Red Lipstick: Personal Story, History & How To Find The Right Shade For Everyday Use

Red is a beast. Painting your lips red can feel like inviting that beast straight into your bedroom. I’ve had a turbulent relationship with red lipstick myself, and it amazes me now to realise that I was actually braver wearing it at eighteen than I am in my thirties.

For many years, I avoided red lips altogether. I was convinced it was simply too much for me. At some point, that belief settled in so deeply that I decided red just wasn’t my colour. I turned to pinks, browns, and mauves instead — but if I’m honest, the satisfaction never really came.

After many years, I slowly began wearing red lipstick again. Bit by bit. Starting with gloss, then satin, and eventually matte. And I fell in love with it all over again.

Everyone can wear red lipstick.

In this article, we’ll briefly explore the history of red lips, the psychological impact red lipstick has on people, and how to introduce it into your own life — choosing the right shade for your Zazu Feu colour type.

Red Lips As A Symbol Of Freedom

It’s often said that the man with the tiny black moustache despised red lips. He disliked makeup in general, preferring women to look quiet, natural, and unremarkable. And perhaps that is exactly why red lipstick became such a quiet form of defiance.

Women didn’t reserve red lips for the evening. They wore them during the day, as part of everyday life. At the time, red lipstick wasn’t automatically linked to vulgarity or excess. No one wanted to share the aesthetic —or ideological — views of that ugly man or the regime he represented.

I remember it as if it were yesterday. Spring had arrived, most likely May, and my friend and I were walking home from university when she asked, almost out of nowhere, “Aren’t you scared of wearing red lipstick?”

Scared? I thought. Red had always drawn glances, yes, but I had never imagined it could carry danger.

“Yes,” she continued. “My friend wore red lips once, and some strange old lady on the bus scolded her for it.”

This was about 2010. The world had moved on. Mars was being explored. And yet, somewhere, a senior woman decided that her opinion mattered so much that she could cast it like a shadow onto someone else.

I don’t think that girl ever dared to wear red lipstick again.

It all feels uncomfortably relevant today, in a world once again marked by aggressive division, alienation between nations, immigration crises, and war. Beauty, like everything else, never exists in a vacuum.

For me, red lips symbolise something larger than fashion. They represent the idea that no one has the right to dictate how you should look, what you should wear, or how you should live your life. In that sense, red lipstick is a symbol of the free world — of freedom of expression, personal agency, and the quiet courage of being yourself.

If you want to wear red lipstick, you should do it today.

But how to choose the right shade, when there're so many and it's so tricky?

How To Choose Right Shade Of Red Lipstick

Whether you choose red lipstick for a special event or for everyday wear, the principle is always the same: find the shades that belong to you — and stay loyal to them.

If you don’t, a funny thing can happen: the red will just “sit” on top of your face. If it’s the wrong shade, it might look perfect for an advertisement, but it won’t enhance your natural features: your smooth skin and your clear eyes. People may not even notice you, though they will remember that you wore red lipstick. That's it. It's equal to being an apparition with red lips. Sounds more alluring than it is.

The safest trick if you’re unsure of your colour type is to go for a classic, neutral red — neither blue nor yellow. It makes a bold statement, even if it’s not perfectly tailored to your skin tone, and it sits harmoniously on the face without clashing. In fact, it’s the only shade of red that truly works on everyone.

For Periwinkle or Buttercup types, a neutral mid-tone red is the darkest you should go for; it will look elegant. But for a more naturally integrated look, it's better to stick to lighter shades: warmer reds for Buttercup, cooler reds for Periwinkle.

Columbine and Marigold can carry slightly deeper or darker reds, but temperature is key. Columbine should avoid warm, orange or brown tones, while Marigold should steer clear of cool, berry shades.

As for Hellebore and Rudbeckia, the same principles apply as with Columbine and Marigold, but you can safely go for the richest, darkest shades. Lighter reds of Buttercup and Periwinkle will almost disappear on you, unable to match the depth and intensity of your complexion and eyes.

You’ll find more information about suitable colours in Zazu Feu’s guidebooks. Take our free colour test, and explore the book to discover a wealth of advice on your colours, styles, make-up, jewellery, hair shades, and even examples from celebrities.

If you’re unsure, or would like a more personalised approach, Zazu Feu also offers paid services, ranging from essential analysis to full luxury package.