I’ve gone on the record about how much I love lipstick. Whether it’s searching for my White Whale pink lipstick, or it’s trying out a lipstick with affirmations, I’m on board. Blame it on my love of Revlon’s Cherry in the Snow, what can I say?
As much as I love a nude lipstick, sometimes we want a lip color that pops — especially through the colder months, when accessorizing is best done on the face. But even though I’m constantly searching for ways to experiment with different shades and textures, red lipstick is one product that will never steer you wrong.
The good news: There are tons of red lipstick options on the market. The bad news: There are tons of red lip options on the market. When looking for the right one, you have to take into account formula, color, and your skin tone. So of course, we had to come together and find our favorite Ahead, the red lip colors that have our hearts… for now.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer
This one goes out to all the brides looking for a lip color that will literally last through dinner, drinks, and multiple kisses. It’s a rich, flattering red that’s not too bright — and it seriously stays on through anything.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, $, available at Ulta
Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Weightless Matte Lipstick in Major
There’s a reason we gave these lipsticks a Beauty Innovator Award in 2022 — they’re just fantastic. Light, easy to wear, yet versatile and pigmented, we’re so happy these lipsticks finally made the move across the pond.
Sunnies Face Fluffmatte Weightless Matte Lipstick, $, available at Sunnies Face
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
Don’t be put off by the “pencil” in the name — this performs more like a lipstick than a lip pencil in the traditional sense, and you’ll love this vampy, blue-toned lip color. Not only does it last forever on the lips, but it’s formula is so smooth and easy, you could probably put it on in the dark.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, $, available at NARS
Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Hustle in Heels
It kind of goes without saying that Maybelline, bar none, has some of the best lipsticks in the game. Easy to wear, great shades, and pigmented as hell — that’s all we can ask for. This crayon lipstick is a little less intense than the liquid lipstick from above, but given how buildable these crayons are, you’ll still get the payoff you desire.
Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick, $, available at Ulta
MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
Would it be a ‘best red lipsticks’ roundup without Ruby Woo? Yes, because MAC also has Russian Red for those who find Ruby Woo to be a bit too warm-toned for them. But nonetheless, it’s a classic, beloved by Rihanna herself, for a reason.
MAC Matte Lipstick, $, available at Ulta
Rouge Dior Forever Liquid in 999 Forever Dior
This lipstick feels like it was designed for a heavy makeout session, if that makes sense. It’s ultra-pigmented and so matte you’ll be thrilled — the brand promises 12 hours of wear. But this weightless formula will have your lips looking so kissable, you may just want to put it to the test.
Dior Rouge Dior Forever Liquid, $, available at Dior
NYX Cosmetics Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in Stamina
NYX Cosmetics owned the matte lipstick space long before other brands were even considering it, so it’s no surprise they’ve created a stellar red with Stamina. We love this blue-red shade for so many reasons, but mostly because it looks so good on deeper skintones.
NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick, $, available at Ulta
Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor in NonStop Cherry
There’s a reason these lip colors have been a mainstay for years: They’re actually just that great. The dual-sided tube asks the user to apply a pigment, and then apply a conditioning top coat to seal it all in, creating a kiss-proof, transfer-proof smile. And in this vampy, raspberry red shade, you’ll have other things to worry about than upkeep of your lipstick.
Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor, $, available at Ulta
Wet & Wild Megalast Liquid Lipstick in Missy And Fierce
Somehow, this liquid lipstick applies like a gloss, but transforms into a high-pigmented matte finish that will feel like a second skin. For not a second is this shade budging, even through many a cup of coffee. We’re obsessed with this blood red shade.
Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick, $, available at Ulta
Bossy Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipsticks in Courage
Bossy Cosmetics lives up to its name with courage, a coral-red that is perfectly suited for lighter skin tones. Will you feel like you’re on top of the world wearing it? Yes. And that’s exactly what a red lip should make you feel.
Bossy Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipsticks, $, available at Bossy Cosmetics
YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipstick Collection in Le Rouge
These YSL lipsticks aren’t just… lipsticks, they’re full of antioxidants intending to hydrate your lips, which you’ll want when you’re wearing such a stunning, full-coverage satin lip. It’s luxe, in the very best way.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipstick Collection, $, available at Sephora
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of No Shame
Charlotte Tilbury created the ultimate nudey-red here with this edition of her famous Walk of Shame shades. The Matte Revolution Lipsticks are already beloved for being wearable, beautiful, and performing masterfully — but she took it to a whole next level with this shade. For those not looking for a super bright, shocking red, this is perfect for you.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick – Walk of No Shame Collection, $, available at Charlotte Tilbury
The Lip Bar Vegan Liquid Matte Lipstick in Bawse Lady
The Lip Bar is not only a groundbreaking company in terms of BIPOC beauty representation in the marketspace, but also, Bawse Lady is a perfect lip color, one of the best reds currently on the market. You’ll never go wrong with this one.
The Lip Bar Vegan Liquid Matte Lipstick, $, available at The Lip Bar
Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte in Amour Fou
Refinery29’s Most Wanted team reviewed this red lipstick last year, and had us reconsidering our stance on French Girl Beauty. This true blue-red lipstick looked universally flattering on our team, and you’ll be saying “oui, oui!” when you rock this.
Violette_Fr Petal Bouche Matte, $, available at Violette_Fr
Kosas Weightless Lipstick Buttery Lip Color in Phoenix
Phoenix is the most gorgeous, fiery red that somehow — also as if by magic — feels low-maintenance and wearable for every day (or at least two or three days a week). It’s warm, but not so warm that it skews orange, and the formula is super hydrating without sacrificing that velvety semi-matte finish.
Kosas Weightless Lipstick Buttery Lip Color, $, available at Kosas
About-Face Cherry Pick Lip Color Butter in Cherry Good
These new lipsticks from About-Face aren’t nearly as intensely long-wearing or intense as some of the others on this list, but these live up to the “lip butter” name. You’ll get a ton of nourishment alongside a ton of gorgeous color payoff. We love this for the days you have to try, but don’t feel like trying.
About-Face Cherry Pick Lip Color Butter, $, available at About-Face
Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Lady Balls
Meet your future power red, the one you paint on when you need an extra boost of confidence before a long day at work, and the one you put on when date night with rolls around. Aside from its sexy, fire-engine pigment, which stands out beautifully on medium-toned complexions, this matte product stays on for hours. It will last through many kisses, cocktails, and dinners — as a true boss should.
Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick, $, available at Sephora
Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Glossy Liquid Lipstick in Unbreakable
Looking for a shiny glossy lipstick that will go absolutely freakin’ nowhere? Enter Urban Decay’s Vice Lip Bond. It’s truly magical — these look so shiny, so glossy on the lip, but will never transfer or have worry about getting caught on your hair or jacket. Unbreakable is a more warm orange-based red than the packaging would have you believe, but still an aesthetic nonetheless.
Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Glossy Liquid Lipstick, $, available at Sephora
ILIA Beauty Color Block Lipstick in Tango
This long-lasting, full-coverage lipstick is shockingly hydrating, too. Perfect for every day wear, you’ll wish you had a tube of Tango (and the brand’s very similar shade, True Red) for every bag, because these feel like a balm, while performing like a velvet lip.
ILIA Beauty Color Block Lipstick, $, available at ILIA Beauty
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