A bold red lip is timeless and adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit, even an everyday look like a t-shirt and jeans. But with so many different brands, formulas, and shades out there, you might be feeling unsure about which is the best one for your needs.
So, let us guide you through the lipstick basics including understanding colour undertones to find out whether a dark red, brick red, pink, or blue lipstick would suit you, whether to choose a matte or gloss finish, and more. Then we'll share our favourite products to buy at Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, and Boots from best-selling brands like Dior, NYX, and MAC. Whatever your skin tone (pale, olive, or dark) or skin type, the perfect shade of red is out there!
Quick List - Top Red Lipsticks
Shiseido
Luxuriously Lightweight for Comfortable Wear All Night Long
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
If you've got a fair complexion and cool undertones, a lipstick shade with a blue base is ideal as it'll warm up your skin. You'll be able to tell if you're cool-toned by looking at your veins which will usually be blue or purple rather than green. Cool ruby reds and dark berry reds like wine and cranberry shades will create a strong pop of colour that'll really stand out against pale skin and make you feel totally glamorous!
Blue toned lipsticks are extremely flattering as they brighten the wearers smile and give the appearance of whiter teeth. If bold lipstick is unchartered territory, take a berry-toned red and gently dab it on the lips to create a sheer stain.
Play around slowly building up the intensity if you're not confident in rocking a solid block colour. Ruby red lipstick will look good on almost every complexion as it mimics the undertones in most natural lip colours.
Blessed with olive or tanned skin? You'll probably find that you suit gold jewellery better and your veins will appear more green in colour. For the record, this isn't because they are actually green - it's because you're seeing blue veins through yellow-toned skin!
If this sounds like you, opt for a lipstick shade with warm undertones. Yellow or orange-based reds such as tomato or tangerine shades will really compliment your warm complexion and make it look even more golden.
Warmer toned reds are often brighter and more vibrant. Electric orange tones really stand out - make sure that the rest of your make-up uses similar warm shades such as bronzey and peachy tones for it to all look cohesive.
In conjunction with blue-toned lipsticks, warm orange-based reds can bring out any discolouration in the teeth, so finding the right balance of undertone is key. Tip: if you feel it's too bright, try using a neutral red lip liner underneath to create a definition and richer colour.
Darker skin-tones suit a variety of gorgeous shades with both warm and cool undertones. As your skin tone is deeper, you can get away with much more intense pigments - so don't be afraid to make a statement! Deep scarlet hues and rich berry tones with a hint of purple are particularly flattering as they stand out on darker complexions, but you'll look stunning in a bright, brick red hue too.
For the perfect everyday lip colour, I’d suggest a berry red. This colour is extremely flattering on all deep skin tones and works as a sheer wash for daytime with the option to amp it up with a darker liner for evening wear.
A fiery, warm-toned red makes the perfect party statement, particularly on golden undertones. For a more natural look, opt for a brick red lipstick. With brown undertones, this colour will appear the most honest and match almost any eye look, giving it versatility.
Matte finish lipsticks provide great coverage, feel smooth to the touch, and are long-lasting - so you can eat and drink all day freely without worrying about whether you'll need a touch-up. They can be quite drying though, so we recommend moisturising your lips with a balm before applying one.
At the other end of the spectrum are gloss lipsticks, which add moisture and shine to your smile. Plus they can make thin lips look bigger and plumper, which is always a bonus. However, they may feel a little sticky and will need reapplying throughout the day to keep your pout looking pristine.
Want more options for long-lasting lipsticks? We have just the suggestions!
Matte lipsticks are packed full of pigment so one stroke will give a strong coverage for a statement lip. Glossy products are naturally much shearer so a great option if you aren't as confident wearing a bold lip look.
These of course can also be paired together - the long-lasting finish of a matte with the hydrating, plumping effect of a gloss will give you the best of both. I'd always recommend using a lipliner underneath any formula, this will define the shape whilst also giving you a backup of colour.
Traditionally, lipstick is exactly what it says on the tin: a solid stick of colour, usually in a small metal case, that you apply to your pout. Nowadays though, a solid formula can also come in the shape of a pencil or pen, which makes it easier to colour your lips in quickly and evenly - this is particularly handy if you're travelling or if you're simply a beginner who struggles with filling in your pout neatly.
In contrast, liquid or cream lipsticks typically involve a bottle and a brush. They require a bit more concentration during application as they're harder to remove if you make a mistake. On the plus side, they tend to be much more highly pigmented and longer-lasting than solid formulas - if you're going for full-on glamour, this kind of product is the one to pick as it'll stay put all night long!
Browse more matte lipsticks here!
