The 20 Best Red Lipsticks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Daring, bold, and a frequent conversation topic, red lipstick and Taylor Swift are eternal twin flames. And, though the shade has become one of her calling cards since she first swatched it on for an Allure photoshoot in 2009, its been essential in our makeup collection long before the once curly-haired pop star stepped on

Daring, bold, and a frequent conversation topic, red lipstick and Taylor Swift are eternal twin flames. And, though the shade has become one of her calling cards since she first swatched it on for an Allure photoshoot in 2009, it’s been essential in our makeup collection long before the once curly-haired pop star stepped on stage. We’re beholden to its timeless appeal (dare we say it never goes out of style?), and how a red lip can re-energize lackluster looks and inspire confidence in us the way a soft pink or brown shade simply can’t. 

Taylor Swift’s signature red lip has sparked an intense office-wide interest in the sport known as football — more specifically, the fun guessing game that ensues every Monday trying to guess what she wore. As imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we tested some of the world’s most popular and iconic scarlet-hued lippies across a range of undertones, brightness and color blends, and finishes. We’ve completed our rigorous review, and we’ve curated our final list of winners. Our all-time favorite red lipsticks (and probably Taylor’s too) are featured in this list, providing you with the crucial red lipsticks you need in your repertoire. Let the games begin.

Best Overall

Dior Liquid Lipstick

Dior Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick

Macy's

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

This 12-hour longwear lipstick packs a pigmented punch. Available in five bold shades of red (including burgundy and rich cherry red), this lippie was the clear winner among the products we tested. According to our tester, it glides evenly onto lips and creates a clean, opaque finish in a single swipe. “This lipstick looks great immediately upon application — it dries quickly, and there’s no smudging or bleeding,” she shares. The secret is in the doe foot applicator: Its pointed tip allows you to seamlessly define the edges and corners of your lips. 

Despite being matte, the lipstick doesn’t settle into fine lines or feel drying. Instead, the lightweight formula features dimethicone, which keeps lips soft and comfortable, and gives off a powder-soft finish. “The lipstick has little to no transfer, and I would feel comfortable wearing it all day without worrying about it fading,” our tester says. On days when you don’t want a matte look, gloss layers beautifully on top — just bear in mind, the lipstick tends to transfer more easily when topped with gloss.

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 5|Size: 0.2 oz.

Best Red Lipstick for Natural Makeup

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick

tiger

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    4.9/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4.5/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love: Brimming with nourishing ingredients, this lightweight formula makes our lips softer and a little more inflated with every wear. 

What We Don’t Love: It takes a couple of swatches to build up color.

Shade Name: Tiger

For the days you want a red without all the maintenance of a red, we reach for Merit’s hydrating lipstick that slides right on like a lip balm, and with five different plant oils, it feels as nourishing and wearable as one, too. 

“I love the Merit lipsticks because they’re truly different from your standard lippie in the sense that the formula is quite lightweight, and doesn’t feel even the slightest bit heavy on your lips,” says commerce writer Bianca Kratky. “It applies more sheer than your typical red, but it’s very easy to build up for a brighter hue. I like to make mine nice and bold, so I just keep going until I achieve the look I want.” And although fragrance may be a dealbreaker for some, it’s another highlight for Kratky, who says that “it smells amazing and applying it feels like a nice, luxurious moment to myself.”

Finish: Satin | Red Shades Available: 4 | Size: 0.12 oz

InStyle/Bianca Kratky

Best Bright Red

Guerlain KissKiss Shine Bloom Lipstick

Guerlain KissKiss Shine Bloom Lipstick

Guerlain

What We Love: Swiping on the dazzling, high-shine shade instantly brightens lips.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not the most long-lasting color we tried.

Shade Name: 775 Poppy Red

Find bright shades intimidating? We did too, until trying the playful Poppy Red from Guerlain's line of skin-forward, nourishing formulas, and found it far more forgiving than the blinding options we’ve gambled with in the past. Don’t get us wrong, this vivid red colorway is an instant head-turner, but its satiny finish and sophisticated shade give it a versatile edge that makes it fully appropriate for all settings. "Not to mention, it has a heavenly, fancy department store scent I'm wholly addicted to smelling," adds Richardson.

