Scarlet fever

No colour is more Christmassy than red. So pucker up, ladies – and, er, gents? – it’s the perfect time to experiment with lipsticks. Time Out Singapore goes in search of the king of crimsons – meanwhile, you can try to find the one pair of male lips in the bunch

$38
Shu Uemura
Rouge Unlimited CrystalShine: RD165S
Mr Uemura is a staunch believer in making ‘as many [lipstick] colours as there are women’, and although I only tried on one shade, I have complete faith in his ability to make anyone’s kisser look like a million bucks. I rarely wear lipstick and was understandably nervous about test-driving a shiny red hue, but ‘Crystal Shine’ balances classy shimmer (thanks to state-of-the-art ‘light-reflective pearls’) and vibrant colour without making you look like a ‘lady of the night’. It’seven subtle enough to wear during the day, and didn’t leave a mark on my water glass. Think of this little gem as lipstick training wheels.
Alexis Ong

$33
Rouge Bunny Rouge
Gleaming Temptations LipGloss: Sparks Flew
The Rouge Bunny Rouge marketing campaign is all about fairy tales, an Enchanted Garden and mystery with a ‘whispering sense of danger’. This translates to cool packaging and a sticky gloss that would make ‘whispering’ difficult. While it looked like a deep, seductive red in the tube, it came out magenta, bordering on purple without any shine to speak of. Everytime I blotted, it took most of the colour off, so I was forced to repeat the process several times. By the time I was done, my boyfriend wouldn’t come anywhere near my gooey lips. Think I’ll pass.
Laura Dannen

$32
Laneíge
Snow Crystal Moisture Lipstick: R18 Classic Red
With a frosted tube that glows like mother of pearl, this Korean creation had me at hello. I did take the time to get to know it better – I’m not that shallow – and luckily my love only grew stronger. The lack of gloss prevented any loose strands from sticking to my lips (hairballs are no fun for anyone). This deep red shade with a burgundy tone will definitely spice up an outfit, but should not be applied without properly rouged cheekbones and some lengthening mascara. Still, it’s the perfect match for that little black cocktail dress you’ve been drooling over for months.
Alexandra Karplus

$28
M.A.C
Viva Glam VI
I’m definitely more of a balm girl than a lipstick diva, but I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised after applying one of M.A.C’s latest shades. I was slightly concerned by the name – would I look like I was in fancy dress but without a costume? – but the colour wasn’t nearly as garish as I’d imagined. My lips felt moisturised and smooth with a slight sheen; in fact, it felt just like the balm I’m so fond of, but with a more intense colour with good staying power. I think I may have been converted, especially since every cent raised from this line goes to the M.A.C AIDS Fund.
Katie Ackerman

$17.90
Maybelline
Watershine 30 Collagen: 326
It is a well-known beauty rule that every woman should own a tube of red lipstick. My match came in the form of a bold, deep red shade flecked with glitter – the oh-so popular latest trend. While my initial reaction was a raised eyebrow, one application later, I was won over. The lipstick’s smooth, non-sticky texture allowed me to modify the desired hue. A light smear produced an au naturel day look; a slightly stronger hand produced an evening gown-worthy pout (and also immediately brightened my face). After the kiss test, barely anything was left behind on the gentleman’s cheek. This is the perfect hue if you’re looking for something to last from day to night.
Charlene Fang

$23
CLARINS
716 Joli Rouge
Just as the name suggests, this lippy is a ‘pretty’ red, rather than a deep, devilish, knock-you-down with-one-pout red. On first application it felt rich and creamy – it felt expensive– and even had a slight taste of raspberries, yum. As a lipstick novice, I still felt a bit conscious that my lips were a bright beacon in the night – especially when contrasted with my perma-pallor – but I still felt glamorous. Unfortunately, despite its promise of a ‘long-lasting hold’, it had completely rubbed off after a few drinks. Perhaps I should have re-applied more often, but after a few hours it seemed the faint orangey hue was scaring my boyfriend. I’m not sure that this is the shade for me, but don’t count it out.
Georgia Reeve

$23.90
L’Oréal Paris
501 Invincible Red
High-street retailers have been releasing lines of ‘Guy-liner’ and ‘Manscara’: it appears a second wave of metrosexuality has given even blokey blokes the go ahead to beautify themselves. Most chaps, however, would probably draw the line at lipstick; they want to look more masculine, or healthier – think undetectable make-up that brings out chiselled jaws or designer-stubble beards. Don’t think sensuous, plumped-up, scarlet lips, like a deviant circus mime, or Boy George-tastic effeminacy. To test my hypothesis, I swiped a thick smear of sticky red lipstick over my virgin lips, gave a sizzling ‘Blue Steel’ gaze to the mirror, shuddered, and thought, ‘Bugger me, I wouldn’t last a day in prison’.
Peter Myers

$37
Stila
Shine Lip Color: Georgina
Brunette locks + red lipstick = va va voom. It’s a simpleequation, but on me, it’s vava wrong. Sadly, I am the1 per cent of the brunettepopulation that cannot pulloff a red lip. Pink gloss?Girly and cute. Deep plummatt? Grown up and classic.But get my puckers anywhere neara seriously vampy red stick and mylips turn all Catholic schoolgirl andrebel. My last hope was Stila – could ittransform me into a 1950s Mediterraneanscreen goddess? Not quite.This shade glides on smooth, doesn’tdry out lips (thanks to the high lanolincontent), and according to a male assistant,doesn’t taste ‘funny’. All in all,it’s a beautiful, feminine shade thatany brunette can pull off – except forme.
Vanessa Mulquiney