5 Unusual Red Lip Makeup Looks For Valentine's Day

Red lips for a romantic encounter may be standard thanks to Hollywood icons from Marilyn Monroe to Marlene Dietrich, but it's always fun to shake things up with your makeup for a special occasion. This Valentine's Day, try a red lip with a fresh twist that's sure to turn a few heads, whether you're out or at home.

The Ombré Red Lip

If a standard crimson lip seems a bit too staid for Valentine's Day, try its edgy new interpretation: the ombre red lip. The look starts with a deep plum or burgundy liner to outline the lip, followed by a matching shade of lipstick. To complete the look, use a lighter crimson shade at the center of the top and bottom lip, and blend well. The effect is both unexpected and beautiful, perfect for an unconventional Valentine's Day look.

The Flame-Red Lip

If you loved 2013's orange lipstick trend, try adding a twist by choosing a red shade with orange undertones. A bright orange-red shade will pop against most skin tones, and draw eyes straight to your lips. For a sharp, clean look, line lips with a slightly exaggerated cupid's bow and fill in with a corresponding lipstick.

The Stamped-On Matte Red Lip

As opposed to going high-shine with your red lipstick, try a subtler interpretation and keep your lipstick matte. For a show-stopping Old Hollywood effect, first exfoliate lips, and apply a lipliner to mark the outer lines of lips, filling in with a lipstick of the same shade. Blot, and add another layer of lipstick for color that will stay put throughout your Valentine's activities.

The Golden Red Lip

If you're after a high impact look on Valentine's Day, go for the gold with a metallic red lip. While we're not suggesting you try the painted-on glitter of Fashion Weeks past, but injecting some golden shimmer into a red lip gives it a distinctive iridescent sheen. The look is best achieved with a long-lasting red lipstick, paired with a golden gloss, or a creamy red lipstick infused with subtle golden shimmer like Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Color in Inimitable.

The Smudgy Stained Red Lip

Red lipstick has a bad reputation for being incredibly high-maintenance and an absolute disaster for food-related occasions. But, if executed in the correct way, the look can be nearly as casual as a swipe of Chapstick. The latest style in insouciant makeup is smudging, from Kristen Stewart's perennially smokey eyes to a carelessly draw lip. For a look that's relaxed without approaching Courtney Love territory, try prepping lips with balm and applying a stroke of lipstick to the very center of the lip, then blending outward with your finger. It's the makeup equivalent of scribbling outside the lines, but all grown up.

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