Honestly, red lipstick requires a little more concentration to apply (an accidental deep burgundy streak outside your lip line is much more noticeable than a neutral one), but we’re obsessed with how this one immediately melts into our skin and applies slightly sheer, so mistakes are less noticeable. “I can apply this anywhere, anytime without a mirror (a win since I’m often swatching shades on rickety public transportation), and the balmy texture swipes on like cream cheese, ensuring I step out looking fabulous every time.”

One of the best parts is that it won’t leave behind a red watermark on your partner's lip or drinking glass. However, the formula may make it fade a little faster than a deeply pigmented matte shade.

Finish: High shine | Red Shades Available: 8 | Size: 11 oz

Best Blue-Red Lipstick

Mac Cosmetics Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick

Mac Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick

Mac

What We Love: It’s one of the creamiest, non-drying matte lipsticks we’ve ever tried. 

What We Don’t Love: Although Russian Red is always reworked into another collection, it can be hard to keep up with all the discontinued styles.

Shade Name: Russian Red

Legends never die, and it’s just as true with lipstick shades as it is with titans of history. When one iteration of Russian Red goes to lipstick heaven (RIP Retro Matte, you were good to me), a new one arrives just in time (welcome to our lives, MACximal). 

Senior beauty commerce editor, Kaitlin Clark, is a self-described lipstick-hater and only wears them “under duress,” but after being peer pressured by friends several years ago to just give a bright red lip a whirl, she was stunned to find the needle in a haystack lippie that she didn’t hate. “I love lipstick’s entire vibe — the confidence, the glamour, the colors (the brighter, the better) — but when I wear them, they all feel so chalky it feels like my lips are wearing a wool sweater, and then I end up smacking them together or moving them all around without even thinking or realizing i’m doing it, and I just look weird, like I’m having a lip spasm,” she says. “My mind was genuinely blown when I begrudgingly tried this matte — the worst — red lipstick, only to find that it was somehow, magically, comfortable to wear and didn’t suck all of the moisture out of my lips within seconds or make me feel like I needed to go get Vaseline. In fact, about halfway through the night, I realized I wasn’t even doing the weird lip movements anymore because it just felt like my normal lips.”

Finish: Matte | Red Shades Available: 1 | Size: 0.12 oz

InStyle/Kaitlin Clark

Best for Fair Skin Tones

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury Mark of a Kiss

Charlotte Tilbury

What We Love: We can sip and snack all night long and the lipstick won’t budge.

What We Don’t Love: It can stain the lips.

Shade Name: Mark of a Kiss

There’s pretty much nothing we hate more than missing out on fun because we’re dilly-dallying in the bathroom reapplying our makeup – or worse yet, finding a picture of ourselves later in the night with a bare naked smile. There’s never a dull moment, however, with Mark of a Kiss on our lips.

“Fine, I’ve been known to get my flirt on while wearing this red velvet shade, but how could I not? The color runs a bit deeper than your typical fire-engine red, adding to its after-hours, sultier appeal,” says Irene Richardson, commerce writer.

Richardson says that even given the matte finish, it doesn’t dry out her skin but instead adds fullness (hint: Kissability) to her lips. “Paired with a dark crowded room and with a sparkly drink in tow, I’m sure I stand out,” she adds. We may be scrubbing off the stain at the end of the night, but honestly it's well worth it for a lip that lasts.

Finish: Matte | Red Shades Available: 5 | Size: 0.35 oz

Best for All Skin Tones

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick.jpg

Sephora

What We Love: Boasting a moisturizing formula and a red hue that’s flattering on all skin tones, this lipstick is a staple in our collection. 

What We Don’t Love: Our favorite shades are often sold out (we buy two or three every time we find them).

Shade Name: Parisian Red

Whether you’re imagining Marilyn Monroe’s bright pout or something left on the rim of a café au lait near La Sein, a classic red lipstick should be noticeable, sophisticated, and a whole lot of fun — and the legendary Bobbi Brown nails it (as always) with Parisian Red. Not only is it a truly striking, fiery red, but it gets major bonus points for its skin-forward formula that harnesses super hydrators, like monoi de Tahiti oil, along with a trio of plant, fruit, and seed oils — sunflower, coconut, chamomile — while jasmine flower wax gives it the slip and comfort to wear all night with ease.

Swatching this creamy formula across my lips is a dream, says Kratky, who adds “It's buttery smooth, potent in color, and creates clean lines around the edges so that I don’t need a lip pencil.” Plus, it lasts all day so there’s really no need to re-apply unless you want to indulge your lips one more time in its cushiony, moisturizing feel.

Finish: Satin | Red Shades Available: 17 | Size: 0.13 oz

InStyle/Bianca Kratky

Best Classic Red

Gucci Velvet Matte Lipstick

Gucci Goldie Red

Sephora

What We Love: Finally, a red lipstick that brightens fair skin.

What We Don’t Love: It can feel a little drying if you don’t apply a gloss on top.

Shade Name: 25 Goldie Red

“Honestly I initially only picked up this gleaming golden tube because it was serving major eye candy, but my precious red pout hasn’t stopped thanking me since,” says Richardson. 

Though it's a brighter shade than she typically wears, Richardson adores how the color doesn’t look clownish against her pale skin. Instead, its slightly orange undertones give ‘em the caviar type of classy razzle-dazzle. “And, when I overlay it with the Gloss à Lèvres lip gloss on top for a shiny finish, mwah, suddenly I’m a Louboutin-wearing, big-curled, Hollywood icon, baby,” she syas. 

Finish: Matte | Red Shades Available: 12 | Size: 0.12 oz

InStyle/Irene Richardson

Best for Red Heads

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Hustle In Heels Maybelline

What We Love: The pencil tip acts as a liner and lipstick in one. 

What We Don’t Love: This will smear when eating. 

Shade Name: Hustle in Heels

When searching for a drugstore lipstick with good color payoff, look no further than Maybelline’s SuperStay Ink Crayon. The creamy matte formula slides on easily — with no bare patches or bleeding outside the lip line — and a fine tip crayon allows you to trace the borders before filling in in one step. There’s even a sharpener on the end to refine the tip. 

As for the shade, senior commerce editor Shannon Bauer, says it's a perfect shade for redheads (and as a lifelong ginger, she would know). “Finding red lipsticks for redheads can be tricky because undertones are everything. The undertone of your skin and hair, as well as the undertone of the lipstick need to align,” she explains. Hustle in Heels is a blue-toned red with slightly less kapow than a classic like Mac’s Ruby Woo. “It pairs beautifully with a volumizing mascara and a heavy dose of peachy blush,” Bauer says. 

Finish: Matte | Red Shades Available: 5 | Size: 0.04 oz

InStyle/Shannon Bauer

Best Matte

Sunnies Face Matte Lipstick

Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Weightless Modern Matte Lipstick

Sunnies Face

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    3/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

If you tend to stray away from matte lipsticks because of their drying tendencies, this pick will make you a matte fanatic once and for all. Like its name hints, this lipstick feels like a smooth, fluffy cloud and coats lips in a plush cushion, while the slightly powdery finish gives you a worn-in, effortless looking red lip. Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Writer at InStyle, loves the buttery soft feel, saying, “maybe it's a placebo effect, but my lips feel like they are coated in a super smoothing powder.” Rather than settling into fine lines and making lips look dehydrated, this product is formulated with dimethicone, a conditioning agent that enhances your lips' natural shape and wards off dry patches. This makes it a great matte lipstick for older wearers as well. We only wish more shades were offered.

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 2|Size: 0.11 oz.

Best Liquid Lipstick

Makeup Forever Matte Liquid Lipstick

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist For Ever Matte 24HR Longwear Liquid Lipstick

Nordstrom

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4/5

  • Wear

    4.5/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

Want a budge-proof lip that catches everyone’s attention? Makeup Forever’s newest lipstick leaves your lips looking plush and vibrant. Our testers highlight how surprisingly comfortable the formula feels for a liquid lipstick. “It's obviously a little drying (just the nature of a product like this) but didn't make my lips look like a raisin or appear tight,” says Shannon Bauer, Senior Commerce Editor at InStyle. “Plus, it only took one dip into the tube to fully outline and fill in my lips with saturated color.” Once dry, the waterproof formula doesn’t budge, making it ideal for your next beach vacation or pool party with your gals. Note: Bauer did express that the red feathered around her cupids bow, so we recommend using a liner prior to application.