A liquid lipstick requires a precision application and consists of a drier formula - if you have chapped or dry lips, this may not be the best option unless you prep with a lip scrub and balm first. Liquid lipsticks don't necessarily require a lip liner as the full pigment, and the brush applicator will do most of the work, leaving you with a smudge-proof finish.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream |Amsterdam | ![]() | Long-Lasting, Ruby Red Perfection for All Skin Tones | |
2 | MAC Mini Matte Lipstick |Russian Red | ![]() | A Mini Version of an Iconic MAC Shade | |
3 | Barry M Lip Paint |Bombshell | ![]() | Intense Matte Colour From a Well-Loved Drugstore Brand | |
4 | Shiseido Modern Matte Powder Lipstick |Nocturnal | ![]() | Luxuriously Lightweight for Comfortable Wear All Night Long | |
5 | L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick |I Don't | ![]() | Bold Colour Promising a Breathable, No-Makeup Feel | |
6 | Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Rock’N Shine Lipstick|Rock'N Red | ![]() | A Sophisticated Way to Add Some Sparkle to Your Smile | |
7 | Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Reds Collection Lipstick|Matte Fired Up | ![]() | Creamy, Conditioning, and Ultra-Smooth Lipstick | |
8 | Dior Addict Stellar Shine Lipstick |Diorinfinity | ![]() | A Glossy, Super Hydrating Formula for Dry Lips | |
9 | Clinique Pop™ Reds Lip Colour|Red Hot | ![]() | Long Wearing, Non-Bleeding, Richly Pigmented Reds Lip Colour | |
10 | Max Factor Colour Elixir Bullet Lipstick |Sunset Red | ![]() | A Cheap and Cheerful Summery Shade |
We love that this product is universally flattering, has a subtle sweet scent, and adds moisture to your pout whilst still providing a matte finish. Best of all, at under £10 it's an extremely affordable buy!
MAC's bestselling "Russian Red" lipstick now comes in a mini size - perfect for stowing in your handbag for quick touch-ups! This iconic shade is a firm favourite of celebrities like Dita Von Teese, so it'll undoubtedly add glamour to any outfit.
Since it has blue undertones, it'll look particularly great on those who have fairer skin and dark hair. We think this product is ideal if you want to try out the shade before buying a full-size version, and you can't go wrong with spending less than £15 on a premium makeup brand.
This intensely pigmented lipstick by drugstore brand Barry M has a smooth, velvety formulation that won't dry out your lips. The striking "Bombshell" shade has a warm, slightly orange undertone but will suit all complexions, so it's a great everyday staple for your makeup bag.
As well as being versatile, this lipstick is completely vegan and cruelty-free (just like all Barry M products) which is always a bonus. Plus, its affordable price point means that it will be gentle on your pockets too.
This lust-worthy matte lipstick by luxury Japanese brand Shiseido delivers full-coverage colour in a vampy shade that will look amazing on both fair and dark skin tones. The non-drying formula, which lasts for up to 8 hours, feels utterly weightless and provides a powder-soft finish on your lips.
Velvety and long-lasting, this lipstick is inspired by Tokyo's lively nightlife and comes in 24 colours. We think the stunning blood-red colour, long-lasting formula, and sleek packaging of this lipstick make it worth the high price, as it'll keep you looking glam for a long time.
Although the liquid formula of this product may be a little tricky to apply, especially when you're on the move, we're sure you'll agree that the end result is worth the extra effort. Despite the shade name, you'll definitely be saying "I do" to this one!
This vibrant, mango-scented lipstick by YSL has a hydrating formula that provides a beautiful glossy finish. The "Rock'N Red" shade we've selected has a slight blue undertone so will suit pale and dark skin tones alike.
To add a touch of sparkle to your lips, this product even has a glitter star core! Although it might be a bit too glam for everyday wear, we think it's ideal for special occasions when you want to dazzle those around you!
With aloe vera and beeswax, this moisturising formula by Dior will keep your lips feeling supple all day. Plus, the pearlescent micro-pigments work to reflect the light and create a stellar shine that'll take your look to a whole new level!
It's unfortunate that this product has such a flat tip, making it difficult to line your lips neatly. It's also our most expensive pick, but it's a fantastic beauty buy in a classic red shade that will suit most complexions.
A range of deeply pigmented, alluring red lipsticks that may be applied on the lips as well as the cheeks to enhance any skin tone. Each of the seven hues in the Clinique Shade Match Science collection was formulated to match the skin tone and undertone of the wearer based on a proprietary algorithm.
Non-bleeding, feather-resistant application makes this product a breeze to use, and it lasts up to 8 hours. The only reason this product is so low on our list is the fact that there are cheaper options out there that do just as good a job at providing lasting colour.
This lipstick by Max Factor is matte but contains lots of vitamin E to keep your lips nice and smooth. As the name "Sunset Red" suggests, it's an orange-based red with shimmery flecks of gold.
This shade particularly complements olive and tanned skin, making it the perfect choice for a beach holiday. Whilst we love how inexpensive this product is, it sadly doesn't last as long as some of our other recommendations and the packaging is pretty basic.
Doing this will seal in the lip shade and remove any tackiness, a perfect technique if you have found your favourite colour but want a different finish. Lipstick can give a real inner confidence boost, so play around with different shades until you find your favourite. Don't be afraid to mix colours too!
Written and researched by Nicola McClements
No. 1: NYX|Soft Matte Lip Cream |Amsterdam
No. 2: MAC|Mini Matte Lipstick |Russian Red
No. 3: Barry M |Lip Paint |Bombshell
No. 4: Shiseido |Modern Matte Powder Lipstick |Nocturnal
No. 5: L’Oréal Paris |Rouge Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick |I Don't
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