You can’t get any more classic than the cult-favorite red lipstick. It’s sultry, it’s sexy and it gives you that statement ‘pop.’
Though with so many on the market, it can be a difficult feat to find your signature shade. So, we left it up to the pro to pick the 10 best red lipsticks of 2022 for every skin tone.
“How could a classic red lip ever go out of style? However, there is always a new spin on red lipstick formulas such as innovative finishes, sustainable packaging and clean formulas,” Melinda Solares, Sephora beauty director, told the New York Post. “Most recently, high impact vinyl finishes like GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI’s Xtra Sauce Longwear Vinyl Liquid Lipstick have been trending due to the eye-catching vinyl finish and long-lasting results.”
Alongside your tinted lip balms, this trusty makeup bag essential isn’t just for the bold — it’s for everyone. Even better, you can top off your look with one of the best clear lip glosses we reviewed for more of a glam, blended-in look. (Related: best beauty gifts).
Not all red lipsticks are created equal, so we pulled an exclusive edit of the 10 best red lipsticks as recommended by Solares. Be sure to scroll to the bottom, too, to see some personal favorites we tossed into the mix.
Click to jump to the best red lipsticks:
What to look for in a red lipstick, per an expert
According to Solares, you should consider formula, finish and shade when looking for a red lipstick.
“It’s important to start by identifying what factors are most important to you, because this can be different for each person,” she adds. “You have to ask yourself, are you looking for any additional benefits from the lipstick?”
What’s the best lipstick for fair skin? For dark skin?
Though Solares is firm that bright red looks great on anyone, there are some guidelines to help you choose the most flattering lipstick shade for you:
- Decipher your undertone: An undertone is different than your skin tone. Skin tones range from fair to deep, but the undertone is the shade within your skin tone. These undertones can be warm, cool, or neutral. For a quick check, look at your veins; blue veins indicate cool undertones, green veins indicate warm undertones and a mix of both indicates neutral undertones.
- Select a corresponding lipstick shade: For warm tones, try orange-red and brick-red. For cool tones, try blue-red and purple-red. If your skin tone is neutral, you’ve got a bit more to work with. Neutral skin tones tend to look good with a wider range of red lipstick shades, so ‘have fun experimenting!’ according to Solares.
What’s a good makeup look with red lipstick?
Solares gives us the 411 on how to craft a look with a bold red lippe.
“My go-to makeup look to pair with a red lipstick is very simple,” she begins. “I might add a bit of neutral eye shadow to contour my eyes, tight-line my lash line for a bit of definition, add a touch of light and neutral blush, and work to keep the focus on the beautiful bold lip!”
For a touch of glam for a night out, she resorts to Sephora Collection’s Charged Up Liquid Eyeshadow in ‘Champagne’ added to the eyes, as you can see here. Occasionally, she gets funky with it and adds an unexpected pop of color, like Sephora Collection’s Ultimate Gel Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in ‘Matte Lime’ shown here.
Most importantly, it’s important to have fun with it!
Best Expert-Chosen Red Lipsticks
Below, Solares outlines her top three favorite red lipsticks.
1. GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI Xtra Sauce Longwear Vinyl Liquid Lipstick, $24
Shade: ‘Original Recipe’
Solares recommends the GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI Xtra Sauce Longwear Vinly Liquid Lipstick in ‘Original Recipe’ if you’re looking for a glossy finish. Namely, its luxe gold packaging, vegan formulation and high-shine finish seal the deal.
2. Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick, $15
Shade: ‘Always Red’
For a matte finish, the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in ‘Always Red’ is one Solares has on deck at all times. Not only is it affordable at just $15 but if you like the rich formulation, there are dozens more shades to choose from.
3. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Icon The Fill Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick, $20
Shade: ‘THE MVP’
Ah, Queen RiRi strikes again with the Fenty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick. Not only is it sustainable but it’s long-wearing, hydrating and draws a cult following.
Other Red Lipsticks We Love
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte & Satin Lipstick, $23
Shade: ‘American Doll’
Not only are we obsessed with all things Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH, if you’re a real one), but its Matte & Satin Lipstick is unique in that you can select which formulation you prefer. Its ‘American Doll’ shade is bold, yet a months-long favorite of ours — even on fair skin.
2. MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick, $21
Shade: ‘Ruby Woo’
Search the internet — no edit of ‘the best red lipsticks’ would steer you way from MAC Cosmetics’ best-selling ‘Ruby Woo’ shade. We’ve been hearing about this color for years and can’t imagine going without any of the brand’s seriously killer formulations.
3. Gucci Velvet Matte Lipstick, $45
Shade: ‘Goldie Red’
Lately, Gucci has been stepping up its beauty game (even though it’s been crushing it as a coveted designer name). Its ‘Goldie Red’ Velvet Matte Lipstick looks impeccable with the brand’s Luminous Matte Beauty Blush ($49), and we 100% recommend it for date night.
4. Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, $8
Shade: ‘Exhilirator’
There’s a reason Maybelline New York swarms every TV commercial and magazine ad known to man — its lip colors are beyond incredible, for less than $10, too. Oh, and it boasts more than 82,000 Amazon reviews, naming it an Amazon best-seller.
Its ‘Exhilirator’ shade has a pigment like no other and is an incredible drugstore find. For more options, check out our guide to the best beauty finds under $25.
5. ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick, $28
Shade: ‘Wild Aster’
If you have fair skin, the ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick in ‘Wild Aster’ is a phenomenal, natural-leaning shade that still has a red lipstick charm. Plus, it’s a clean beauty brand we can’t get enough of.
6. Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick, $42
Shade: ‘Forever Dior’
Truth be told, the ‘Dior Forever’ shade from the brand’s Rouge Dior Transfer-Proof line is beyond fantastic. Think about a dance recital lip — you know, the one you want to stay put for hours of frolicking on stage — and that’s this right here. We wish we had it when we were seven-year-olds.
7. Too Faced Lady Bold Cream Lipstick, $24 to $28
Shade: ‘Lady Bold’
We tried the Too Faced Lady Bold Cream Lipstick and though it’s a bit vibrant on fair skin, it’s a true apple red shade we couldn’t resist. If you want something hydrating, too, this is worth your coin.
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