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 5|Size: 0.15 oz.

Best Splurge

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    4.8/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4.7/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

When you want a classic Hollywood red lip, you’ll want to grab Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipstick. There’s so much to love about this luxe pick — starting with the glamorous, sculpture-esque packaging, but it’s what’s inside that truly makes it a winner. The rich bullet applies like butter and comes in seven red hues (ranging from a dark vampy red to a brighter strawberry stain). 

Though mattes have a reputation for cracking and settling into fine lines, our tester raves about how comfortable this one is, mentioning that it feels like a second skin. She also notes that upon application, cleaning up any mistakes was painless, which isn’t always the case when it comes to red lipstick. “With how pigmented the formula is, I was expecting any mistakes I made to smudge and be tough to remove, but it was actually easy to clean up the edges of my lips with a cotton swab.” While the product isn’t fully transfer-proof, the color remains vibrant, even while eating and drinking. The only downside is that testers found this lipstick slightly drying, so we recommend priming your lips with some lip balm to ensure they stay soft and supple all day long.  

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 7|Size: 0.14 oz.

Best Drugstore

Maybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

Ulta

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    4/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

Looking for a bold, long lasting red lipstick, but don’t want to spend a ton of money? Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick’s vivid color payoff, fully matte finish, and affordable price tag are just a few of the reasons why we think this pick should be in everyone’s makeup bag. Like the name suggests, this lippie is similar to tattoo ink, with impressive longevity and rich pigment. The precise applicator makes for an efficient application without the need of a lip liner, as the tip allows you to accurately line your cupid's bow and corners — sans mishaps. Our tester mentions that it also feels smooth and comfortable, and once dry, it doesn’t budge. “After my lips dry, there is little to no transfer when I eat or drink,” she says. Just make sure to let your lips fully dry before rubbing them together, otherwise the end result will feel clumpy. 

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 7|Size: 0.14 oz.

Best Refillable

Guerlain Customizable Lipstick

Guerlain Rouge G Refillable Lipstick

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    4.5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4/5

  • Wear

    4.5/5

What We Love What We Don't Love

Sure, there are plenty of refillable lip products — but this one from Guerlain stands out from the rest because it’s completely customizable. First, select your case, choosing from different colors, prints, and textures. Then, pick between nine scarlett hues and three different finishes (matte, satin, or metallic) to find your perfect lipstick. 

Because the bullet is creamy and lightweight, it effortlessly smooths onto lips. “I'd feel comfortable applying this lipstick even without a mirror, as it layers on very smoothly almost like a lip balm, but thicker and with pigment,” our tester shares. If you’re newer to red lips and tend to shy away from the bold color, this is a great option for you as it isn’t super vibrant. “It almost has a carefree and casual blurring effect like it has been worn for days,” adds our tester. “It's really giving Parisian luxury.”

Finish: Matte, Satin, Metallic|Red Shades Available: 9|Size: 0.12 oz.

Best Universal Red

MAC Original Lipstick

MAC Original Lipstick

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    4/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4.5/5

  • Wear

    4.5/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

If you’re just dipping your feet into the luscious red lipstick pool, we recommend opting for a universal red (i.e. one that looks impeccable on every skin tone). And there’s no better hue than MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo — if we can’t convince you, over 4,000 makeup lovers at Nordstrom have raved about the rich color. MAC is known for their vivid lipstick shades, and they have clearly nailed the perfect red tones. Upon application, InStyle’s Commerce Editor, Mary Honkus, finally understood the hype. “Despite being matte, it doesn’t settle into my lip cracks at all,” she says. “Plus, the color is rich without being too overpowering.”

While the formula is on the drier side, the matte finish ensures that this color stays looking fresh and bright all day. But, to combat any dryness, Honkus recommends applying a lip balm on top.

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 3|Size: 0.14 oz.

