Perfect Red Lips for Your Holiday Party

With the holidays just around the corner, it is time to glam up your look for the many parties and gatherings you'll be invited to. Classic red lips are ideal for any type of formal party and they enhance the overall holiday look you want to achieve. If you've never done a classic red lip, now is the time to step out of the box and show off! For those who don't wear bold lipstick, it's time to pull out the confidence and create a festive, but classy, look for your holiday events. Here are a few easy steps to achieving the ideal statement lip color:

Prepare the Lips - With a dry washcloth or soft dry toothbrush, gently exfoliate your lips to remove any dry, flaky areas. Use a moisturizing lip exfoliant to nourish and hydrate lips before you apply your classic red lipstick. One ideal lip exfoliant is the Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish.

Conceal Imperfections - Using a concealer brush, apply foundation and concealer around the outside of the lips. Blend the foundation in very close to the outline of the lips until the lip line is concealed, that way you can use a lip liner to draw in a new, perfectly shaped lip line. Lip liner is essential when using lipstick because it keeps the color on the lips and will not 'bleed' out past the lips in any fine lines on the skin. Choose a lip liner in a neutral or natural shade, such as the Stila Long Wear Lip Liner in Aspiring. Once you line the lips, gently pencil over the entire surface of the lips to create a base for your lipstick.

Apply Color - Apply your red lipstick to the lips. Use a creamy formula so it goes across the lips easily, or apply the color from the tube to the lips with a lip brush for easy control, if desired. Look for a classic red lipstick color, such as NARS in Red Lizard. Once the lips are covered in color, take a tissue and blot the lips to remove the top layer of the lipstick. Removing the top layer will leave a matte finish on the lips for a more natural look and create depth with your lipstick. After you do the initial blotting, re-apply the lipstick for a second coat.

While applying red color may be a step outside the box for some, it is actually easy to apply and complements every skin tone. Take a few minutes to prepare the lips so they look healthy and soft, and then show them off with a fabulous red shade for your holiday party!