SHARK TANK APPROVED 
For years I avoided wearing any shade of red. It felt like the color was a wild cheetah; much too sleek for me and potentially destructive if I go close. I cried when a friend picked out red bridesmaid dresses for her wedding, sabotaged an interview to intern at Disney World when I found out we would be required to wear a red t-shirt daily, and I vowed I would never touch red lipstick.
Why did I feel this way? Because someone, somewhere told me, “Redheads can’t wear red.” Supposedly it was a “rule” in the fashion world. I had struggled enough with fashion and self-image and wouldn’t think about breaking the rules, so I followed them to the T. Or to the R-E-D.
I was well into my thirties when I started rocking a red lip. I saw other redheads doing it, and I thought it looked beautiful. I got some compliments on the “cute lipstick color”, and I actually felt brave and a little empowered. I began to reflect on why I had bought into this whole “redheads can’t wear red” rule anyhow. I literally went to Google to find out who made this rule. Turns out, no one even knows. Why was I following a rule that isn’t even true?!
Eclectic fashion icon, Iris Apfel, once said, “I’m constantly asked for style advice. I hate to give guidelines….But here’s what I believe. The worst fashion faux pas is looking in the mirror and seeing somebody else.”
So here is the takeaway, fellow gingers: if red makes you feel like you, rock it.
Now that I’m no longer haunted by red, I like to wear it based on my mood that day and sometimes even the season. For example, I tend to rock a red lip more often in winter and pink more often in summer. That’s only because it makes me feel like me. YOU have permission to do the exact opposite or something totally different.
My favorite ‘Redhead Friendly’ lipstick is POP Beauty Matte Velvet Lipstick in Cozy Crimson. I am wearing it in the picture above! It’s a mix of a pink/red shade that’s perfect for all year round.
Four more ‘redhead friendly’ red lipsticks:
1. Finally Bold® Red-y For This: Perfectly Red
Yes, you heard it right. Finally Bold® is clean, cruelty-free, vegan and made in the USA. Discover three shades made for redheads. Shop now.
2. Poppy Red: NARS Audacious Lipstick in Annabella
3. Matte Poppy Red: NARS Lipstick in Inappropriate Red
4. Matte Deep Red: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer
If you’re new to giving yourself permission to rock some red, I recommend THIS article. The most important thing is to feel comfortable being you. And to my unmarried friends, should you pick a red bridesmaid dress, I will happily wear it on your special day.
READ: Redheads: The Colors You Should Be Wearing
Rock it like a Redhead!