Best Hydrating

Tarte Juicy Lipstick

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lipstick

Tarte

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4/5

  • Wear

    4/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

Take the term 'juicy lips' to another level with Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lipstick. Formulated with shea butter, maracuja oil, vitamin E, and grapeseed oil, the pigmented bullet acts like a balm to instantly hydrate your lips and leaves them looking brightly glazed. Our testers love how easily it applies: “It only requires one light coat for the color to fully saturate lips,” one reviewer says.

This lipstick is perfect for those who like a little shine rather than a matte finish. While it does transfer a bit, your lips still maintain vibrancy. “The color stays bold, bright, and in place on my lips with minimal smudging after eating and drinking,” shares our tester. But, be mindful of where you store it, because it can become very melty if left out in the heat.

Finish: High Shine|Red Shades Available: 1|Size: 0.07 oz.

Best Lightweight

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Semi-Matte Lipstick

Fenty Icon The Fill Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    3/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don't Love

The semi-matte formula of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna The Fill Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick feels weightless on your lips — so much so that you’ll forget your lips are cherry red until you look in the mirror. This lip-rouge flows easily on the surface of your lips, instantly coating them in luscious pigment. “I love the light and smooth feel on my lips,” our tester shares. Plus, it only requires one full swipe for lips to be completely coated in an even red finish. While this lippie does fade when eating and drinking, it doesn’t smudge, so you won’t need to prime your lips with a liner. “I’m impressed this didn’t bleed at all; sometimes without liner I’ll get some feathering, but this is solid,” our tester explains. Aside from its vivaciously bold and lightweight formula, the product also comes in sleek refillable packaging. Once you finish a bullet, choose between three  scarlet hues, then pop it into the metallic case and you’re ready to pucker up and apply!

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 3 |Size: 0.134 oz.

InStyle / Tamara Staples

Best Color Payoff

ILIA High Impact Lipstick

ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    3/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don't Love

Whether you like to go bold on the daily or reserve it for  special occasions, everyone needs a signature red lipstick — and ILIA makes a great one. The Color Block High Impact Lipstick delivers vibrant color payoff with minimal effort. Our testers highlight how easy the lipstick glides over their lips: “The [rouge] is very soft, and the moisturizing components make it easy to apply,” shares one tester. Plus, the formula never feels tacky or cakey, even when reapplying throughout the day. Not to mention, the lipstick is also clean — free of phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, oxybenzone, and octinoxate — and cruelty-free, so you can feel extra good about your purchase.

Finish: Satin|Red Shades Available: 1|Size: 0.14 oz.

Best Vegan

Uoma Beauty Matte Lipstick

Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick in Whitney

Nordstrom

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    3/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    5/5

  • Wear

    5/5

What We Love What We Don't Love

Beeswax is a popular ingredient in clean lipsticks that works to moisturize lips — but unfortunately, it’s not vegan. In Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick, lesser-used mango butter replaces beeswax to create a lip product that is just as nourishing and better for the environment. The creamy bullet hydrates your lips while delivering a subtle matte finish that is sure to become a staple in your makeup routine. Compared to other red lipsticks that need to be layered to provide vibrancy, our tester says one swipe is all you need for the ideal color. Despite the hydration factor, this lipstick eventually does settle into fine lines (because it’s matte), so be sure to prep your lips with a lip balm to prevent that from happening.

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 2 |Size: 0.12 oz.

Best Long Lasting

Melt Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    5/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    5/5

  • Wear

    4/5

What We Love What We Don't Love

When you start your day with a bold red lip, more often than not it will be gone by lunchtime. That’s not the case with this long wearing lipstick from Melt Cosmetics, though — it will look just as fresh at the end of the night. With long lasting pigmentation, this formula is for the die-hard red lip wearer. As our tester notes: “There wasn’t any transfer and I’m sure this lipstick will last for hours on end.” Be sure to exfoliate prior to using this liquid lip as our tester did find that it clung to dry patches. Hot tip: you’ll want to use a bit of makeup removeron a cotton pad to fully remove this stain. 

Finish: Matte|Red Shades Available: 2 |Size: 0.106 oz.

