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Whether it’s date night in your sexiest LBD or a festive party, accessorizing with red lipstick can give you an unparalleled wow factor. Red is the universal color of love, and wearing it can make you feel empowered as well as mesmerize others.
French women have long embraced an unfussy red lip sans liner to brighten their complexion, but anyone can nail a cherry pout. First, consider whether you prefer a sheer or satin formula, both of which are easy to wear, even during the day. Alternatively, opaque and liquid colors are able to stay put through meals and countless glasses of champagne.
Another benefit of wearing a red lip color is that, because it’s so bold, you can get minimal with your other makeup, creating a low-lift, high-glam look that’s instantly polished. Scroll on for the 12 best red lip colors we’ve found over the years, from old favorites to new beauties, with picks across every budget and formula. Once you make one of these picks yours, get ready to receive endless compliments all season long — and beyond!
Best Full-Coverage Red Lipsticks
1. e.l.f. O Face Satin Lipstick in No Regrets: You’ll have no regrets trying this cool cherry-red lip color with a satin finish. The lipstick equivalent of a power suit, makeup mavens say it’s “perfect in every way.” — $9 at Amazon!
2. Bourjois Velvet The Pencil Lipstick in Rouge Di’vin: A cult favorite French pharmacy brand, the 2-in-1 pencil formula makes this rich red easy to swipe on and tuck into a tiny evening bag. Instant glam! — $7 at Amazon!
3. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red: Beloved by celebs like Salma Hayek and Kate Moss, the brand’s bestselling formula is soft on lips, wears without drying and truly has some of the richest shades around. Try Red Carpet Red to evoke drama and mystery. — $35 at Nordstrom!
4. Spike Valentino Buttery Matte Refillable Lip Color in Red Fiesta: If you want to have people hanging on your every word, captivate them with the crème de la crème of lightweight, non-drying lipsticks. Valentino’s pigment-rich formula is suitable for any special occasion or date night. The shade Red Fiesta is a pop of wow! — $48 at Nordstrom!
5. MAC Cosmetics Claim To Fame Lipstick, Lip Liner and Lip Gloss Trio Gift Set in Ruby Woo: Taylor Swift has fan girled over Ruby Woo countless times, joining legions of other red lippie lovers. Grab the classic in this giftable set — which even includes liner and gloss — while it’s 25% off. — $33 (regularly $44) at Nordstrom!
6. Sisley Paris Le Phyto-Rouge Lipstick in Rouge Milano: A sultry rose shade that compliments any skin tone, the luxe formula has natural oils like Camellia oil and jojoba to nourish lips. The buildable coverage and luminous satin finish make lips glow. Pricey but worth it, Sisley Paris is a celebrity favorite! — $70 at Nordstrom
Best Long-Wear Liquid Red Lipsticks
7. Rimmel London Provocalips 16hr Kiss-Proof Lip Color in Kiss Me You Fool: If hanging under the mistletoe sounds like a drag, then “Kiss Me You Fool” might be for you. The two-part stain and gloss has over 13,000 reviews, with shoppers saying the lip color is long-lasting and amazing. Even better, it’s 40% right now, making it less than the cost of a latte — $5 (regularly $8) at Amazon!
8. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Le Rouge Paris: Promising 16-hour wear, L’Oreal’s liquid lipstick is a fan favorite. Given that it’s made with hyaluronic acid, the lightweight formula leaves lips hydrated, not dry — $11 (regularly $14) at Amazon!
9. Violette_Fr Petal Bouche in Amour Fou: From Guerlain’s creative director, Violette_Fr is the eponymously named brand from makeup artist and French It-girl Violette Serrat. Channel the French red lip with a universally flattering liquid lipstick in Amour Fou. It stays on all night and is bound to garner compliments — $31 at Violette_Fr
10. Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Ultra Wear Lip Colour in Intense Blueberry: Another two-in-one, this Chanel duo partners a dramatic, saturated liquid lip color with a high-shine gloss. Intense Blueberry is an on-trend burgundy shade that is perfect for those looking for a deeper red. One review raves, “It lasts through coffee, kissing, drinking water, having lunch, and numerous meetings. I’ll buy this again and again.” — $48 at Nordstrom!
Best Sheer and Glossy Red Lip Colors
11. Jones Road The Lippie Stick in Ruby: Your everyday beat just got a sheer red kiss of hydrating lip color. From makeup legend Bobbi Brown, Jones Road’s Lippie Stick is made with cocoa butter and essential oils to soften lips. The cushiony balm formula is perfect if you want a wearable wash of red to brighten your face, day or night. For more intense color, don’t miss the brand’s moisturizing Lip Tint in the same ruby shade — $22 at Jones Road Beauty!
12. Dior Lip Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss in 028 Intense Dior 8: If you want the look of a red lipstick with less commitment, the cult-favorite Dior plumping gloss has a brand-new intensely pigmented range with colors that are nearly as opaque as lipstick. Intense Dior 8 is the universal red of our dreams — $40 at Nordstrom!
