Amour in the Air: A Season of Red Lips & Soft Color
This time of year always feels a little special to me.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I naturally find myself reaching for softer pinks, classic reds, and deeper burgundy tones. They show up quietly in my everyday moments. A cozy knit on a slow morning, a café stop, a swipe of lipstick before heading out the door.
It’s also that in-between moment when winter starts to soften and we begin looking toward spring. Color slowly makes its way back in, warmer, lighter, and a little more playful after months of neutrals and layers.
For me, that shift usually starts small. A lip color I reach for without thinking. Fresh nails. A cardigan thrown over a simple outfit. Just one intentional pop that changes how the day feels!
And since it is the season of l’amour, it felt like the perfect time to share a few red lip favorites I come back to again and again. Not just for Valentine’s Day, but the ones that live in my bag, my bathroom drawer, and my routine, depending on the mood, the plans, or the moment.
I don’t have just one signature red. Here’s how those shades show up in my everyday rotation, depending on how I want the day to feel. Sometimes soft and effortless, sometimes a little more polished, and sometimes classic and bold.
The Red Lip Products I Use Most
Les Filles en Rouje - Le Baume
Shade: Red
Price: $38
This is a more recent addition to my lip rotation, and I was genuinely excited to find it at Anthropologie. I’ve been a long-time fan of Rouje, so seeing their beauty line in-store felt like such a special moment.
Le Baume has quickly become one of those easy products I keep reaching for when I want a little something more than a clear balm. The texture is smooth and comfortable, and it adds just the right pop of color without feeling heavy.
It feels romantic, effortless, and instantly brightens up the face. Perfect for daytime, coffee dates, or moments when you want your makeup to feel simple but intentional.
This is very much a balm, not a full-coverage lipstick. Think of it as a tinted veil, a soft wash of color rather than deep pigment.
Ps: heres also this cute Rouje coffee table book linked here
VIOLETTE_FR - Bisou Balm
Shade: Amour Fou
Price: $29
Continuing on the balm train, this is one you’ve probably seen everywhere. After spotting it across TikTok and Instagram, I was curious and decided to give it a try.
The color is beautiful and very wearable, but it definitely leans more matte, which took me a moment to get used to. On days when I want a bit more shine, I’ll add a sheer gloss on top. If you love a matte, blurred finish, this one works beautifully on its own.
It has that effortless, slightly undone look that feels very French and understated.
I also just ordered their award-winning Petal Bouche in Cerise Desir, and I’ll be reporting back once I’ve spent some time with it.
Dior - Rouge Dior Lipstick
Shades: 743 & 999
Price: $50
When it comes to lipstick, these are my true go-to’s.
I’ve had both shades, 999 (satin finish) and 743 (Rouge Zinnia satin finish), for years, and they’ve held up beautifully. The formula wears well, the colors feel timeless, and the quality is exactly what you expect from Dior.
These are the shades I reach for when I want a more elevated lip. Polished, confident, and effortless all at once. It’s the kind of red that instantly makes everything else feel easy.
Coffee Table book linked here
Chanel - Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue
Shade: Daring Red
Price: $53
This product completely won me over.
I first discovered it while walking through Nordstrom with a friend who was trying on lipsticks for her wedding lip look. She tested one of the Chanel duo lip colors, and when she went to take it off, it wouldn’t budge. That alone sold me.
One of my biggest red lipstick frustrations has always been transfer. The idea of a red lip that truly stays put felt like a game changer.
Since then, it’s become my go-to for date nights, dinners, events, and holidays. It lets you enjoy the moment without worrying about touch-ups, which makes all the difference. This is the red I reach for when I want to feel confident and fully present, without having to think about it again all night.
Typology - Moisturizing Lip Oil
Shade: Ruby Red
Price: $32.50
This was a targeted ad that actually worked on me!
The formula is incredibly hydrating, thanks to the squalane and vitamin E, and it’s one I reach for when my lips need extra comfort. The color is quite sheer, so don’t expect full coverage. Instead, think of it as a glossy wash of red that adds softness and shine.
I also love layering this on top of my Dior lipstick when I want a more luminous finish.
Thrive Causemetics - Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner™
Shade: Maurjon
Price: $24
I’ve long loved Thrive products, their mascara has been a staple for me, so it felt natural to try their lip liner as well.
This is the liner I reach for when I want a bit more structure. I usually slightly overline my lips, then layer lipstick on top for a fuller look.
It’s smooth, long-wearing, and strong enough to stand on its own with just a touch of gloss.
Letting Color Carry Through
What I love about this time of year is how the same shades show up across everything.
A red lip. A pop of pink in a knit. Fresh red nails. Small touches that quietly shift the mood without overwhelming a look.
I’ve been loving subtle pops of color in my wardrobe, especially through classic pieces. A pink or red cardigan, like the Gaspard cardigan from Sézane, is such an easy way to make a neutral outfit feel seasonal without overthinking it. I’ve also been reaching for richer tones, like burgundy, through accessories. A bag in a deeper shade adds warmth and depth while still feeling timeless, my Maison de Sabre burgundy bag has been one of those pieces lately.
That same idea has been showing up in my beauty routine too. I recently partnered with Manucurist Paris to try their at-home gel nail kits, and I’ve been loving them. The colors feel timeless and polished, and the finish holds beautifully. Red nails are one of those details that instantly make everything feel pulled together.
Beauty and style feel most natural when they speak the same language, and color is often that bridge.
Final Thoughts
This season always reminds me that style doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special.
A red lip you’ve loved for years, a soft pop of pink, classic pieces you reach for again and again. These are the details that create stylish moments without trying too hard.
Valentine’s Day may be the spark, but it’s really about leaning into what feels good, familiar, and timeless. Carrying a bit of l’amour into everyday life, through color, texture, and simple go-to’s that make getting dressed and ready feel effortless.
Whether you’re celebrating big, keeping things quiet, or simply treating yourself, I hope this season brings you moments that feel warm, thoughtful, and full of love!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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With Amour,
M.