Makeup Colors for Redheads

As an adult I've learned to love the red hair that used to plague me as a child and a teenager. When I was younger I would often get stares and comments about how pale my skin was and I tried everything under the sun to change myself to fit in from tanning beds to dying my hair blonde and brown. I think every redhead has to eventually come to grips with the fact that he or she is going to stand out and learn to accept and embrace it.

Once you've gotten through that step, the next one becomes how you can play up the features you have, to look the best you can. For a redhead this often requires makeup because out features just don't show up without it. I must confess that I despise wearing makeup and usually don't, but when I want to wear makeup I want it to look great.

Here are some color rules you can go by to ensure you put your best face forward, and keep in mind, the color rules for makeup are a bit different than for fashion.

EYES

Brown, Taupe, Cream, and Beige:

All of these colors look exceptional on a redhead. If you stick primarily with tones in the brown family on the eyes, you can't go wrong. This gives you just enough color and contrast to bring out your eyes without washing the rest of your face out to the point where you have to plaster a mask of makeup on your face to make it match the dramatic contrast of your eyes.

For this reason, it's best to stick with a brown mascara during the daytime. Brown mascaras are harder to come by these days though so you may have to search a bit to find one.

If you're going to bother putting mascara on you really should do your eyebrows as well to have a finished look and prevent the Uncle Fester look which can happen when your eyes are dark and by contrast your eyebrows disappear. I try to go with the eyebrow pencils made for blondes since few retail companies market specifically to redheads. There is however one company online called Just For Redheads which caters specifically to redheads. I'd recommend ordering their catalog, they have some good products.

Gold:

Gold is a wonderful highlight color for the eyes, and you can get away with a shimmery gold here if you like. The light reflecting properties of this shade when applied to the right areas can make your eyes look dramatically different while bringing out the varying tones in your eyes.

Try applying just under the brow line and in the inner corners of your eyes to open up the eyes.

Green:

Greens can work around the eyes as well provided you get a green in the right tone. You can also try mixing green and brown together to get a specialized shade.

CHEEKS

Cappuccino/Coffee:

A very light, coral tinged cappuccino shade is perfect on the cheeks or for an all-over very light dusting of bronzer. It should contain a touch of red if no coral tinge is present. This shade mixes with the brown on the eyes wonderfully and gives a touch of reddish/pink without overpowering the complexion. This is a good choice for evening makeup, but can also be used during the daytime if applied with a light hand.

Coral:

This is a wonderful color on the cheeks for a light sun-kissed look appropriate for day wear or for a soft natural nighttime look.

Pink:

Pink can be used, but coral is favored over it because redheads have natural pink tones in their skin and can tend to look clownish when too much pink or red is applied to the face.

Stick with light pinks and solid rose pinks if you are going to use pink, don't go for the fuchsia or hot pink type shades.

LIPS

Again, you want to stay away from reds, burgundies, and fuchsias; these are all too dark and heavy.

Coffee/Cappuccino:

As good on the lips as on the cheeks. This shade will match and blend with the brown tones on the eyes and coral or coffee on the cheeks.

Coral:

I said it before and I'll say it again, this is a wonder color for redheads, so use it if you can. The plus here is that coral lipsticks are available just about everywhere in every brand.

Orange/Burnt Orange:

These two colors play up the bits of red that you want and the brown/coral tones which are so flattering. Orange-ish shades will always work, obviously if not electric or fluorescent.

Pale Pink:

Pink can work when very pale on the lips, but steer clear of frosted pinks for the most part. Burt's Bees makes a great colored chap-stick in pale pink which I love.

Please keep in mind that any other colors that relate to the color families mentioned here can be substituted, colors like: brick red (if heavily favored toward the brown side), copper, and bronze can work in most cases on the face.

I hope that these tips were helpful to you and please also check out my article Fashion Colors For Redheads for more tips on how redheads can use color to their advantage to look and feel great.