Does a red lip REALLY make you look put together?

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Why a red lip isn't working for you:
• why a red lip isn't wo...
Elegant looks for the body types:
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[@michellef3123]

Choosing the correct shade of red to your seasonal colour is definitely important too

[@M00coww1]

There's so many different shades of red, but knowing if you're cool/warm/neutral can help find the shade of red that is best for you indeed. Even if you're not big into hardcore color analysis.

[@danyf.1442]

I think a red lip can go with outfits that are not "too put together" too (avoiding as Merriam said to attract attention to the small imperfect details) when it's just applied thinly, blotted and smudged a bit with a finger without crisp edges. This way the whole look has an effortless and cool vibe imho and I really like it.

[@cozymoggele]

that's how I apply all colors tbh >w< I feel like the boldness isn't flattering on me somehow

[@randomnyss2011]

That's how i put any lipstick to not look so staggeringly odd

[@lilithowl]

Agreed!

[@x381]

If you feel like a classic red lip doesn’t look good on you, maybe try a blurred version of a red lip. Instead of the harsh lip line, the blurred lip line looks much more natural

[@BethanyMacmanusBooks]

As a kibbe soft classic, soft summer, this is so true for me.

[@kathystclair9485]

I have mentioned before under your red lip video, i would never feel good in bright red. However, my daughter who 99% of the time never wears any makeup. When it's a special occasion and she has red lipstick she looks amazing. She does have larger round eyes, with a small shape, but full lips. Though my lips are naturally red, i still don't feel good in a bright red lip.

[@RoxzRay]

The disharmony theory makes a lot of sense to me, it's the reason I buy dresses yet most of the time never wear them. I feel like if I wear a dress, the standard for my hair and makeup needs to be higher. A lot of people don't get it when I say this though, but I feel like it's the same principle as what you're talking about.

[@carm9716]

And not only do you have to raise the standard for everything else in your look, you have to maintain it throughout the day and repeat it everyday.

[@seabreeze4559]

formality scale I call it

[@KDbelieves]

Merriam, I just want to say that your hair looks AMAZING. It's the PERFECT length, and the bottom-heavy curls is the cherry on top.

[@Strawberryjasmindoll]

I couldn't agree more! If the red lip creates disharmony in your look then maybe you should go for something else. Maybe having it smudged or not as sharp and vibrant would be nice, i find that making it look effortless and not too visible is the best option!

[@sugarplumk2381]

I agree with you. So glad you’re talking about this. I follow a French KZbinr who says there’s a red lip colour that looks good on everyone. I know I could wear a blue based red but I would feel uncomfortable. I’d feel a bit tarty I think. It’s just not me and I don’t think it suits everyone. I have very soft, rounded features and it’s just a bit too much for me, I think anyway.

[@SonyaOpritova]

For me, red lipstick is a mood booster. When the world around me is of certain colors - around November - when a certain shade of red lipstick makes me happy. And now I’m wondering if she emphasizes my imperfections. I’m glad that in Sweden the preferred aesthetics give a lot of space for naturalness and imperfections)

[@Spikypotato.]

8:28 This.💯 I remember a lady at a wedding that had a beautiful green shimmering evening gown, floor length- and she had her hair completly unstyled (think john lennon:ish, long frizzy, homecut with bangs). And zero makeup. If she had had at least a couple of drops of hairoil on her lengths, a luminous foundation, it MIGHT have worked as somewhat ethereal. But all I could see was the lack of effort. A pretty dress can’t put together that…

[@carolyngracetoday]

some people choose a “brown red “ when they need a cool red instead

[@LittleMissHoop]

I was dying for a photo example Merriam! PS Love what you are saying tho

[@bellissimoa]

Thanks for a good video with practical advice. Don't forget that climate has a lot to do with how we make up! A red lip may look good in Paris but may seem really overdone in South Florida where I live.

[@meepmoopmeep1]

I think everyone can wear a red lip, but not necessarily a fire engine red, super saturated, crisply defined, very matte red. There is so much variety when it comes to tone, opacity, and finish of a red lip. I do believe that there is something out there for everyone!

[@Nomad.Hawk_87]

Yep, your video resonates... the red is so defined and precise, it requires a similar level of attention and definition on the rest of the appearance... totally agree, Merriam !

[@caroltaylor4282]

I love seeing the red lip when it’s the focal point that harmonizes with the skin tone and neutral coloured clothing.

[@Evie1947]

Really helpful video, i always wondered why i steamed off red lip with my usual looks, despite looking good in it. Makes sense, i just dress too casual for it. When red lip was popular in the past, it was when fashion was very manicured, and now it's not like this.

[@sugarplumk2381]

I’ve never thought about it that way. I’ll watch your red lip video. Thank you!

[@anaelauve8070]

Completely agree. Color seasons aside- red is a lip color that shows any imperfections in application. One needs to take the time to apply it flawlessly

[@paritejdan]

That makes perfect sense! ❤ great video! 🫶

[@Marsolan]

I have a crazy request 🤣🤣to talk about who can pull off open toes shoes without nail polish on:))))

[@NiinaSKlove]

Yes to all of this! I think a good alternative to a "classic" red lip is a muted pink/brown with some clear lipgloss on top. Or just some clear lipgloss. A bit of neutral eyeshadow, a hint of mascara, and some gently filled-in eyebrows. And also, a hint of blush does wonders! At least for me. I am a minimal makeup girl (partly because of laziness) but also because I don't like the feeling of having makeup on, especially foundation. - The fresh-faced look always looks effortless on me. It's a look I can actually pull off. And occasionally, I will pull out the eyeliner and the shimmer lipgloss, the most excellent powder I've got, and some colorful eyeshadows. But that's for special occasions and for the days where I actually feel like spending more than ten to fifteen minutes on my makeup :)

[@ginadelfina5887]

“The people that works for are.. already put together” - oh my goodness you really crack me up :). Your videos always have one two one-liners that are so funny. That one and “I don’t care if you look put together”!

[@heart12361]

I agree with everything you said, Merriam.

[@Marsolan]

I absolutely agree as I have witnessed this phenomenon on myself many many times. Red lip would make my natural bone structure, messy hair, linen clothing of balance.

[@Marsolan]

You have a brilliant mind!! Excellent video!!❤❤❤

[@Rachael91]

Hi Merriam, please can you do a Shop With Me on some British retailers e.g. Next or M&S. Thanks!

[@karenhanson359]

Merriam your content is great and I love the way you as a physics major approach things so analytically. My feedback to you (and of course do with it what you will) after many years as a subscriber - is to upgrade your lighting and add more lighting when you film. Your channel is much darker than the more established channels on KZbin & it might dissuade viewers. It will help give what you’re saying more credibility and show that you have a more longstanding channel and subscriber base vs. someone just starting out. Light up your face a bit more and maybe even have the camera zoom in slightly on you so you take up more of the frame. People need to hear and see your content and I think these adjustments will help! I’ve thought about mentioning this for years and didn’t want to be critical, but I finally decided to say something because I think it will help ❤

[@Rena-eg6bm]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I look clownish with red lip!

[@user-gy3fj1gt9i]

I think red lip (specially true red shade) suits very few people. It has to match your coloring and body type, which rarelly happens. And as you said, it may make other flaws more evident than they were befote. It can also be innapropriate sometimes, for example red lip at work place or in nature. I think it is actually really hard to wear it succesfully

[@darlamerrill8052]

We have small lips. But, it didn't matter with her it looked so nice.❤

[@sim771]

I’m someone who can wear red lipstick and weird colours, even black and pull them off. What I can’t really wear is nude beige like many women can, it washes me out and I need some colour even if that colour is brown. What I will say about red (or any lipstick) is if it feathers and bleeds and gets on your teeth then no matter your essence, body type or colour season, it will look off. Smokey eyes look good worn in but messed up lipstick does not

[@sim771]

I’m a sharp bone structure (dramatic i think) with ethereal/ingenue?/dramatic essence (i look young for my age so idk the full blend. So I think the sharper lines mixed with the softness helps

[@luluesparza7360]

Thank you!

[@Celeste-.-marie]

This might be why i cant get on board with a winter colored lip as a winter. My style is casual and sporty and a bright lip just doesnt match.

[@audrey9able]

Knightley and Johnson on the thumbnail are straight up wearing orange looking red lipsticks😢 And those were the wrong shades for them. I think they have worn red before but not that shade of bright orange red😶

[@LaLaLo]

Absolutely agree on this! Im SN type and i use red lipstick only when everything else is spotless and i need that extra attention on a special day.

