My red lipstick collection

I've put myself on a makeup buying ban for a couple of months, focusing on using what I already have.  I thought this would be a good opportunity to share with you the things I already have in my stash.  It'll also help me see what my collection is missing.  This post will be on red lipsticks.

Urban Decay Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Colour in Theodora

This lip pencil came in the limited edition Theodora palette.  It's a  true cherry red, which has very subtle shimmer.  As it's a very neutral red, it's one that will work on most skin tones.  It applies opaquely, and, as the name suggests, with a glossy finish.  It's really comfortable and moisturising to wear, however the slippy formula means that it is prone to smudging.

Guerlain Rouge G in Garconne

This is one of my all time favourite lipsticks.  Garconne is a bright, blue toned red, that looks great against cooler skin tones.  It applies smoothly, and opaquely, with a beautiful cream finish.  It's really comfortable to wear, and staying power is great.

Guerlain Rouge G L'Extrait in Colire

This lipstick was my first liquid lipstick, and it was definitely a good choice!  Colire is a bright red with slight coral undertones.  Another opaque lipstick, this dries down to a comfortable modern matte finish.  Staying power is great, and if I need a red lipstick that's going to stick around all day, this is the one I reach for. 

Dior Diorific lipstick in Diorling 

Another blue toned cherry red, Diorling is a little darker than Garconne.  Opaque with a cream finish, this is another comfortable lipstick to wear, that has good staying power.

NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Vixen

A deep red with brown undertones, this lipstick was part of my 'prefect dark red lipstick' series.  I love the colour, but the slippery formula didn't win any points from me.  Read the full review here.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Rouge Noir
Another from 'the perfect dark red lipstick' search, Rouge Noir is the closest I've come to finding 'the one'.  A brown toned dark red, this lipstick isn't as scary on as it looks in the tube.  Find my full review here.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Black Dahlia

Another dark red, this one leans more purple than brown.  Opacity is buildable, and staying power is good.  For the full review, click here.

From left to right: Urban Decay Theodora, Guerlain Garconne, Guerlain Colire, Dior Diorling, NYX Vixen, Chanel Rouge Noir, OCC Black Dahlia.

I think what I'm missing is a sheerer, more subtle red!  What's your favourite red lipstick?

Berry lips FOTD

A really simple look today, I used Urban Decay's Theodora palette, which has some of my favourite brown shadows, and OCC lip tar in Black Dahlia.  The lips are really the focus of this look.  Very much in an autumn mood!

Products Used

Face

YSL Touche E'clat foundation (BR10)

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural (light)

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift (white and light 1)
Illamasqua Naked Rose blush

Eyes
Urban Decay Theodora palette (Broken, Beware, and Bewitch)
Illamasqua Sophie pencil
Benefit They're Real mascara

Lips
MAC Currant lip liner
OCC Lip Tar in Black Dahlia

The search for the perfect dark red lipstick - OCC Black Dahlia

With days getting darker and gloomier, my desire for that perfect dark red lip grows.  Next up on my list to try is Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Lip Tarr in Black Dahlia.  I've been eyeing this up for a while now, along with a couple of other colours.  For whatever reason, I've not tried Lip Tarrs before, and to be honest I was kind of nervous about trying them, as I'd heard that they can be a little tricky to apply.

Luckily I had nothing to worry about, and I didn't struggle with application at all.  The lip brush that came with it was pretty much un-usable, as the brush hairs were covered in dried on glue.  This didn't really bother me that much as I would have probably used my own lip brush anyway (I use Real Technique's Detailer Brush).  You only need a tiny amount at a time, but so long as you build the colour up gradually, there are no problems with applying it.  In fact, this gives you greater control over the colour you achieve.  Below are three pictures, starting with just one sheer layer, then two coats, then, finally three coats.

1 coat, applied as more of a stain

2 coats

3 coats

As you can see, as scarily dark as Black Dahlia looks in the tube, it can easily be made more wearable by being worn as more of a stain.  It's a dark purple-toned red, which can either be a berry stain, or a vampy dark red, with a slightly glossy finish.

Staying power is great as a stain, but I found that once I built up to three coats, the darkest colour, it didn't properly dry down.  It did however fade evenly, and after about 4 hours had worn down to the stain you see in the first picture.

The formula wasn't drying, but you'll want to make sure you exfoliate and moisturise your lips before you apply.  As with most dark colours, it looks better if you use a lip liner.

So is this the red I've been looking for?  Not quite.  It's a little too purple for what I'm looking for.  But is this a great fall lip colour that I'll be reaching for again?  Most definitely!