Make a Bold Statement With These Must-Have Red Lipsticks
There is so much lore surrounding red lipstick. Skin experts say if you wear red lips, the rest of your complexion naturally looks smoother, better, and brighter. Actresses in old Hollywood movies wore it so lips would appear more pronounced in black and white movies and, if you’ve ever tried this look out yourself, you know it has the ability to turn a few heads. But when it comes to cherry-red lips, there’s no one-size-fits-all shade. Your skin’s undertones, shades, and texture all come into play when deciding on “the perfect” red shade for you.
Plus, there are formulation factors to consider. Do you want your red lips to have a matte finish? Have a subtle shine? Or be more of a stain that will last all day so you can slather on lip gloss as needed? It’s OK if you don’t know right off the bat which red lipstick is a fit for you. As your beauty bestie, we’re sharing a few of our personal faves, along with recs from some of the pros. Keep reading for a roundup of the best red lipstick for every skin tone so you can snag the perfect red lip color for you. (And don’t forget the lip liner on your way out!)
Meet the Expert
Sophia Porter is a celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist, who’s best known for her work on red carpets and video/photo shoots.
Nikki Parisi is a makeup artist and hair stylist, who’s best-known for her work on many music video shoots. Her lengthy list of makeup credits include Cindy Crawford and Paris Hilton.
1. Best Matte Red Lipstick:
F.A.R.A.H Matte Liquid Lipstick
Matte doesn’t have to mean drying, and this lipstick proves it. It’s formulated with jojoba oil and vitamin E so that even though it has a matte look and finish, it won’t make your lips feel dry as you wear it. We love that it’s also transfer-proof. “I love that it doesn't dry out on my lips, doesn't get on my teeth, and only barely transfers on a glass (a clear wine glass, in the case of my test),” wrote one Ipster.
2. Best Red Lip Kit:
BEAUTY CREATIONS COSMETICS The True Red Kit
Adding lip liner to your red lipstick is a no-brainer. We love that it keeps the red lipstick inside the lines of your lips as you wear it so it won’t feather or smudge out. Ipsters are calling this shade the “perfect red.” “This is the red to have! I have boxes and boxes of different red shade lipsticks I do not wear [that are] too dark, too bright, too red, too orange, too dull, don’t stay on, feel too dry…but this lipstick has everything I was looking for in a red lipstick,” says one reviewer.
3. Best Pigmented Red Lipstick:
M·A·C COSMETICS Retro Matte Lipstick
This lippie is one of M•A•C’s bestselling shades for a reason; the formula is long-wearing and feather-proof, so you don’t even need to pair it with a lip liner. Plus, we love that it’s free from parabens and mineral oils. Ipsters are calling it “gorgeous and very pigmented.”
4. Best Unique Red Lipstick:
HUDA BEAUTY Demi Matte Cream Liquid Lipstick in Boy Collector
“After it dries, it lasts all day and is super vibrant,” says just one of many favorable IPSY reviews about this longtime statement-making staple from Huda Kattan. And quite frankly, we agree. This lasts on lips from coffee to cocktails (trust us, we tested it) without getting patchy or feathering—and it’s ultra comfy to boot. The water-rich formula offers up intense hydration so your lips never feel chapped or tight.
5. Best Long-Wear Red Lipstick:
IL MAKIAGE Infinity Long-Wear Matte Lip Cream in Geisha
They don’t call this liquid lipstick Infinity for nothing. The pigment will stay put forever (or until you take it off with a cleanser or makeup remover), so you won’t need to worry about annoying touch-ups or smudges. And it’s especially great for olive skin tones, according to one of our members, who commented, “The shade is perfect without making me look orange or yellow.” What you see in the tube (an ultra flattering classic red) is what you get. The color is bold and totally full-coverage.
6. Best Day-to-Night Red Lipstick:
ILLAMASQUA Antimatter Lipstick in Solar
We found a semi-matte finish, pink-based red lipstick that's perfect for fair skin tones with warm undertones—and it’s a pick for the sunniest season. “Loved this lipstick! Fun shade perfect for summer,” commented one of our IPSY members. This creamy formula is non-drying and glides across your lips for a luxurious dose of hydrating, long-lasting color. Suitable for wear at the office and pigmented enough to make a statement at night, this lipstick color will amp up your look wherever you go.
7. Best Deep Red Lipstick:
BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS Crushed Lip Color in Grenadine
We get the best of both worlds with this deep magenta-red lip color: supreme comfort and intense, eye-catching color. And luckily, our IPSY members agree. “Outstanding color! Nice, saturated, good staying power, doesn’t dry out, love it,” raved one user. The creamy formula has a satin-to-matte finish, yet glides on like a balm thanks to nourishing vitamin E and moisturizing beeswax.
8. Best Mineral Red Lipstick:
BAREMINERALS Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick in Courage
If you’re looking for a shade that packs a big punch, we found it. “Love the packaging and the petite size,” one fan said of this classic red shade. “It’s perfect for a small purse.” The mineral-infused (and vegan!) formula is made of 19 healthy ingredients, including cold-pressed sea buckthorn fruit oil that delivers tons of vitamins and minerals to your lips.
Want to snag some of these red lipsticks and more? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
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