Which words springs to mind when you think about red lipstick? Sexy? For sure. Strong? Absolutely. But ten quid says that “youthful” wouldn’t be top of your list. Thank goodness, then, for our favourite beauty disrupter – Dame Helen Mirren, of course – who’s stepped out and shown us how older women can and should do it.
Appearing at the premiere for her new Guy Ritchie show, MobLand, the actress matched her lipstick to the red carpet, proving at 79 that age is no barrier to a statement smile. For extra cool points, her bold lip was teamed with her silver hair swept up in a fashionably casual chignon.
“Helen proves the point that anyone can wear red at any age,” says celebrity makeup artist Daniel Sandler, who is famed for his ageless approach to beauty. “It’s the perfect bold statement to complement her white hair and her black dress.”
There are several secrets to making a red lip look so youthful, Daniel explains. Firstly, the shade is key to pulling off this makeup look. “Red lips that are too dark can make lips appear thinner, so make sure the red you choose is a bold bright in either a cherry red, a true red or a pinky red, depending on your skin tone,” he advises.
Cooler reds (with blue undertones) suit cooler toned skin, while warmer complexions tend to be enlivened by orange-reds but in practice that can be tricky to figure out. So rather than relying on guesswork, try a virtual try-on to see what suits you. The L’Oreal Paris virtual makeup try on seems apt when emulating one of the brand’s most famous “Worth It” ambassadors, and GH also rates the Charlotte Tilbury AI-powered makeovers.
Whatever shade you use, Daniel says you need a lipstick texture that’s lasting, but non-drying for a fresh, flattering look. Using a liner will help to avoid it creeping into fine lines. ("If your lipstick is too creamy, it will bleed," he notes.)
Revlon Colourstay is GHI's top-rated lipstick, scoring a whopping 90/100, followed closely by NARS Powermatte Lipstick (88/100), which has an excellent range of reds.
You need a good canvas to pull off a red lip, so finding the right base will pay dividends. “Helen’s complexion is wonderfully even, because, as we all know, red lips can emphasise any skin tone unevenness,” says Daniel.
That doesn't mean you should cake on a thick foundation when you want to wear a red lip, though. The best way to create an anti-ageing effect is go for a light, buildable base to enhance your skin, then use a concealer to target dark circles and any age spots. Dior's new Forever Hydra Nude Foundation is fantastic for softening pigmentation , and Shiseido Revitalessence is the GHI's best foundation choice for a sheer glow.
Red lips should be the focus of this look, and as Helen proves, the rest of your makeup should be kept supersoft. "Once your base is evened out, all you need to do is add a little bit of definition on eyes, with a soft brown eye pencil and mascara, then a very soft flush of pink all over the cheeks,” says Daniel.
“Blusher creates a rosy, youthful glow, and more importantly, it’s not just on the cheekbone," explains Daniel. "With Helen, it’s taken up towards the under-eye area to create a lovely, soft youthful effect.” Copy it with his Watercolour blusher in Cherub, a GH-favourite which gives the most beautiful lustre to skin.
And that's it – simple, easy and ageless. Dame Helen, we salute you.
