The power of a good red lip should never be underestimated: it’s bold, romantic and incredibly flattering — yes, even for mature lips. Need proof? Look no further than Kristin Scott Thomas. The actress, 65, looked incredible last night as she stepped out in London, complete with a bold lip to match the red carpet.
Set against Kristin’s cool silver locks, the red lip feels especially punchy, injecting vibrant colour into her look. There’s a misconception that mature women should steer away from a red lip, but Kristin proves otherwise.
Speaking to GH, celebrity makeup artist Mira Parmar says, ‘Red and silver is such a great combination. Since grey is cool and red is warm, the two shades complement each other beautifully. It feels very powerful and confident.’
For mature women, Mira says less is always more. ‘What’s great about Kristin’s look is that she’s let the red lip lead and kept everything else toned down, with a very natural, light base. That pop of colour is all that’s needed.’
Any beauty fanatic will know that no red lip is created equal. A stroll down the beauty aisle reveals countless options, so the choice can be tough. For those with silver strands like Kristin, a warmer shade will work brilliantly. ‘Kristin has gone for an orange-toned red, and this helps to bring a real warmth to the look. It really complements her and brings out the contrasting cool tones in her hair,’ says Mira.
The lipstick finish should also be taken into consideration. ‘Kristin has opted for a satin sheen, which is particularly flattering on mature lips since it fills in any fine lines’. Mira also notes that glosses can be very flattering, but advises steering clear of matte lipstick, as it can appear drying.
Violette FR Bisou Balm Bonbon Coquelicot
While we don’t all have an MUA on speed dial like Kristin, a red-carpet-worthy lip can still be achieved at home. ‘When it comes to a good red lip, application is the biggest thing,’ says Mira. ‘The Lush lip scrubs are brilliant for prepping.’ Sweep it on, exfoliate, and you’ll be left with a smooth pout.
‘If you really want the red to pop, you can sweep a little bit of concealer or foundation across the lips, almost as a primer,’ she reveals. To avoid waste, try using the product that’s left on your foundation brush.
With such a bold colour, precision is key. ‘It’s important to line the lips. I like to use a lip liner to fill the whole lip for a double whammy. It gives you a great base to put your lipstick on to, and it gives you staying power that lasts all day,’ Mira explains.
In short, don’t shy away from red: it’s ageless, elegant and looks particularly striking with silver strands.
