Red is as common during the holidays as supermarket Santas. Not to mention stressed-out shoppers and “ugly” sweaters. A touch of red brings festive cheer and elegance to any makeup look. But even a classic red lipstick can sometimes make us feel uninspired when we break it out yet again for the holiday season. Which begs the question: Is there a unique way to wear red lipstick?
[ Tutorial: Dita Von Teese Shows How to Get the Perfect Glamorous Red Lip ]
We’re glad you asked. The short answer? Yes. When it comes to standout holiday beauty looks, it’s about choosing more unexpected things to complement your red lipstick of choice or enhancing different parts of your face. You should also consider favoring more unconventional shades. Like bold berry hues. It can also come down to technique. There’s never been a better time to try out the blurred lip look. Treat your lips like your nails by experimenting with negative space.
Keep your holiday beauty game fresh all season long with these out-of-the-box ways to wear red lipstick. If you want to keep on rocking them after New Year’s Day, go right ahead. Hey, there’s a reason red lipstick is a classic.
Images: Imaxtree
[ Next: 10 Perfect Red Lipsticks + 10 Runway-Approved Ways to Wear Them ]
19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #1
Glossy red lips are a holiday staple. Shake things up by reaching for a marvelous matte lipstick in a classic red hue.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #2
Instead of opting for a high-shine ruby red hue, try a high-shine raspberry pout.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #3
Swipe on a glossy red lipstick, but leave the inner corners of your mouth basically bare. Keep the rest of your makeup look minimal to let your kisser take center stage.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #4
Make your pucker pop by lining your go-to red lipstick with a berry lip liner. Slightly blend the two for a blurred effect.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #5
Red and green may be a classic combo, but color theory tells us that red and blue are pretty primary colors. For a unique holiday makeup look, try royal blue eyeshadow accenting flicked black liner and wispy lashes. A kiss of cherry red lipstick looks jolly good with these eyes.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #6
Holiday makeup doesn't need to be precise or complicated. Skip smoky eyes and make peepers pop with yellow mascara. It plays into the colored mascara trend and the gold tones still make it feel holiday-appropriate. Finish with a fashionable "Popsicle mouth" blurred finish.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #7
White plus red is one of the freshest combinations and offers distinct holiday vibes. For a flattering look, try sheer white eyeliner on the upper lash lines paired with a satin red lipstick. Adding a touch of eye gloss brings more dimension and couldn't be trendier.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #8
Reminder: Holiday makeup is about more than eyes and lips. Offset a deep red lipstick with a cotton candy pink blush. Try a draping technique for a cool contoured effect. It'll combat winter's tendency to turn skin sallow and dull.
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New Color Combination
Pink and red is a fashion favorite combo that also works brilliantly in beauty. Almost any shades will work, but we're partial to this lilac-toned pale pink swept across the entire eye with rosy red lipstick. A thin line of black liquid liner tempers the sweetness.
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Baby Blues
Green? How about baby blue? It's not the most traditional holiday color, nor is it the first thing many would consider to pair with fiery red, but that's part of its appeal. Opaque pastel blue eyeshadow rimming the eyes and a red lip look ultra modern.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #11
The gravity-defying pompadour is a bold holiday hairstyle and it's even better paired with a pigmented red lipstick and winged red eyeshadow. It's fire.
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24K Magic
Glitter and bold brows are not going anywhere. For an eye-popping interpretation of the trend, bedazzle brows with opaque gold glitter or even gold leaf. Red lipstick keeps the gilded eyebrows in check.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #13
Glitter takes a red lip from basic to prismatic. Keep it mess-free with a shimmering lip gloss. A wash of deep pink eyeshadow adds more romance without distracting from the dazzling kisser.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #14
More of a traditionalist? Keep the green eyeshadow and red lipstick, but make the classic combo special by selecting more muted shades like this blackened green eyeshadow and burgundy lipstick.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #15
Black eyeliner plus red lipstick just may be the most timeless makeup pairing. Put your stamp on it by trying different eyeliner shapes, such as this floating negative space eyeliner that's in the creases. Trade in classic red lipstick for berry. Definitely round it out with one statement earring.
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Roaring Red
Party season is an invitation to be more adventurous. So add even more red by complementing a glossy red lip with an equally fiery eyeshadow. Flicked black eyeliner provides definition and ups the glamour.
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Face Full of Color
Those who haven't made good on their New Year's resolution to be more experimental with colorful makeup can still tick it off by trying this makeup look. Bold blue eyes and scarlet lips bring the party vibes. Plus, blue eyeshadow has been trending all year.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #18
A grunge aesthetic for the holidays? Why not? Rather than the traditional brights, decorate eyes with deeper, more muted tones.
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Red Hot
Color outside the lines with a monochromatic red makeup look. Extend eyeshadow to cheekbones for a flirty finish. Just try to keep your red lipstick as neat as possible, OK?
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Sugar Plum Fairy
Red, purple and pink, oh my! The color scheme has plenty of romance, but it's the dab of electric chartreuse on the outer corners that makes for a truly head-turning holiday party lewk.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #21
It's party time so up the ante with an exaggerated royal blue cat eye. It's the perfect partner for a coral red lip color.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #22
Sparkle and red lipstick are holiday essentials, so why not combine them together? Bedazzle eyes with frosty silver sparkle from lids to brows. A candy red pout balances the shine.
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19 Unique Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This Holiday Season #23
Snow queens make for great makeup inspiration, but so do Renaissance princesses. For a romantic holiday beauty look, pair oxblood red lipstick with copper eyeshadow. It's your call if you want to add the crimped curls.
