No Gatekeeping Here—These 12 Red Lipsticks Look Especially Stunning on Dark Skin

I grew up with a strong affinity for all things that exude timeless elegance, so when I was finally old enough to start wearing makeup, I immediately began collecting red lipstick. It's also worth mentioning, however, that during that same time, there was limited inspiration I could draw from. I rarely came across an ad or makeup guide in the mid-2000s that featured anyone with a similar skin tone to mine sporting an eye-catching scarlet lip look.

That being said, as a dark-skinned beauty editor with a love for makeup, I strive to be the much-needed representation for others I didn't always see growing up. I reached out to Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Beauty and veteran makeup artist, to help me identify the tricky ins and outs of shopping for the best red lipsticks for dark skin tones on the market. Below, you'll find everything you need to know (plus, some expert-approved red lipstick picks to help get you started).

Style blogger Flora wears a burgundy red lip to the 2024 Brit Awards

(Image credit: @coco_floflo)

Finding for Your Perfect Shade Match

So is there one way to find the best shade match for your skin tone? There are several things to consider when hunting for the perfect red shade match to complement dark skin tones, and Geller has some easy-to-follow tips and tricks for making the process easier. "When choosing the right red lipstick for darker skin tones, the first thing I consider is the natural pigment of the lips. This can influence how a lipstick appears; for instance, some lips may shift the color to blue or pink, while others might take on an orangey hue," she says.

If you've previously experienced color shifting, intensifying, and feathering with red lipstick, she recommends starting with her brand's Modern Classic Invisible Color Locking Lip Liner, a transparent lip liner that will lock in your lip color and guard against smudging. To amplify a red lip, Geller suggests using the Modern Classic Waterproof Lip Liner in Ritzy Red—a versatile blue-toned color.

Using Undertones as a Guide

It's also helpful to evaluate red lipsticks based on how they look with your deep skin. "For those with cooler-toned skin, blue-based reds are ideal. If your lips tend to shift toward pink, a blue-toned shade like our Red Radiance will complement your natural hue beautifully. On the other hand, if you have a warmer skin tone, opt for reds with salmon or tan undertones," Geller says. She also underlines that these are simply guidelines, with the most important factor being choosing a red lipstick color that resonates with you. "Makeup is all about personal expression, so embrace what you love—there are no strict rules," she tells us.

Keep scrolling for the 12 best red lipstick shades for dark skin that Geller and WWW beauty editors swear by to create the perfect crimson-colored lip looks with little to no effort.

The Best Red Lipsticks for Dark Skin, Listed

Content creator Emmanuelle Koffi pays her red lips with a cherry red dress

(Image credit: @emmanuelle_k)

UK-based style blogger Flora wears glossy, brick-red lipstick

(Image credit: @coco_floflo)
Maya Thomas
Assistant Beauty Editor
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based just outside of Seattle, Washington. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.