The Red Lip: Rules of Application

Backstage Valentino Fall 2007

1. Prep your lips

If your lips are chapped or peeling coloring them red will just draw attention to that. So exfoliate first. Soap them up and buff off dead skin with a facial puff, a damp washcloth or a soft toothbrush. Moisturize with a lip balm.

2. Wear lipliner

If you define the parameters of your mouth before picking up a lipstick tube you're simply less likey to go awry and get a mess. It can also can protect you from looking clownish after lunch because it prevents running and bleeding.

3. Apply uniformly

4. Stay in the lines

Now that you've made use of the lipliner all you have to do is stay within the parameters you've set. We're sure you learned this way back in grade school art class but everyone needs a little reminder now and then.

If you apply your lipstick straight from the tube make sure you always use the same side of it for application. Random use wear the tip round and makes it imprecise. If that's too much work you can always cut your lipstick at a slant or use a lip brush instead to ensure precision.

5. Blot and reapply

This gives the color staying power.

The Red Lip: Finding the Right Shade

A few good reds to check out:

If you're fair like Jaime King try Dior Red Premiere and Dior Liner in Holiday Red.

Medium/Olive skin tones find a good match in the much adored MAC Viva Glam I as well as MAC Lady Bug

Someone with dark skin might try L'oreal's Colour Riche in Drumbeat Red for a mere $8 or NAR's slightly pricier rendition- The Fire Down Below.

Rihanna

If like Rihanna you really feel like kicking things up a notch. Put on a few slicks of NARS Diablo or another red gloss over the liner/lipstick for an intense look that really pops.

The Red Lip: Introduction

Jessica Stam for Valentino Fall 2007

Roberts, Dunst, Stiles and Gyllenhal

Jillian

Mulberry Spring/Summer 2007 Ad

Rachel McAdams in the Notebook

A good look encompasses not only clothes but hair and makeup. It doesn't do to be splendidly arrayed if your eye liner looks like it was applied by an epilectic and your hair is a hay stack. That is why the good-hearted, altruistic folk at Haute Spot have taken it upon themselves to educate the masses about beauty. Today's lesson: The Red Lip.

The red lip is quite possibly the most classic makeup look around. It's been helping women look pulled together, polished and powerful for decades (i.e. Marilyn Monroe, Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth).

Afraid you can't handle it? Well once mastered the red lip will be one of your most powerful assets so the Haute Spot says you owe it to yourselves to at least try. You CAN own it! It's all in finding the right shade, knowing the rules of application and determining what other makeup, hair styles and clothes to pair with it once you get it right. We're going to walk you through each of these three points in posts to follow so get ready! Our chronicles on this classic look have just begun!

High Waisted Pants

Christina/Keira Working the Sailor Look

Amerie in High-Waisted Shorts

Eve in High-Waisted Corset Jeans

Beyonce channeling Kat Kepburn

Victoria Secret's Version of this Trend

If you haven't tried out this trend we here at "haute spot" think it's high time. Corny pun aside it really is something to spice up your wardrobe if you're in a rut. Heres why we love em.

1. They're figure enhancing.

Eve's jeans are proof of that. High-waisted pants accentuate a small waist and suck in the gut like a corset. When coupled with curved stitching at the waist they become even more figure enhancing and can help create the illusion of curves for those who have none. If you like Eve's look these Guess jeans are almost identical and not that pricey.

2. Variety is the spice of life and high-waist trend comes in oh so many forms!
Skinny high-waisted denim is trendy but when made of a nice wool or silk high-waisted pants can be classic and work appropriate like Beyonce's. Try these satin ones by Bebe, the Victoria's Secret ones shown above, or these at Shopbop. They're also great for evoking a retro nautical theme as in the case of Knightley and X-tina. the possibilities are endless.

3. Good for any shape.

As we mentioned before those with skinny pant legs and curved stitching can make a bombshell out of a boy shape. If you have big hips balance your proportions by going for high-waisted pants with a wide leg. If you're short this style will naturally make your legs look a mile long. Gut? This nips and tucks.

There ya have it. We just love it. Happy buying!