[@diabolique5325]

Thank you for your tip.❤

[@sonder2874]

I have such trouble when choosing lip shades. It always tends to look like the lip is wearing me instead of it blending in nicely with the rest of my outfit😭 I do agree with merriam on this, and I’ve noticed myself that the ‘red lip makes you look put together’ advice doesn’t really work for me

[@raylin2057]

This explains a lot! Thank you!

[@LaurenCarman]

I told something similar to my guy friend about his flashy car. A flashy car is cool and all that (not my thing), but when the driver pulls up to a run-down living space and is in shabby clothes, the car starts to look off and it's trying to be something it's not. Style (to me) is holistic.

[@RuffiRaggaMuff]

A red lip looks polished when the fit is polished. It’s an accessory just like a headband doesn’t look suit a giant forehead.

[@yaysoocool]

Love the commentary ❤

[@mofetabionica]

I'm a DC and have sharp facial features. I look AMAZING with red lips.

[@arachnid33]

Yes sometimes a red lip can really cheapen someone’s appearance. I always say this to my kids the best thing you can do for your appearance is just be clean. Honestly. Hygiene is so underrated.

[@El-lee-nor]

Absolutely! I think I am one of the lucky ones that looks good in a red lip. The flipside of this was spending the 90s not being able to wear hectic dark graphic eyeshadow/liner. However, I do a lot of prep so that the red lip doesn't bleed and I find I need good skin prep, at least a bit of concealer and nicely curled lashes + mascara. Dita Von Teese talks about the French 'myth' of throwing on a red lip and comments 'I disagree, it has to be perfect'.

[@merriamstyle]

yes so true!

[@cathy3937]

So true! I love a red lip only when I'm fresh from the sàlon! Just realized it!

[@darlamerrill8052]

My mom was all french and she looked perfectly natural everyday with it , I'm pretty sure she would have looked off in pink or any other color. I've tried to do it but that bright red that she wore doesn't look good on me. I have to soften it down , mute it I guess.😊

[@preciousgem881]

Red lipstick has never suited me but a raspberry lipstick give me the red lip effect but looks much better being slightly more pink

[@franci-uz]

Can a soft natural wear red lips? Blurred ones or sharp ones?

[@laylamaria1457]

I have round eyes, full...ish lips and I think soft or not prominent cheekbones but i don't like the red lips on me because my mouth looks big when I smile and I have gummy smile, I am also olive skin.

[@ThePaintFrenzy]

Knee highs, open toed shoes, pajamas and a red lip… go! 🚦😂🎉

[@nicholev]

As a high contrast hazel eyed pale olive girl with FN prominent bone structure, a red lip always looks terrible on me haha. If I use a shade that’s almost the same as my actual lip colour I look reasonable, not even better, just okay. But the “classic reds” I get taken to clown mode immediately - even if my eye makeup is perfectly accomodating and minimal. Boom, clown mode. Just doesn’t work for me. So I actually avoid wearing lipstick altogether. Rip.

[@caress8973]

Love wearing a blue toned red lip when I'm wearing a black outfit. Makes me feel put together and my teeth look whiter. However, i don't agree with your statement regarding hair.

[@gam9918]

❤❤❤

[@SaadetOZTRK]

i love a red lip on me

[@SaadetOZTRK]

its probably because my face has practically no sharpness, basically a boneless face

[@SaadetOZTRK]

but again this video makes so much sense

[@Daiseehead]

Same here! 😂I have zero angles on my face. I agree that this video was very helpful. Just gotta make sure my hair and clothes look polished 😊

[@GI-uw6tw]

I think a red lip looks really nice on a much older woman. Under 45? Not so much.

[@Caulchella]

Hard agree

[@cecilyerker]

I feel like a red lip looks too formal and mature on me. I have recently started buying a lot of nude lipsticks.

[@joanbaczek2575]

I’m olive and red lip looks stupid on me, I have angular face med wide lip

[@merriamstyle]

I have another video on the red lip that discusses just this! that angular facial features can tend to make a red lip more difficult to pull off.

[@neon.neutral]

Could you talk about being put together and whats that all about? 😂 But seriously some insight into this would be helpful

[@yomnahossam6773]

There is a red for every skin undertone. And as to bone structure,I’ve never seen any woman of any single bone structure not looking amazing in her shade of red when pairing it with the right style.

[@merriamstyle]

This is probably because the women who are not flattered by a red lip don't tend to wear one.