Get Up Edina!

I love red. I'm sure you can tell. I post a lot of red items on this site. I've been known for my signature red lipstick and red nails since I was about 15 years old. However, I get A LOT of people asking me, "How do you pull it off??" Easy. You have to find a good red for you. Easier said than done, right? Well, not so much. Hopefully I can give you ladies out there a good starting point to get some touches of red. First rule of thumb for red lipstick - go for a "blue based" red. Usually, if you talk with a sales associate, they can direct you to a blue-based red. Blue-based reds look good on almost every complexion as they seem a little more adult than orange-reds or pinky-reds. Blue-reds are neutral and don't overwhelm your features. You'll want to find a matte consistancy. Why? Mattes stay put. Reds that have a gloss to them can look great at first, but they may have a potential to fade and feather, which isn't pretty. A little shine is no big deal, but these lipsticks may need a little more maitenence than a pure matte (I'll list one for an example). Finally - lipliner! Lipliner is necessary! Lipliner should be an invisible boundry for you lipstick, keeping it in place and subtely defining your lips. With red lipstick, you need a lipliner that matches or is very slightly darker. The ones I'm listing match the lipstick I use well, but you may decide you need a different shade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Properly applying lipstick: 1) Take care of your lips! Go to bed every night with lip moisturizer on. 2) "Brush your lips". Take your toothbrush and brush off all excess skin on your lips, so you don't have any weird flakey things going on. 3) Line your lips. This may take some practice! This fences your lipstick in. 4) Apply. I personally apply my lipstick straight from the tube. This'll take practice, too! 5) Blot. Blot off all the excess. You don't want this on your fella or your glass, fork, dog, cat...whatever. Some people puff powder on through a one-ply piece of tissue, as well. 6) Line again. Even out those lips! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This'll take some time to get used to, but once you do, you'll be glad you practiced!

Clinique's "Vintage Red" At Clinique This has been a long stand by for me since I was about 16 years old. When I found out that it had been discontinued, I was devastated! I've bought up a bunch of tubes, but I've also looked into other reds, for when these run out. That's how I fould all these other great reds! This red is a blue red with a slight gloss to it. It does need to be blotted quite a bit, as it can run. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: Pretty bad - comes off pink Feathering Factor: If not blotted and lined properly, mediocre Gloss: Medium Overall?: The color and consistency makes this one a winner!

Benefit's "Bachelor Pad" At Benefit This one isn't as brown as the picture makes it look, but it is great for the office! A little less of a statement than most real reds. Definitely one to have for more casual events. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: Pretty bad - comes off pink Feathering Factor: If not blotted and lined properly, mediocre Gloss: Medium Overall?: The color and consistency makes this one a winner!

Maybelline's 16-hour "Flame" At Drugstore.com I was hesitant when I first tried this, since I had used Max Factor's permanent lipstick when it first came out. That was extremely drying, thick, and felt like paint on my lips. When I first tried this, I loved it! Just make sure you put it on EVENLY or you may get some streaks. The gloss is a bit sticky, but once you get rid of the excess, it's great. Perfect for events where there'll be a lot of kissing, or you won't have time to touch up your lipstick! I do recommend using a light liner to help guide you so you're even (look below), and make sure you get the removal gloss. Try "Wine" if "Flame" is too light for you, or if you have a darker complexion. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: NONE!! Feathering Factor: NONE! Gloss: The gloss to this is really shiny - wipe off excess Overall?: Fantastic - occasionally. kind of a pain for every day wear. Could get expensive since not much is in the tube.

M.A.C's "Russian Red" At MAC A cult classic. I can see why, now! I just got my first tube of this, and this is the perfect blue red. What's even better is that you can return it if it's not for you. How great is that? Also, it's not as pink as the picture makes it seem - check the store for the real thing! Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: light. Feathering Factor: medium - beware of drinking out of glasses to prevent "joker mouth". Gloss: Matte. Overall?: Wonderful - a perfect red.

M.A.C's "Viva Glam" At MAC I got this MAC lipstick originally, but it was much too dark for me. If Russian Red is too light for you, try Viva Glam. It's a tad darker than Russian Red, and better for you girls who aren't as pale as I am. Color: Blue Red Kiss-off Factor: light. Feathering Factor: medium - beware of drinking out of glasses to prevent "joker mouth". Gloss: Matte. Overall?: Wonderful - a perfect red, I recommend it for darker skintones.

Lola's "Sweet Love" At Lola Slightly expensive, but the color is great and the packaging with the little flip mirror in the top of the cap is genius. I don't think it's quite worth the money, but this may be your perfect red lipstick! Color: Blue-ish Wine Red Kiss-off Factor: medium Feathering Factor: low Gloss: light gloss Overall?: Great! Except for the price...

Rimmel's Exaggerate Lipliner "Red Diva" At Walgreen's Color: Very versatile blue-red Kiss-off Factor: low Feathering Factor: it's a lipliner. Gloss: light gloss Overall?: My favorite lipliner. I've used it successfully with all the lipsticks listed above. Cheap and long lasting!

CoverGirl Lipslicks "Daring" At Walgreen's Color: sheer red pink Kiss-off Factor: low Feathering Factor: low Gloss: light gloss Overall?: great for a little color, especially if getting ready quickly.

Maybelline Wet Shine Fusion"Very Cherry" At Walgreen's Color: sheer red pink Kiss-off Factor: medium Feathering Factor: low Gloss: medium gloss Overall?: great for a touch of color, and very low maintenence!! Great buy

Having a manicure always makes you seem a little bit more professional, a little bit more put together, and a little bit more feminine. It shows that you care about the details. It shows that you take care of yourself. You don't have to go to the salon and waste $40 on something you can do at home at your own leisure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Take off all old polish. 2) Cut, file, and even out nails. Frito nails are disgusting. (think Tracy Morgan in the "Corn Chip Nail Tips" SNL skit) 3) Get a four sided buffing block or file (Ms. Manicure sells them for 99c each!!) and at least even them out and buff them. The last two steps are optional. 4) Swipe some nail polish remover across nails to get rid of excess oil. 5) Do one coat, let thoroughly dry (this is why manicures can look gross, when the first layer doesn't dry all the way it goes to crap). Do another coat. 6) Top coat. let that dry. 7) Put on some cuticle cream like Lush's Lemony Flutter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now that that's all taken care of, here's some great polishes that are affordable!

Rimmel 60 Seconds Vinyl Shine "Rapid Ruby" (not pictured) At Walgreen's Color: Deep Scarlet Chip Factor: medium Drying Speed: fast Days before chipping: 3 days or so Overall?: Great for a cheap fix or a fast manicure. I do think you should wait more than 60 seconds between coats, though. Decent value.

Rimmel Lycra Wear "Fever" At Walgreen's Color: Blue Red Chip Factor: low Drying Speed: slow Days before chipping: 5 days or so Overall?: Decent for the price - keeps for a couple days before chipping starts creeping up on you..

Sally Hansen No Chip 10-Day Nail Color"Resilient Red" At Walgreen's Color: Red, Red, Red. Chip Factor: very low Drying Speed: slow Days before chipping: 7 days or so Overall?: absolutely fantastic - nearly makes the promise as advertised. I'm very hard on my hands though, so it may make it for you!