Femme Fatale

The dictionary describes the 'Femme Fatale' as "a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations".  I love the image and expression of the idea behind a 'Femme Fatale' - this almost mystical type of woman who holds a seductive yet deadly power in her midst.  When I think about poweful words that describe a woman (Femme Fatale, Diva, Vixen, Siren etc etc), I always, always, always have an image of a woman wearing red lipstick!  I looked up the 'energy' that is evoked with the colour red and found that it inspires "action, courage, assertiveness, and fearlessness" (I got this from my Life in Color Book) and it is almost always connected to sexiness and sensuality.  Why would a Femme Fatale wear anything else?  When people hear the word 'red lipstick', everyone often seems to have a different idea of what that means - some women see the perfect red as a suble and sheer red lipstain, others see a deeper blood-type red shade, while other women think of a true, bright true red shade.  So which is the right colour that one should wear if they want to invoke this allure of a seductive passionate woman???  I think that the answer lies with your skin-tone, women with warmer skintones take on that 'fiery passion' when they wear a 'flame' inspired red (i.e with orange or yellow undertones) - I think MAC's Chili and 'So Chaud' are the perfect reds for a true autumn or spring woman (pictured below):

These lipshades are definitely red, but they have that sexy spicy feel.  I actually think of chilies and a a true paprika colour when I think of these shades.  They are colours that you would see at spice market and would look so amazing paired with a true mustard or golden brown shade (perfect on an autumn or warm spring)! 

Women who have a cooler skintone can really work a red with a blue undertone - my favourites being NARS 'Scarlet Empress' and MAC 'Red':

Don't let Scarlet Empress fool you (pictured above) - It looks deep in the tube, but goes on a stunning merlot-red shade.  Its the perfect mid-toned red-burgundy shade.  When I think of this type of red, I think of a woman who is elegantly sipping some wine and has naturally stained her lips with the wine shade - its not too purple or deep, its the perfect red wine stain!!!

MAC 'Red' is the ultimate true blue red - It is the ultimate shade for a medium to olive toned woman who has a cool undertone.  You can pair this lipstick with MAC's Cherry liner if you want to take it into the true red family - it looks uber sexy!!!

Women with neutral skintones are very lucky because they can borrow from both the warmer and cooler red lip shades (think a beautiful brick red), but they also look amazing with a neutral true red (no real blue or yellow undertones, but rather a pure, true red shade).  I love Make Up For Ever's Moulin Rouge for that perfect true red lipstick:

If you want to inspire sexiness, elegance, power, assertiveness, seduction and basically the true energy of a 'Femme Fatale', don't leave the house without your red-lipstick.  I think Rihanna is such a beautiful and stunning woman and she really rocks this look - actually, seeing this photo of her has inspired me to write about red lipsticks.  When it comes to RED lipstick - you can't just wear it, you need to OWN it.  Rihanna totally and completely OWNS it in this photo - her whole look and style screams sexy and elegant: