1 day Ago By Jenny Berg, Conçetta Ciarlo
The best red lipsticks bolster confidence, ooze glamour, and command attention—but they’re not always for the faint of heart. “A red lip is a classic accessory, but a lot of people are scared to make the plunge,” says makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, whose clients include Chelsea Handler and Jenny Slate. Her advice? “Walk into your fear and watch as everyone compliments your fabulous lip!” Vogue’s Favorite Red Lipsticks Greenberg is so passionate about welcoming newbies to the red-lip club that she added The Bloss —The Red One —a subtle glossy take on the hue—to her Jamie Makeup line.
“It’s the perfect getaway red,” she says. For everyone else, whether new to reds or practically born with a cherry-hued pout, there’s a red lipstick that will quickly become your go-to. All it takes is some willingness to blot your lips off and try again.
Below, find the 21 best red lipsticks for high-gloss glamour, softly blurred color, and more. In This Article Best Vibrant Red: Chanel Rouge Allure L’Extrait High Intensity Lip Color in 854 Best Creamy: Gucci Velvet Matte Lipstick in 500 Odalie Red Best Iconic Red: Dior Rouge Forever in 999 Forever Dior Best Drugstore: Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Exhilarator Best Precision Applicator : Fenty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored Best Glossy: Yves Saint Laurent The Bold High Pigment Lipstick in 1971 Rouge Provocation Best Compact: Fara Homidi Essential Lip Compact Best Liquid : Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick Best Matte: Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte in Amour Fou Best Single-Coat Coverage : Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Vendetta Best Satin: Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Tango Best for Fuller-Looking Lips: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Cinematic Red Best Brick Red: Merit Signature Lip in Tiger Best Long-Wearing: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Moisturizing Cream Lipstick in 143 Rouge Bababoum Best Blurred Effect: Saie Lip Blur in Classic Best Moisturizing: Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick in Pop Best Clean Beauty : Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick in Ma Biche Best Satin: Hourglass Unlocked Satin Crème Lipstick in Red Best Retro Red: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo Best Burgundy: NARS Explicit Lipstick in Last Night Best Hydrating Liquid Lipstick: Maed Signature Lip Pigment in Ritual Red To choose the best red lipstick for your complexion, “look at your jewelry,” Greenberg suggests. “If you gravitate toward silver, it might mean your undertones are cooler.
If you tend to go for gold jewelry, your undertones are likely warm. If you rock both gold and silver, you’re lucky! You can wear any red.” She adds that blue-based reds tend to flatter cooler skin tones, while orange-based hues complement warmer tones.
Along with color, “there are a few things to consider when choosing your red lipstick—the finish, longevity, and application, to list a few,” says Lisa Aharon, Rachel Brosnahan’s go-to makeup artist. “Do you prefer a matte, satin, glossy, or sheer finish? Is it a long-lasting formula that you’re after, or something balmy that you don’t mind reapplying more often? Is it preferable for you to use a crayon, a liquid, or a classic bullet for ease of application? It’s a good idea to experiment with different finishes, formulas, and applicators to find what works best for you.” If you’re looking for an enduring classic, “Dior 999, MAC Ruby Woo or Lady Danger, NARS Velvet Matte Pencil Dragon Girl, and Chanel 444 Gabrielle are classic reds,” Greenberg says.
Aharon concurs, adding that Ruby Woo is a “timeless, blue-based red that suits a variety of skin tones,” while the NARS formulation is a “vibrant, blue-toned red pencil that provides long-lasting matte finish.” Aharon also describes Dior 999 is “an iconic and classic shade of red,” and says that Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Carpet Red is “a true Hollywood red with a matte finish. It gives Old Hollywood glamour,” she says.
“A new icon in the running would have to be the Gwen Stefani Gxve Lipstick in Original Recipe Red, ” Greenberg predicts. Before applying, “make sure you’ve exfoliated your lips and removed any dead skin,” Greenberg instructs. “Moisturize them and then blot so your lips are dry to begin.
” Next, reach for a lip liner that matches the chosen red shade exactly, or is a bit darker, suggests Aharon. You’ll use this to outline your lips. “Start by defining your cupid’s bow and then carefully line the rest of your lips,” she says.
“This step helps create a precise shape and prevents the lipstick from smudging.” Aharon recommends applying the lipstick with a brush, or—for a more intense color payoff— swiping it on directly from the bullet. But whatever you choose, start in the center of your lips and work your way outwards.
“Be precise and stay within the lip liner for a clean finish,” she says. For a more long-lasting finish, “blot your lips with a tissue or blotting paper to remove any excess product,” Aharon adds, “Then apply a second layer of lipstick to build up the color and ensure even coverage.”.
