Ah, the allure of red lipstick. It's sexy. It's powerful. It's classic. People have been donning red lips for thousands of years, after all. Even Queen Cleopatra herself reportedly had a favorite shade of crimson. A red lip is truly timeless, and that's precisely why you can find a gazillion options on the market to choose from. Looking for a high-shine, vinyl-like liquid formula? I can give you no less than 16 recommendations. Craving a soft matte burgundy? Options abound!
The sheer number of lippies out there can make any beauty lover's head spin, but that's where we come in. My fellow beauty editors and I have tested more red lipsticks than we can count over the years, and here, we've ranked the top 12 for your browsing pleasure. We also consulted trusted makeup artists for their recommendations and shopping tips. Get ready to pucker up with your new staple shade.
The Best Red Lipsticks of 2024, Listed
- Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick
- Kjaer Weis Lipstick
- Violette_Fr Petal Bouche
- Neen Going Steady Longwear Matte Lip Color
- Le Rouge Français Le Rouge Alizarine Lipstick
- Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick
- Les Filles en Rouje Le Rouge Jeanne
- Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick
- Chanel Rouge Coco Flash
- Gucci Velvet Matte Lipstick
- Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
- Manasi 7 All Over Colour
The Best Red Lipsticks of 2024
1. Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick
Finish: Matte
Undertone: True red
Celebrity makeup artist Aurélie Payen calls this Rouge Dior Lipstick her favorite of all time. It has the perfect velvet-matte finish, so it became an on-set staple for Lily Collins, Payen's longtime client, while she was filming Emily in Paris.
Customer review: "So silky smooth and comfortable on the lips. Will wear off but lasted through cocktails and a dinner. Classic for a reason!"
2. Kjaer Weis Lipstick
Finish: Satin
Undertone: Blue
Kjaer Weis lipsticks are creamy, buildable, and super moisturizing. Trust me—these formulas won't make your lips appear cracked moments after swiping on the bullet. I'm wearing the shade KW Red in the photo above, which is sadly sold out on the website. Sucre, however, is a similarly cool-toned red in a gorgeous, slightly darker hue. I just may have to add this one to my ever-growing collection.
Customer review: "Very light and pretty, nice clean and creamy texture. Just a light application works beautifully."
3. Violette_Fr Petal Bouche in Amour Fou
Finish: Matte
Undertone: Blue
WWW associate beauty editors Kaitlyn McLintock and Shawna Hudson both consider Petal Bouche a makeup-bag staple. The liquid formula comfortably hugs the lips with hydrating color, and the matte finish is meant to replicate the velvet texture of a rose petal. I mean, how do you not swoon over that description?
Not to mention, it's super buildable. You can apply just a touch and diffuse it with your fingertips for a Popsicle-like wash of pigment, or you can apply a richer coat for more of an impact. McLintock went the latter route in the photo above, which looks stunning.
Customer review: "I understand there may be some that find it somewhat tricky to use. It is not when you apply it correctly (look up her videos). This is, for me, the best red ever, and I've tried so many of them. It does not dry my lips. It stays on. (It's not completely bulletproof, but this is a luxurious red we're talking about; it's worth the occasional touch-up after a meal or a few hours.) The color is divine for my fair/light skin and photographs superbly. At the office, I apply it again only in the afternoon. I get six hours of the perfect red no problem. It removes evenly only with baby wipes, a fault I don't care about because of its many advantages."
4. Neen Going Steady Longwear Matte Lip Color
Finish: Matte
Undertone: Orange
Professional makeup artist Jeanine Lobell, founder of Neen, says her Going Steady liquid lipstick is perfect for those looking for a "softer but bright" lip without opting for a classic, blue-based pigment. "I always reach for Fire, which is an orange-red, when I want to give a super-modern look," she tells Who What Wear.
Customer review: "I'm obsessed with the colors, but the finish and wear are INCREDIBLE!!!! They leave an opaque, satiny matte finish that's so comfortable and so gorgeous! Hope they expand the color range for my new fave lip!"
5. Le Rouge Français Le Rouge Alizarine Lipstick
Finish: Satin
Undertone: True red
I'll let you in on a secret: Le Rouge Français is one of the most underrated French makeup brands. It's not sold at many third-party retailers here in the U.S. (aside from NYC's C.O. Bigelow), but honestly, the exclusivity makes it feel even more like a treasure. The plant-based formula is creamy and buildable, and just look at those intricate etchings on the tube—simply gorgeous!
Customer review: "A beautiful, neutral, and multidimensional red that is moisturizing and long-lasting, a pleasure to use either as a lipstick or as a stain. I now reach for it more than any other lip color in my bag, especially as I find it's easy to apply even without a mirror."
6. Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick
Finish: Satin
Undertones: Orange, brown
Assistant beauty editor Maya Thomas is quick to call out this stunning Merit number. The brand claims that it's so lightweight you'll forget you're even wearing it, and I totally agree. This is one of the most comfortable lippies I've tested.
Customer review: "I'm obsessed with every single product Merit creates! This lipstick texture feels luxurious, and the color is perfect. I need them all!!!"
7. Les Filles en Rouje Le Rouge Jeanne
Finish: Semi-matte
Undertone: True red
French It girl Jeanne Damas loved this shade of red so much she named it after herself. How's that for a glowing endorsement? The formula is lightweight and endlessly buildable, and the packaging doubles as an objet d'art.
Customer review: "The lipstick is amazing! New formula is like a matte tint, which creates a nice natural layer, yet full of color that you can dose for a stronger effect. Will definitely buy more shades in the future and hope the formula stays as it is."
8. Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick
Finish: Matte
Undertone: Orange
This poppy red has a light, powdery finish that will instantly convert you into a matte-lipstick lover. Just take it from our very own editors! Plus, when someone asks you what lip color you're wearing (they undoubtedly will—the color is that gorgeous), you get to say something along the lines of, "Oh, it's Hermès." I can't think of anything chicer.
Customer review: "I have this lipstick in Rouge Casaque and Rouge Hermès. They are both amazing colors. The best part is that although matte, they are very moisturizing and comfortable to wear. I love this lipstick!"
9. Chanel Rouge Coco Flash
Finish: Glossy
Undertone: Orange
High-shine, vinyl red lips are made oh so simple with Chanel's buttery lip color. The ultra-hydrating pigment transforms into a silky oil upon application, which gives your lips a juicy finish sans gloss. Think of it as a super-pigmented lip balm—that's how moisturizing the formula feels. It's no wonder McLintock also credits it as one of her all-time favorites. (FYI, Margot Robbie and Sofia Richie Grainge are fans of the petal-pink version.)
Customer review: "Luscious shade and a perfect slip. The texture is light but the coverage is strong and delicate at the same time; meaning the coverage is complete but there is no heavy or unnatural feeling. I love, love, love this!!"
10. Gucci Velvet Matte Lipstick
Finish: Matte
Undertones: Blue, pink
Gucci's burgundy lipstick officially changed my mind about burgundy lipstick. I always thought the moody, blue-toned shade didn't suit my skin tone, but if there's any brand that can inspire me to leap outside my comfort zone, it's Gucci. Well, I fell in love at first swipe. It has a smooth, rich formula that glides on my lips like butter, yet it dries down to a comfortable matte.
Customer review: "I am a self-taught makeup artist, but I love to sample new products when I get the chance. I bought this lipstick a couple of months ago, and I haven't been able to get the color, texture, and staying power of this lipstick out my head!!! It's the best matte lipstick that I have used in years. I've sampled Louboutin, Dior, and Chanel. This lipstick is beautiful!"
11. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
Finish: Matte
Undertone: Orange
Hudson also adores this chili red from Charlotte Tilbury, which has a soft, cashmere finish and a square-angled tube that precisely hugs each curve of your lips. The finish is matte, yes, but the formula also features 3D glow pigments that can actually help your lips appear fuller. I have the brand's Pillow Talk version, so I can attest to its velvety payoff and extra long-wear, but now, I must add the warm-toned red to my rotation.
Customer review: "I love this color! It is absolutely beautiful! I normally don't wear red, but this red right here looks amazing on my lips! On top of it being beautiful, it smells good, and the texture and the hydrating benefits are amazing as well, so I highly recommend this lipstick!"
12. Manasi 7 All Over Colour
Finish: Satin
Undertone: Blue
I love a lip color I can also dab on my cheeks and eyelids (it feels very French), and this pot of creamy pigment was practically made for multitasking. Alizarin, a cool-toned red, gives my skin a nice, healthy flush. I also just got my hands on the brand's new Pacaya (a berry brown), and I fell in love fast. I've been wearing it every single day for the past week. It's incredibly buildable, so I can tap a teeny bit on my lips for some subtle color or really coat on the pigment for a dramatic, just-bitten finish.
Customer review: "Powerful color on my olive skin and also looks great as eyelid shadow … [and] brightens up the whole face."
Which shade of red should you choose?
I won't sugarcoat it: Finding the perfect shade of red lipstick can be tricky. It takes some personal testing to discover the formula, finish, and payoff you prefer, but makeup artists have some general guidelines that can help you narrow down your shades.
- Undertones: First, you'll want to consider your undertones, the underlying pigment in your skin. Do you lean more cool or warm? For cool-toned individuals, lipsticks with blue or berry undertones will be your best bet. True reds also tend to look superb on cooler skin tones. If you have warm undertones, opt for an orange- or brick-toned lip. "Neutral undertones can pull off most shades, but it's still essential to strike a balance depending on their exact skin tone," celebrity makeup artist J Guerra previously shared with Who What Wear
- .Clothing: Undertones aren't the only important factor to consider, however. Lobell says you can also tie your lip to your outfit. "If you are wearing earth tones, a brick red can be the way to go. With black or white clothing, a blood red is always a classic. Pastels can be more compatible with a pinky red," she says.
- Personal preference: At the end of the day, your lipstick choice is, well, yours. Go ahead and choose whichever red strikes your fancy. "I actually think it's less skin tone dependent and more vibe specific," Lobell adds. "If you are not up for a full, strong blood red, lean into something with more yellow, like an orange or more coral red." You know what looks best on your own lips—trust those instincts.
How to Apply Red Lipstick
Applying red lipstick requires a bit more precision than, say, a sheer mauve or nude since the payoff is much richer and has more room for error. First, Lobell recommends exfoliating your lips with a gentle scrub to keep the surface nice and even. "You can use an actual lip scrub, or even a toothbrush works if you're in a pinch," she notes.
Follow up with a hydrating lip balm so your pout can soak up all the moisture it needs. This is especially important if you're opting for a matte finish, which can make the lips appear drier. After letting the balm absorb for a few minutes, blot away any residue before grabbing your lip color du jour.
Dab the product directly on the center of your bottom lip only, Lobell says, then rub your lips together to spread the pigment. "Using the doe foot or brush, apply to the edges carefully with less product," she instructs. "I like to buff the edge of the lip line a little to keep it more blurred and avoid harsh lines." You can do that with a small brush or your own fingertip.
If you make a mistake, don't sweat it! "A [cotton swab] and micellar water will do the trick," Lobell adds.
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