How To Choose The Perfect Red Lipstick To Pair With A Red Dress

Ready to channel your inner lady in red? Vivid red garments are perennial favorites, from staple red sweaters to the easy pop of color provided by red accessories. Even LBDs can move over to make room for the rise of the LRD — aka, the little red dress. No matter how you wear it, red is a daring yet reliable choice for the bold fashionista, letting you invigorate your wardrobe with a splash of tempting color. However, red is also a statement-making hue that can quickly clash with other shades. This begs the question: How do you style the rest of your look to match a red outfit?

Well, you can always go all out with a full face of cherry-red makeup. But more often than not, it's enough to compliment your red gown with an equally saturated lip. Red lipstick with a red dress is an obvious go-to — the trick is finding the perfect shade that harmoniously completes your ensemble. Contrary to popular belief, the best lipstick for your red dress may not be a direct match, but one that's a little bit deeper and darker.

When you want to accent your red dress with an equally vibrant and juicy red lip, choosing a matching hue may seem like a no-brainer. However, this matchy-match approach can rob your look of nuance and overwhelm the eye, taking your ensemble from daring and impactful to simple and blunt. That's why opting for a red lipstick that's a few shades darker than your dress can be more sleek and dynamic.

Varying your red hues with moodier lipstick serves a dual purpose, highlighting your pout and adding attractive gradation to the overall effect. And you don't have to overdo this differential — you just want to give your lips a subtle depth to keep the look from becoming flat and monotonous. For instance, ground the candy apple red of your dress with a slightly deeper crimson lip. Or dial into the existing richness of a jammy red gown by pairing it with lipstick in hues of luscious wine. Even if your lipstick is barely darker, it will subconsciously draw the eye of onlookers and offer a tasteful accent to your red garments.

When coordinating a red-on-red look, don't forget to consider the undertone of the shades you're pairing. Any red shade other than true, primary red, will have a little bit of other colors in the mix, impacting how the hues play together. Some reds, like scarlet or poppy, will have a warmer, slightly orangey feel due to a yellow undertone. Others, like garnet, will skew cooler due to the presence of blue.

If you want your dress and lipstick to offer a smooth transition, explore colors in the same temperature range — i.e., a warm red lipstick to go with a warm red dress or a cool red lippie with a cool red dress. However, you can also use contrast to your advantage. A red lip with cool undertones can bring some sophistication to a spicy look, like a dress in loud fire engine red. Meanwhile, a warm red lip can add a dash of vim and vigor to a more restrained outfit. Consider what effect you're trying to create and take your cue accordingly. And, when in doubt, it never hurts to give the pairing a test run in the privacy of your own home, getting a good look at how the color combo performs in both natural and artificial lighting.