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Pucker Up! These Are the 15 Best Red Lipsticks, According to Pros

UPDATE best-red-lipstick-thumbnailUPDATE best-red-lipstick-header

There’s nothing like a lady in red. Not only does the sultry shade represent passion and desire, but there’s no question that iconic red lips make the biggest statement (if you’re looking for nude lipsticks, you’ve come to the wrong place). That said, before we pucker our pout, we have to recognize red lipstick isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. There are variations in color, finish, and pigment. There’s long-wearing red lipstick; there’s weightless lip stick; there are lip stains, tints, balms, and glosses—you name it. Are you a matte lipstick lover? A satin finish wearer? There are so many red lipstick shades (does “true red” mean anything anymore?!). You’ve got blue undertones, cherry red, orange-red—the list goes on. With all the beauty products in the world to keep up with, why does finding a perfect shade of red lipstick seem like the biggest challenge?

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!)


About the Experts:

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 Pigmented Red Lipstick:

ARMANI BEAUTY Lip Maestro in Four Hundred

ARMANI BEAUTY Lip Maestro in Four Hundred
Courtesy of ARMANI BEAUTY

Makeup artist Sophia Porter loves this lip color because of its classic look. “This is a velvet matte gel formula that feels so comfortable and hydrating while providing rich, pigmented color with four-hour wear,” she raves. 

2. Best Date Night Red Lipstick:

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red
Courtesy of MAC

If you’re after a unique and especially vibrant shade of red, Porter is drawn to this because of its blue-red finish. “This is one of my favorite blue-reds that doesn’t lean too “pink” but still has a richness to it,” she says.

3. Best Matte Red Lipstick:

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Vain

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Vain
Courtesy of NARS

Porter is a fan of this matte brick red shade because she especially loves the texture “The formula is a fluid that dries comfortably to a gorgeous matte finish without being overly drying,” she says. 

4. Best Edgy Rep Lipstick:

YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Longwear Lipstick in Reverse Red

YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Longwear Lipstick in Reverse Red
Courtesy of YSL

Porter fully stands by YSL for the best dark lip shades altogether, and says this in particular is her favorite. “It’s a gorgeous bordeaux shade with a matte finish,” she says. “This is perfect for a dark statement lip that will look nice on pretty much anyone.” 

5. Best Red-Orange Lipstick:

BYREDO Lipstick in Divorce 

BYREDO Lipstick in Divorce
Courtesy of BYREDO

We’re personally big on hues with a hint of orange, and Porter assures us this is our best bet. “This is a juicy red orange with a beautiful satiny finish,” she says. “It’s also a vegan formula and ultra pigmented.” 

6. Best Classic Red Lipstick:

GUCCI 500 Odalie Red

GUCCI 500 Odalie Red
Courtesy of GUCCI

If you’re after the quintessential red lip, this is it—according to celebrity makeup artist Nikki Parisi. “It’s the classic look,” she says. “I love the look this lipstick dries down to. It’s perfect for a red carpet or gala.”

7. Best Velvet Red Lipstick:

FENTY BEAUTY Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in The MVP

FENTY BEAUTY Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in The MVP
Courtesy of FENTY BEAUTY

If you’re looking to make a statement, Parisi ensures this lipstick will make you the showstopper at your next outing. “This velvet red will also keep your lips from becoming dry at the same time,” she says. “I absolutely love this creamy texture”

8. Best Luxury Red Lipstick:

DIOR Rouge Forever Liquid in 999 Forever Dior

DIOR Rouge Forever Liquid in 999 Forever Dior
Courtesy of DIOR

Another classic, according to Parisi. “Other than this delicious texture, the radiance of this shade is slim to none! This is Hollywood at its best.”

9. Best Shiny Red Lipstick:

KYLIE COSMETICS Lip Shine Lacquer in Don’t @ Me

KYLIE COSMETICS Lip Shine Lacquer in Don’t @ Me
Courtesy of KYLIE COSMETICS

If you’re a shiny girl, this one’s for you. Parisi lives for a shining red lip and says this one’s great for major nights out like birthdays and New Year’s Eve. “You cannot miss with this shine,” she says. 

10. Best Drugstore Red Lipstick:

MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Exhilarator

MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Exhilarator
Courtesy of MAYBELLINE

Beauty on a budget? “This is one of the best over-the-counter liquid lipstick lines for me,” Parisi says. “I use these on set and they are accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

11. Best Unique Red Lipstick:

HUDA BEAUTY Demi Matte Cream Liquid Lipstick in Boy Collector

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 subscriber comments 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 just because this cream lipstick dries down matte, doesn’t mean it’s drying. The water-rich formula offers up intense hydration so your lips never feel chapped or uncomfortable.

12. Best Long-Wear Red Lipstick:

IL MAKIAGE Infinity Long-Wear Matte Lip Cream in Geisha

 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 subscribers, 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.

13. Best Day-to-Night Red Lipstick:

ILLAMASQUA Antimatter Lipstick in Solar

 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 subscribers.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.

14. Best Deep Red Lipstick:

BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS Crushed Lip Color in Grenadine

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.

15. Best Mineral Red Lipstick:

BAREMINERALS Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick in Courage

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 of our IPSY commenters 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 a 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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About the author
Dahvi Shira
Dahvi Shira
Dahvi Shira is a Los Angeles-based beauty writer, who has a passion for hair, makeup, and skincare. She contributes regularly to Mane Addicts and her blog, Skyelyfe. Her work has also appeared on Glossy, People, E!, Sweety High and more.
About the author
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Maddie Aberman
Maddie is the senior manager of editorial at IPSY. She’s been covering beauty and wellness for more than nine years. Her work has appeared in Allure, Cosmopolitan, Popsugar, Women's Health, Good Housekeeping, and Seventeen, among other publications.
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Article Last Updated June 30, 2023 12:00 AM