:
Pale people should avoid bright blush.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Just because you're pale doesn't mean you can't wear a vivid shade of rouge. "Blush is what brings the party on top and the party on the bottom together," says Anthony. "It adds a balance to the face, giving it synergy." Bonus points if it matches your hair.
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Reality #9:
A pop of color brings warmth and energy to your cheeks.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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If you're going to sweep an intense shade of blush on your face, just make sure it's blended well. (Think about how your cheeks get red when it's cold outside, as opposed to the type of blush a doll might have painted on its cheeks.)
Rule #10:
Always match your lip liner to your lipstick.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Gone are the days when everyone matched their lipstick to their lip liner.
Reality #10:
An ombre lip is a fresh, fun way to wear two shades at once.
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Kathryn Wirsing/Designed by Dana Tepper
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Experiment with the ombre lip trend.
To accomplish the look, apply a darker pencil along the outside of your
lips, then apply a lighter lipstick in the middle. Blend outward using a
lip brush, creating the ombre effect. Need a visual tutorial? We've got
a full video right here.
