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So Many Reds, So Little Time
Love it or Leave it: The Best Red Lipstick and the Worst
Red Lipstick
Crimson
lips are being touted as one of 2009’s biggest beauty
trends, and we’ve been long-time fans of a classic red
lip done right. Here’s how to get the look, plus
our roundup of the best (and worst) red lipsticks on the market.
Red lips demand attention so starting with a smooth canvas
is a must. Ban pesky lip bits with Aveda’s Botanical
Kinetics Liquid Exfoliant ($19 for 5 oz at select Aveda salons
and spas). Apply generously to a cotton ball and then swipe
over lips. Next, for a perfectly smooth pucker, moisturize
lips by swiping on lip balm and then blotting lips with a
tissue.
While some beauty experts recommend certain shades of this
hue based on skin tone, we’ve found that trial and error
is the true test. Thankfully, we’ve done some of the
work for you, pre-screening nearly 70 red lipsticks to round
up a few of the darlings (and the duds).
 Love
it! Prescriptives Colorscope Lipcolor in “Racecar Red”
($17.50)
You’ve undoubtedly heard of fire engine red,
but Prescriptives kicks it up a notch with their Colorscope
Lipcolor in “Racecar Red,” a juicy apple red available
in your choice of cream, shimmer or sparkle finishes. The
moist formula goes on smooth but boasts a surprising level
of staying power; $17.50 at Prescriptives.com
or at your local Macy’s Department Store.
Leave it: NYX Black Label Lipstick in “Cherry”
($7)
We’re fans of the NYX collection and The Black Label
collection lipstick in “Cherry” appeared to be
a winner at first glance. Unfortunately, this “silky
smooth” lipstick went on slick, and didn’t stay
put, leaving us red-faced rather than pucker perfect.
 Love
it! Rimmel’s 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner Pencil in
“Red Dynamite” and Lasting Finish Lipstick in
“Alarm” ($5.26 for the pair)
For about two bucks, we fell in love with Rimmel’s 1000
Kisses Stay On Lip Liner Pencil (on sale now for $2.09 at
Walgreens)
because it glides on easily and keeps its commitment to stay
on our lips without straying. Paired with Rimmel’s
Lasting Finish Lipstick in “Alarm” (on sale now
for $3.17 at Walgreens),
this glamorous duo aims to prove that style can be a steal.
Leave it: Milani’s Glitzy Glamour Gloss in
“All About Me” ($6.99)
Take it from us, ladies, avoid red lip gloss at all costs…
especially this one. Perhaps as punishment for straying from
red lipsticks into red gloss, “All About Me” ended
up all over us; and the hue that had looked so beguiling in
the drugstore left us looking more foolish than fashionable.
As a side note, we still live and die by Milani's Easy Lipliner
Retractable Pencil ($4.99 at local drugstores or at milanicosmetics.com)
"Cherry Pie," hand’s down the best bargain-priced
red lip liner that we’ve reviewed.
Love
it! VMV Hypoallergenics’ Lipped Creme in “Cranberry
Cobbler” ($21)
Color us yummy, thanks to VMV Hypoallergenics’ long-lasting
and hydrating red, “Cranberry Cobbler.” This
just-right-red with a hint of pink is universally flattering,
hypoallergenic and packed with Vitamin E. Get it for
$21 at vmvhypoallergenics.com.
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