Red lipstick is fascinating. There’re whole books written about it, there’re studies about it (the conclusion? You’re viewed as younger and more attractive when wearing it) and the truly great thing? It suits everybody. No matter your style, age, skintone – there’s a red for you. Want to meet best red lipstick for any age? Here’s how I achieve a very flattering look with any red you have at home.

WHAT?!

most versatile red lip look
Three truly great bright red lipsticks l-r: Guerlain KissKiss in Rouge Kiss, Mac Red, Mac Audacious.

Very likely, though, you’ll go through phases of red (I do): for a while, a sparkly cherry red is your OTP, while later, you only wear an oxblood matte for weeks. But recently, I had an epiphany: a way to wear ANY red lipstick that is flattering always. No matter which season, or if you’re 18 or 80 – the ‘nude’, blotted red lip is incredibly versatile.

I’ve mentioned it before, when I started to wear my fave reds blotted as summer started: I couldn’t stand a thicker texture on my lips, and my makeup style right now doesn’t lend itself easily to a HEY LOOK AT ME red lip.

HOW?!

age appropriate red lipstick look
Absolutely no need to buy a new lipstick – just use the one(s) you own!

The beauty of it: you don’t need a new lipstick. You can repurpose any red that you’ve lying around (although I like muted reds best for this, ones that look a bit brownish in the tube). Application is a breeze: apply a very light swipe (one!!!), press your lips together and use your fingers to blend the colour.

You can play around with it and create an ombre lip look, so beloved in Asian countries (deeper colour in the middle of the lips, a lighter one around the edges). Because this application method will yield a satin-y, skin-like finish, you can play with that as well: if you like a shinier look, apply a light layer of balm. If you want it more matte, blot with a tissue.

WHY?!

easiest red lip look
And that’s how a blotted lip looks on me. I used NARS Rita for it.

Shall I tell you why I’m so in love with this that I write a post on the Internet about it? Let me count the ways:

  • You don’t need to go out and buy a new product for this application technique. You can even do it with a pigmented lipgloss! (Sustainability for the win!)
  • Because it’ll let your natural lip colour peek through, it’ll look good with your skintone, and if you’ve been afraid of reds before, the light application will show you how great a red will look on you.
best red lipstick for any age
A few different reds, blotted (now you see that it doesn’t make a lot of a difference which red lipstick you use!). L-R NARS Rita, Rita with additional balm, Guerlain Rouge Kiss, MAC Audacious.
  • It’s age appropriate for young-ish people, and a great way to wear red when you’re older. Why? It won’t bleed into fine lines, for one. I also find (feel free to disagree) that either a very shiny red or a very matte one doesn’t look very flattering on older lips: the first option is nearly impossible to maintain, the other makes lips look thinner and dry.
  • I personally love a nude or blotted red lip exactly because it’s so flattering, but if ‘flattering’ isn’t a look you strive for – hey, you do you! Makeup doesn’t have to be flattering. It can just be fun.
  • (Btw, you can also do a very editorial, ‘blurred’ look with a blotted, nude red lip! For that, make the outline of your natural lip super soft – think smeared, but not really. I’d pair it with a very graphic eye look.)
  • I also find it’s a very summery look, lightweight and easy to maintain in the most humid and hottest of days.

What do you think? Is this look something you’d try?