Before we dive in, let’s get this out of the way: anyone can wear whatever red lipstick they like, full-stop. “The right red is the one that makes you feel good,” Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles, whose clients include Margot Robbie, Gabrielle Union, and Lily Collins, tells Allure.
However, you can expedite finding a red lipstick you love by considering your skin tone and your skin’s undertone. We asked professional makeup artists to share the red lipstick shades that flatter all complexions, along with some classic red recommendations from affordable brands and luxury brands for you to choose from.
Below you’ll find everything from drugstore steals you can snag on Amazon to high-end products at Sephora that are surely worth the splurge. In addition, you’ll be able to shop hydrating picks you’ll mistake for lip balm, matte finishes that just glide on, and even some that won’t budge throughout the day. (We’re looking at you, Dior.)
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Sunnies Face Fluffmatte in Hot Sauce
Sunnies Face is a Filipina-owned brand that does lipstick right — hence why it’s a 2022 Best of Beauty winner. Case in point: the Fluffmatte lipsticks. The matte formula (available in 15 shades) is never drying on the lips, and this shade, Hot Sauce, is a vibrant tomato-red that works on everyone.
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Maybelline New York Color Sensational Ultimatte Slim Lipstick in More Ruby
After winning a Best of Beauty award in 2021, the Maybelline New York Color Sensational Ultimatte Slim Lipstick has quickly become a favorite of senior commerce writer Angela Trakoshis. It features kaolin, silva, and nylon-12, all of which absorb excess oil and provide that no-shine look. Plus, this shade More Ruby, never transfers, making it an all-time must-have of Trakoshis’s.
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Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick in Forever Dior
The Dior Rouge Dior Forever is its first-ever transfer-proof lipstick. It has intense pigment and all-day comfort that lasts up to 16 hours. Makeup artist Robin Black says that it even stays in place with a mask on, making it smudge-proof — which we all know by now is impressive, especially for this perfect red hue.
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Urban Decay Vice Bond Liquid Lip Color in Unbreakable
Red liquid lipsticks can seem scary, but the Urban Decay Vice Bond in Unbreakable is anything but that. It’s a comfortable, easy-to-wear formula that lasts up to 16 hours — it can even handle the greasiest of pizzas.
