A fresh face and a red lip is a popular look that’s almost universally flattering. With a little bit of boldness, anyone can find the perfect red lip color to complement their skin tone and makeup.
I firmly believe in the power of red lips to perfect an outfit – when worn properly, bright lipstick draws attention to your smile and sets you up to be in the spotlight.
From stains to glosses, here are 10 of my favorite lip colors that will add the perfect cherry, burgundy, or summery red tint to your style.
1. Ruby Woo by MAC Cosmetics
MAC’s famous red lipstick is the queen of all red lipsticks. The bright red color has blue undertones for a pop of neon that can’t be missed. Plus, the creamy formula glides on evenly and stays on all night, with minimal feathering and smearing. It’s my go-to matte lipcolor that I can trust to stay put and give my lips a bold attitude.
2. Always Red Cream Lipstain by Sephora
This matte lip stain is a cheaper alternative to expensive lipsticks with much of the same staying power. The bright, bold red is pure and has a deepness to it – it’s perfect for a night out! Although it’s a bit drying, the stain formula will definitely stay on all night – after dinner and drinks too! I’d recommend it for any wedding receptions where you don’t want to deal with touch ups.
3. Mightiest Maraschino Intense Chubby Stick by Clinique
Lipsticks and stains can both be very drying, and sometimes all you want is a simple pop of red in a moisturizing lip balm. Clinique’s Chubby Stick Intense is the ultimate tinted lip balm – with none of that flaky, drying color that’s hard to get with a deep tint. The lip balm moisturizes first and applies color second, but it still manages to stain your lips a beautiful, summery orange-red. The color won’t last as long as a lipstick, but it’s great for a subtle tint of color if you’ve got time for touch-ups.
4. Cherry Lip Shimmer by Burt’s Bees
If I could only use one lip product on my lips, it would be Burt’s Bees lip balms. They’re so hydrating and soothing, and now they come in shimmery balms too! The soft moisturized feel of the patented formula now glides some glittery color onto your lips too. The cherry is a happy, basic red that add some natural glow to your makeup. While the color isn’t heavily pigmented, it’ll give you the same effect as a gloss with a lot more moisture.
5. Rose Tinted Lip Balm by Burt’s Bees
If you love Burt’s Bees but want some actual lip color instead of gloss, the tinted lip balms are amazing. While they still don’t have the matte effect and power of a lip stick, they are more pigmented than the lip shimmers and offer a deeper, burgundy-ish red color in Rose. I’d recommend them for events where you want to keep your look simple, such as if you’re already wearing lots of colorful makeup.
6. Classic Wine Colour Riche Lipcolor by Loreal
Lipstick and moisture often don’t go hand in hand – when you want pigmented color, you often compromise with a drying feel. However, Loreal’s Color Riche Lipcolor is a mix of a stain’s pigmentation and a balm’s moisture. It’s hydrating, without giving up too much color. The Classic Wine color is a beautiful burgundy-red that’s perfect for more serious occasions, like the office. While the color comes off a bit glossy instead of pure matte and strong, it’s a good compromise between red lips and vitamin E-infused hydration.
7. Shanghai Sizzle Colorstay Moisture Stain by Revlon
Halfway between a gloss and a creamy lipstain, Revlon’s Moisture Stain gives lips a sheen with a bright red base. The red-orange stain is fun and flirty – great for bright outfits and nights out. With vitamin E and aloe, the formula is more moisturizing than most glosses. The staying power isn’t very long, but with an easy-to-use gloss applicator, you can easily touch up as needed.
8. Fiery Red LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint by tarte
Like a lip balm, tarte’s Lip Tints are full of vitamin E and antioxidants for healthy lips. The peppermint-infused formula feels tingly and vibrant too. While the dark red shade is quite subtle, it can be built up in layers for a stronger color. The crayon applicator is handy to toss in your purse for quick touch-ups without a mirror, so I’d recommend this for longer wedding events or dinners.
9. Strawberry Lip Glaze by stila
Stila’s lip glosses are high-shine and offer a fabulous top-up to any matte lipstick. The sheer, pink-red color is subtle but colored enough to give lips a natural tint. Layer it on top of lipstick for a shiny look or wear it by itself for a shimmery smile. The gloss isn’t as sticky as other brands, but it’s safe to keep it away from runaway hairs anyway.
10. Harlot Matte Lip Tar by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
This neon, popsicle red lip tar is revolutionary both in color and in application. The color is bright red-orange, but it’s surprisingly flattering even on a brown skin tone. The lip tar is much different from a lipstick: it’s applied with a lip brush, much like using a paint brush. Plus, a small drop of the creamy formula lasts for your whole lips and covers them in a thick pigment of color. The staying power is pretty amazing, as I’ve worn it through dinners and drinks with minimal fading. While the application can’t be done on the spot, touch ups aren’t as necessary for this heavily pigmented product.
Whatever your shade of red, wear it boldly and don’t forget to smile! With lips so bright, you’re bound to draw more attention to your face – so make the most of it.
What are your favorite red lip colors?