I've never been one for the whole idea of Valentine's Day, even when I was in a relationship. Sure, I love getting flowers or cards, but I appreciate them as much on V-Day as I do any other day of the year, and the price you're forced to pay on February 14th is atrocious. One thing I do really like about the day though is having a great excuse to wear a bright and bold red lip.
ELF Studio Moisturising Lipstick in Red Carpet
I featured this lipstick in my Top 10 Vegan Lip Picks for Autumn, and it's just perfect for Valentine's Day. The lipstick is very creamy, meaning it doesn't last the longest but won't dry out your lips or leave them feeling tight like some matte lipsticks do. Red Carpet is a classic red and is a shade that I think would suit almost every skin tone. You may need to re-apply after eating or drinking, but it's a very easy lipstick to wear and doesn't need a lip liner.
Wet N Wild MegaLast Lipstick in Stoplight Red
This is the latest addition to my red lipstick collection, and has quickly become one of my favourites. Stoplight Red is a very bold and bright cool-toned red that is thick and creamy with a matte finish. The wear time on this lipstick is fantastic and has stood up well to eating and drinking. It leaves a slight stain behind once worn off, so if it does start to wear away you're not left with that unsightly ring on your inner lips. As every other lipstick obsessive will tell you, the packaging of this collection is horrible, I have to be extremely careful every time I put the lid back on not to take a chunk off the lipstick. But that issue aside, this really is an amazing product, especially for the price.
Lime Crime Velveteen in Red Velvet
If you're a lover of a fully opaque matte, liquid lipstick, this is the one for you. The shade is perfect for me; blue-toned but not too cool, highly pigmented so one swipe is all you need and it stays on through virtually anything. You may need to touch up after a meal, but drinks should be no problem. My lips do feel slightly dry after wearing this, but it's nothing that a heavy application of lip balm won't solve.
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GOSH Long Lasting Lip Marker in Berry Red
If you're not much of a fan of thick and heavy lipsticks, but would still like to partake in a bit of V-Day inspired make-up, this is the lip product for you. As its name would suggest, it is a felt pen style lip stain, and it stays on incredibly well. The application is something I'm a huge fan of, the nib of the pen is the perfect size, allowing you to get a precise line around the lips and also fill in your entire lip with ease. I've worn this alone, topped with gloss and even under a lip balm, and it's possibly the longest lasting of all of these lipsticks. Neither food or drink should be that much of a problem for you here, though I can't say if a bit of snogging would budge it or not.
OCC Lip Tar in Role Play
I'm a big fan of OCC Lip Tar's, they're super pigmented, you only need the tiniest amount and they stay on like a charm. Role Play is described as a "deep maroon with red pearl", and it's just as gorgeous on the lips as it looks in the tube. It has quite a strong mint scent, which personally I really like, though I know some people don't. If I use the Lip Tar Primer with Role Play I don't experience any drying of my lips, feathering or bleeding, but they all become an issue if I forget the primer. You'll need to touch up after eating with this one, but drinks shouldn't be an issue.
Barry M Loud Mouth in Tease
The first notable thing about the whole Loud Mouth collection is the scent, is smells heavily of peaches, so if that's not your thing you've been warned. The second thing is how similar they look to the old packaging of OCC Lip Tar's, and they're not too dissimilar. Although they're packaged like a gloss, you'd be in a bit of a mess if you used them in this way, they need to be used with a lip brush, and used sparingly, otherwise they will bleed and look messy. Tease is a gorgeous deep red, not quite a classic red but not as deep as maroon, it's a shade I love. As long as you don't apply too much drinking shouldn't cause you any problems, but you will need to re-apply after eating.
Links to products mentioned:
ELF Studio Moisturising Lipstick in Red Carpet - £3.95
Wet N Wild MegaLast Lipstick in Stoplight Red - unable to find a UK stockist
Wet N Wild MegaLast Lipstick in Stoplight Red - unable to find a UK stockist
Lime Crime Velveteen in Red Velvet - unable to find a UK stockist
GOSH Long Lasting Lip Marker in Berry Red - £6.99
GOSH Long Lasting Lip Marker in Berry Red - £6.99
No matter what your skin colour, I don't think you could go far wrong with any of these lipsticks, for Valentine's Day or any other day, they're all gorgeous and have their own merits. Of course there's nothing stopping you from wearing any lip colour that takes your fancy, I just thought I'd give you some good options, at different price points and with different finishes, that fitted with my idea of classic Valentine's Day make-up.
Will you be rocking a classic red lip for V-Day? Which lipstick is your go-to red?
