How to get a perfectly messy red lip

Jeanne Damas red lip

OK, excuse the click-baity title, what I mean is a not-perfect, slighty-smudgy, stainy red lip. I’m getting there, but the ultimate tutorial is here, by the girl who does it best, Jeanne Damas. She’s French of course…

Step one Apply lip balm. Jeanne uses Nuxe Reve de Miel which I concur is excellent. Clarins Extra-Firming Lip and Contour Balm is also fantastic (I’ve just run out), as is La Mer The Lip Balm. If you know a cheaper dupe, let me know. I find stick balms a bit too dry and squeezy ones a tad oily – they’re better for later in the day when your lippie’s faded and you want to sheer it out.

Step two Dab on the lipstick using your finger. Don’t be too neat. I’m currently rotating between the Victoria Beckham X Estee Lauder in Chilean Sunset, Chanel Rouge Feu, YSL Rouge Pur Couture Pur The Mats in 201 and H&M cream lipstick in Pomegranate. (Jeanne uses MAC mixed with other brands). Tom Ford’s new Lips & Boys colors are out now if you’re into teeny lippies. I like Rafael.

Step three So this is where I’ve been going wrong. I usually apply the lipstick quite precisely and sparingly, then blur the edges with a cotton bud. Jeanne goes in messy with the lipstick (and lots of it), then adds some Micellar Water to her cotton bud and tidies the edges.

The other thing is to keep the rest of the makeup minimal. This is great if you have good skin. If not, use whatever you need to even out the skintone, but I think it’s good to have a bit of shine glow so you’re not too ‘done’. I wouldn’t add blusher or much eye makeup. Maybe some mascara. Voila!

Jeanne damas in a messy red lip by Diego Zuko

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WORDS: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl
IMAGES: Jeanne Damas; Diego Zuko/Collage Vintage
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