The Beauty A, B, C's: The red lipped look for day

Bold lips are everywhere you look - and I love it! A few years ago, I remember nervously and awkwardly trying to find the perfect true-red lipstick (my first foray into a bold lip), stumbling around a big department store, swatching bullets all over the backs of both of my hands and making a real mess, all without really getting anywhere! Fast forward to today, and I rarely leave home without at least one bold bullet tucked into my bag or on display on my lips. It's just such a great, beauty pick-me-up, and so easy to apply, unlike a fussy bold eye.

However, many lasses like to leave a bold lip to night wear, which shouldn't be the case. Let your pout do all the talking in the daylight with this simple guide for rocking a casual red lip that doesn't look out of place at a lunch event or even strolling down the street to pick up a sandwhich!

Here are the beauty A, B, C's of a well-worn red lip for day...

A: Getting your base perfect

When attempting a bold lip, before you even reach for a coloured bullet (so many hue options!) you need to work on getting your base right first. Whether acing a bold lip or not, a day base should be lighter and brighter than the one you do for night. Another trick? Getting rid of all other redness in your base - you only want your lips to add the colour! On top of your usual concealer and foundation/bb cream/tinted moisturiser, try incorporating a brightening product into your makeup bag. We love the Comvita Brightening Moisturiser with SPF15. Containing antioxidants to fade blemish marks or discolouration in the skin, this moisturiser is part of a slew of brightening (sometimes known as whitening) products to hit the market, but we particularly love this one thanks to its natural ingredients like Liquorice root extract, Rosehip, Macadamia, and Sunflower oils. Apply daily and after a couple of weeks, you should notice a difference in your skintone!

B: Add a little bronzer

A touch of bronzer keeps your look firmly in the day-wear category, rather than the shimmery night-wear vibe that illuminators and highlighters can add to a look. Sweep a little along your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose (a Victoria's Secret makeup trick) and a little along your forehead. You can also use a touch on your lids, instead of an eyehadow, to keep the look consistent. We love the subtle shimmer and glow in the MeMeMe Blush Me! Blush Box in Bronze.

C: Now, grab your lip colour!

The key to keeping your red lip day-appropriate is to apply it little by little, right from the bullet. Pressing it into your lips, rather than painting it on will help to blend the red shade into your pout. Feel free to blend it in with you fingertips too - this creates more of a lipstain than a perfectly painted pout, ideal for day time! A classic fave here at bb is the Savoir Faire Lipstick in Risque, which comes in a pretty metallic, magnetic case - no more fretting about your lippy lid falling off in the bottom of your bag!

And there you have it! If you can't bear thinking about keeping your eyes this natural, try a small coating of plain black mascara in a fine formula - spider lashes with red lips for day don't work - or else, try a clear mascara instead!

Do you love to wear a red lip during the day? What do you pair with it? Let me know! - Lauren

(pic courtesy of pinterest.com)