Best Selection of Reds

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick

Smashbox Be Legendary Prime & Plush Lipstick

Sephora

Our Ratings

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Pigment

    4/5

  • Transfer Resistance

    4/5

  • Wear

    4/5

What We Love What We Don’t Love

There’s no such thing as too many red lipsticks (take it from someone who has over a dozen and counting). With six vibrant red shades to choose from, Smashbox checks every box in terms of undertones and brightness. Featuring cool tones, warm tones, burgundys, and scarlets, the legendary lipstick range has something for everyone. Coming in a gorgeous satin finish, it highlights your lips natural shape and plumpness thanks to the formula laced with peptides and ceramides — ingredients that will keep your lips comfortable and nourished. “It is easy to apply, and feels smooth, light, and moisturizing,” our tester raves. While this lipstick is long lasting, it’s not totally transfer-proof, so you’ll probably need to reapply after eating.  

Finish: Satin|Red Shades Available: Six|Size: 0.14 oz.

What To Keep in Mind 

  • Finish: When it comes to lipstick, professional makeup artist, Monica R, emphasizes that finding the right finish is vital to get the most out of your lipstick. Most lipsticks come in a matte, satin, or shine finish. If you’re looking for something long lasting, she recommends picking one with a matte finish (like the Sunnies Face Fluffmate) as they contain less moisture which makes them less transferable. If you have naturally drier lips, we recommend picking a hydrating lipstick with a shinier finish — one of our favorites is Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lipstick. Most lip products that have a shiny finish are naturally more moisturizing and longer lasting, as they are formulated with oils and vitamins. Another option (if you want the best of both worlds) is opting for a satin finish. This finish is great for those who want more of a natural look on their lips. ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick is one of the most comfortable satin finish lipstick around.
  • Shade: When choosing which shade of red to wear, R notes that it’s necessary to understand your skin’s undertones to find what reds look best. Naturally, cool-toned reds compliment fairer skin. On the other hand, if you have more of an olive skin tone (like R), orange and warm-toned reds complement it and will give you a healthy glow. Darker skin tones can handle brighter, more intense colors. If you have darker skin, opt for deeper burgundy hues. At the end of the day, you should wear what makes you happy and what you feel confident in. (And if you’re unsure of your undertone, opt for a universal red, like MAC Retro Matte Lipstick.)

InStyle / Tamara Staples

Your Questions, Answered

How do you wear red lipstick?

“I think red lipstick is the perfect statement and can uplift our mood or confidence when we use it, so on those days that I feel a little down or I need a boost, it's a great choice!” says Mariela Bagnato, professional makeup artist and founder of MBeauty. One of her favorite ways to wear a matte red lip is to pair it with a striking cat eye. She also loves wearing “minimal makeup with dewy skin, a ponytail, and a pop of color just on the lips,” for an easy everyday look.

What's the best way to apply red lipstick?

When it comes to applying red lipstick, there’s quite a bit of prep work involved to ensure it goes on flawlessly. “I love to exfoliate my lips prior to applying any lip to remove dry skin,” Bagnato says. After exfoliation, apply a hydrating balm to lock in moisture. 

If you’re worried about the lipstick feathering or bleeding, R recommends using a budge-proof lip liner, to ensure the lipstick doesn’t move. Bagnato likes to dab creamier formulas with a tissue to remove any excess product that can transfer. Once applied and dried, R says to clean the edges with a concealer so the end result is clean and crisp.

How can you get red lipstick out of clothes?

Nothing is worse than getting red lipstick on your favorite white button down. Fortunately, there are ways to remedy any makeup mishaps. First and foremost, don’t ever rub, as you run the chance of spreading the product and having it bleed. Instead, use alcohol or a stain remover to blot the stain with a damp cloth. After dabbing for a few minutes, run your garment under cold water to rinse off any remnants.  

InStyle / Tamara Staples

Why Shop With Us

Irene Richardson is a beauty and fashion commerce writer for InStyle, and Kaitlin Clark is the senior beauty commerce editor for InStyle. To update this article, they swatched and swiped dozens of red lipsticks, consulted the InStyle commerce team for their expert recommendations, and included their tried and true favorites.

Amanda Rosenthal is a commerce writer for InStyle. Amanda has experience researching and testing different makeup products and has tried tons of different lipsticks. With additional knowledge from professional makeup artists, Mariela Bagnato and Monica R, and first-hand experience trying out numerous red lips, she rounded up the top picks for this story. 

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