Top 3 Makeup Tips for Redheads

Makeup Tips for Redheads!

If you are a redhead, then you know 2 things: 1. You are unique. Only 2% of the world’s population has red hair. 2. It’s hard to find real makeup tips from someone who understands. So, from one redhead to another, here are some answers to three basic makeup challenges facing redheads.

Picking the Right Foundation

Most of you have heard tale of your skin’s undertones. However, often times we choose our foundation, liquid or powder, based on our skin tone. Be it ivory, beige, medium, tan etc. – we look at the surface of our skin and try to match. But your skin tone changes with sun exposure, lack thereof, or simply overtime. This is why you should choose your foundation based on your skin’s undertones. So what exactly are your undertones and how do you find your shade?

First, your skin’s undertones lie just below the surface of the skin and regardless of whether you skin hasn’t seen the sun in months or you just got a tan- it stays the same. Second, there are three undertone categories: cool (pink, or bluish undertones); warm (yellow, peachy, golden undertones); neutral (mix of warm and cool).

So which are you? Look at the veins on your wrist: Are they blue or green? If they are blue or blue-purple, then you most likely have cool undertones. If they are greenish, then you’re warm. And if you have both blue and green veins then you are neutral.

If you happen to be a redhead of the pale and freckled variety, I recommend a tinted moisturizer rather than a heavy foundation. This way your freckles will shine through!

Brow Love

For the fair of brow (i.e. those with blonde or basically non-existent brows), this is a sensitive topic. For years I harbored brow envy! That is, until I accepted the invisible brow as part of what made me unique. I’ll never have Cara Delevingne’s intense brows, but if thats what it takes to have my awesome red hair, then it’s something I can live with – and happily.

Now, even though I have come to terms with my brow fate, I still like to add a hint of color in my daily makeup routine. I recommend finding a good brow wax as it will last longer than pencil and be less likely to smudge. Then pick a color that is one to two shades darker than your natural color and apply!

The Mascara Dilemma

There are two mascara camps when it comes to redheads. Those that think redheads should wear black mascara and those who think brown mascara is a much more natural and flattering route. To complicate things further, a third camp has been growing and it advocates an auburn mascara. So which is right for you? Well, you can basically wear whatever you want and look great – you are a gorgeous redhead afterall. It really comes down to the look you want to achieve. For the classic makeup look go with a basic black or dark brown. If you are aiming for a more natural, just-rolled-out-of-bed-but-have-eyelashes look, than brown or an auburn is your best bet. Auburn is particularly good choice for the redhead with blue or green eyes as it will make those colors pop! Or change it up. Use a lighter brown for your day makeup and transition to dark brown to add some intensity for a night out.

However, I’m here to say that a redhead can basically wear whatever she wants and look fantastic! So find what works for you and rock it like no other hair color can.

Kate Loveless is the founder of Redhead Revolution, a cosmetics company for redheads! She currently resides in sunny California. When she is not lounging on the beach (under an umbrella with loads of sunscreen), she is creating makeup that will let redheads shine!