Red lipstick for beauty beginners? Absolutely. Here’s your comprehensive guide to picking, applying and wearing the heck out of a classic red lip. Posts on Below Freezing Beauty may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
One day, I floated an innocent question on Instagram:
What’s keeping you from trying red lipstick?
It turns out there are a ton of people out there who love the look of red lipstick but have been too intimidated to wear it for lots of reasons. And you asked great questions: How do I know which red looks good on me? How do I keep it off my teeth? How do I stop it from feathering? What kind of lipstick do I buy?
I love a classic red lip, and I want everyone who loves the look to feel confident enough to try it out for themselves. So, guided by the questions from my friends and readers, I put together this guide. In the posts linked below, you’ll find a collection of almost everything I know about how to select, apply and wear red lipstick (or any other color you like).

Step 1: Prep & Prime
If you want to paint a masterpiece, you have to start with a perfectly prepped canvas. Dry, flaky lips are the kiss of death for lip color, especially when you’re trying to pull off something bold like classic red lipstick. In this post, you’ll get recommendations for products and techniques that will get your lips ready for prime time.
Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

How do you know which red is right for you? It seems like there are a million options… and there are. Check out this post for advice on picking the perfect shade of red lipstick to complement your skin tone and personal beauty style.
Photo by Adrienne Andersen from Pexels

Step 3: Apply Red Lipstick Like A Pro
When you put on red lipstick, you want it to stay on. Fortunately there are some easy things you can do to help keep your lip color in place so you don’t have to worry about reapplying too often. In this post, you’ll get a step-by-step visual guide to applying your lipstick (and lip liner!) so it stays put.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
What’s keeping you from trying red lipstick? What’s missing from this guide? Drop me a line and let me know!