Uh? What? Can red lipstick ever go out of style? I mean, it’s only been around for some 500 years or so! And it’s the one classic in every fashionista’s handbag for that “I rock!” power moment. So, when I overheard a conversation between leading backstage makeup artists in London about how red lipstick was “so over”, I just ignored it! But then the same chatter was repeated in Milan and now Paris, making it increasingly difficult to plug my ears. That’s when I started looking closely at what the people-in-the-know were wearing, what the fashion campaign models are sporting (usually the best indication of a season’s top trends) and interrogating a zillion makeup artists from couture runways to high street shopping malls and the universal consensus it that red lipstick isn’t over per se… buts it’s definitely, um, “maturing”.
Fall-Winter’s new ‘It’ colour: As seen at Viktor & Rolf (L) and Gucci (R)
What this means is that it’s time to pack away that retro fire-engine red shade (which means shunting out half my dressing table) and instead stocking up on something bolder, darker, and sultrier – colours that almost border on goth. Look for deeper hues with a black or violet undertone for the right look, focussing on rich wines, merlots, chiantis, burgundies, cranberries and other vampy dark variations on blood red – all of which pack a punchy look that’s perfect for the depths of winter with our cosy knits and fur coats (faux of course).
The best thing about this colour is that you can pick your poison in terms of texture – anything goes! If you prefer the sheerness of a glossy stain, there are choices aplenty. Similarly, if a long lasting velvet-finish lipstick is your thing, there are some beautiful options to indulge your darker side. Want some suggestions? Here’s a short shortlist of great options:
Dior Rouge Dior Hypnotic Red, US$32
Estee Lauder Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick in Forbidden Apple, US$25
Will you be wearing one of these dark reds this season?
DIOR shade is seriously HYPNOTIC … am so swatching it next time
and my pick would be :
MAC DIVA Lipstick
NARS SCARLET EMPRESS
MAC Cult of Cherry Lipglass
a greatttt lip combo would be MAC nightmoth lip pencil and Russian Red , looks divine
lovely post Anubha but I would love to know your personal RETRO RED shade
These are fab ones and you do love MAC, don’t you?
I am personally a Tom Ford girl through and through where lipsticks are concerned… have gone through two tubes of his Cherry Lush already and wondering whether it’s time to experiment a little?
ahhahah anubha
… i know MAC is certainly not the best brands but in India we have very less choices 
i soooo wish to try TF makeup someday 
will def. ask you if i ever plan to splurge 
while writing this i googled and ohhhhh my my … cherry lush is soooooo pretty
Oooooh, I actually do love MAC. Absolutely and completely! PS: Check out TF True Coral
i am sold .. True Coral here i comeeeee
will let you know if i get my hands on the true beauty 
I’m so happy to see this particular deep red come in fashion! I love this shade, it lights up my green eyes!
Hi Tanveer, I just hopped over to your blog (it’s gorgeous!) and you have just the perfect eyes and skin for this season’s red lips! *deep envy*
Thanks a lot for those wonderful words Anubha
wish i had the ba**s to wear red…
Of course you can! I also used to be scared of red but have now discovered that every single woman can pull it off – it’s just about finding your correct shade. And doing some prep-work. Start with a red gloss to ease yourself in!
shade / brand suggestion please
Hmmm… I would say Clinique’s Butter Shine lipstick in Cranberry Cream or Apple Brandy. It’s pretty light but you can make it even more sheer by mixing with a transparent gloss or just patting on lightly with your fingers rather than applying straight from the tube. Let me know if you like them!