I'm known in The Debrief office to love a bold red lip - even though half way through the day it often ends up on my nose/earlobe. I spend a small fortune every month on a red lipstick to add to my collection of different shades from pink to orange to plum to browny red to my boyfriend’s dismay; who doesn’t quite understand that one red lipstick is not the same as the other one that to him looks quite identical.
A good red lipstick is always floating around in my coat pocket because you never know when you might need it to save the day, especially in the work place. So I'm hear to call out that myth that gasp you cannot wear red lipstick to work… How rebellious I am!
There are many many positives to rocking the rouge on any of week. Here's just some of them:
The Ultimate Hangover Disguise
I once read somewhere that Alexa Chung covers up her horrendous karaoke hangovers with a bright red lip and since then it firmly lodged in my brain. IF ALEXA DOES IT, THEN SO SHOULD I! Because maybe that small little trick is the secret to all her major life success? Yeah?
You Can Wear It With An Insanely Boring Outfit
A red lip looks better with an understated simple outfit. If you pair a red lip with something too bold or patterned or bright it can look a bit OTT, or a bit try hard. So the great thing is you can whack on a black polo neck and jeans, or a Breton top and black trousers, and hey presto: the compliments start rolling in.
READ MORE: 'From My 18th Birthday Party To My First Day At Work, Here's My Life In 114 Lipsticks'
It Looks Like You've Made An Effort, Without Making One
The best thing about wearing all-black-everything with a big bold red lip is that you look like you've made a huge effort when in reality you have made less effort. Doing a good lip (and I’m talking proper lip liner too so it looks perfect) can make you look like you've prepped your outfit, got up early, had a long breakfast, done the ironing and skipped into work. The reality is: you had a Mexican shower after a boozy night, but your face looks great.
**It Makes You Act Braver **
I'm a sucker for body language techniques and tips on what you say/how you say it affects what people think of you in the workplace. According to make-up artist Victoria Barnes: 'It's a great tool in the boardroom, or for public speaking, because it makes your mouth such a focal point. Red lipstick works if you really want to be listened to.' So put on that bold red lippy and boss it.
It Never Goes Out Of Fashion
If you don't have time to get your AW16 gear in your wardrobe post #LFW yet - then, who cares! Red lipstick is completely timeless and always classic. It'll also says you care about fashion without being swept in the trends, which is way cooler IMHO.
*Bourjois NEW Rouge Edition Aqua Laque Liquid Lipstick, is available in tonnes of reds, pinks and nudes, to suit whatever you’re up to. They’re available from Boots and Boots.co.uk, £8.99 each *
**Like This? You Might Also Be Interested In: **
The Under-Eye Concealers That Will Truly Mask Your Hard Partying
Follow Emma On Twitter: @girllostincity
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.