All about: BeautyTok's Red lip theory, and why it works for everyone

January 06, 2025

All about: BeautyTok's Red lip theory, and why it works for everyone

IMHO there is nothing that says sultry and high glam more than a scarlet lip - my favourite being a semi-matte formula as they wear longer than a sheer one and photograph flawlessly. Often, red lip moments are paired with pretty flushed cheeks, flirtatiously fluttering lashes, and maybe some sparkling eyeshadow — though TikTok has a theory that stripping all of the extras away and letting your red lipstick take centre stage is the secret to a glowing complexion.
Those of you on BeautyTok may have heard about “Red Lipstick Theory” - the latest viral sound from influencer and beauty educator Alexis Androulakis (who is part of the always-inspirational duo The Lipstick Lesbians). “If you are wearing nothing on your face, nothing but a red lipstick, your skin will look more even because you’ve drawn people’s attention to the red lip,” Androulakis says in the clip that went seriously viral. “It’s that simple.”
This lead to a huge number of creators testing the theory by applying red lipstick without any other makeup on, including big names like Meredith Duxbury, Mikayla Nogueira, and Kensington Tillo. There are currently over 2,600 videos accompanying the 10-second sound — and most users seem to be fans of the results.

How Does It Work?
Put simply, the “red lipstick theory” is essentially a highly effective distraction technique. It won’t immediately blur out any uneven skin tone, blemishes or imperfections, but it’s absolutely true that nothing brightens a face as much as simply applying a swipe of red lipstick. Doing this on bare skin makes the look feel effortless and chic, and also a great option during the summer months when wearing a full face of slap - only to watch it melt off your face - isn’t the most attractive option.

How To Get The Look
For those looking to test out the theory, there are two pro tips to keep in mind: have a solid skin prep routine and choose the right shade of red for you. Start by going in with your favourite serum and moisturiser for a luminous, hydrated base, and gently exfoliate your lips with a soft flannel or designated lip scrub before allowing then to dry completely and going in with your red.
When it comes to the type of red you reach for, generally a red lip with blue undertones will brighten the skin and is easier to pull off than an orange-red or a true red. Think shades like MAC’s iconic Ruby Woo - classic, bright Hollywood reds that have endured for a reason. If you follow the school of thought that allocates shades according to skin tone, darker skin can often handle more intense colour like deep reds and reds with blue undertones, while olive skin looks best when paired with yellow- or orange-based reds like coral and poppy. If you have a medium skin tone, you have a little more choice when it comes to picking a red, while those with light skin tones can wear a bright red for a bold pop of colour against their fair skin, but they tend to look better in cool reds or berry reds with blue undertones like cranberry shades. I personally don’t like to follow the rules when it comes to lipstick shade choices, if you love the way it looks then that’s all that matters right? Ultimately, you should choose the red that you feel most comfortable and confident in - and the possibilities are endless.

Some of my personal favourites…