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).
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
- Laura Geller Modern Classic Cream Lipstick in Red Radiance
- Kjaer Weis Lipstick in Adore
- Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick in Bloodroses Noir
- Estée Lauder Pure Color Explicit Slick Shine Lipstick in Heat of the Moment
- Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in Tiger
- Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Pain Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored
- Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick in Scarlet Rouge
- Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer
- Prada Beauty Monochrome Soft Matte Refillable Lipstick in Lacca
- Hourglass Unlocked Satin Creme Lipstick in Red
- Ogee Full Bloom Sculpted Lipstick in Santana
- Chantecaille Lip Chic Lipstick in Dahlia
Geller loves her Modern Classic Cream Lipstick in Red Radiance because it has a unique super-soft texture infused with synthetic beeswax and vitamin E that allows the product to melt onto the mouth without falling into fine lines. Red Radiance is a classic crimson shade that looks stunning on deep skin tones.
Customer Review: "I love the rich color, and the smooth application. I have been looking for this particular shade of red for a while and finally found it!"
Pros: formula is infused with synthetic beeswax for effortless glide
Cons: none
Specs: 1.13 oz retractable lipstick tube
If you're in the market for a berry-red shade with a blue undertone, try Kjaer Weis Lipstick in Adore. Its certified organic and silicone-free formula delivers budge-free color with major moisture thanks to organic beeswax, jojoba, and sweet almond oil.
Customer Review: "I feel glamorous each time I look at this lipstick. The packaging is gorgeous, and the color is beautiful on my darker skin tone. I'm so glad I treated myself to it."
Pros: leaves behind a perfect semi-matte finish
Cons: formula can be drying on already chapped lips
Specs: 0.15 oz retractable lipstick tube
Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick in Bloodroses Noir is a favorite of mine because its the ideal berry-toned red with a touch of burgundy. This creamy lipstick is available in three textures (matte, cream, and shine) and has slimline packaging, allowing for quick and easy application. Just swipe and go!
Customer Review: "I make sure I never run out of this lipstick! Great coverage, great color. It’s my daily go-to!"
Pros: slim design allows for easy and precise product application
Cons: reapplication needed for all-day wear
Specs: 0.07 oz. retractable lipstick tube
The Pure Color Explicit Slick Shine Lipstick comes in a number of shades that are highly complementary of dark skin, but the Heat of the Moment color strikes the perfect balance between a brick red and chestnut brown with a touch of shine. It also pairs beautifully with the brand's Double Wear24H Stay-in-Place Lip Liner in Chestnut.
Customer Review: "I'm not big on wearing lipstick as I'm more of a gloss person, BUT I'm so glad I purchased this. The color is very nice and goes on so smoothly and I love the sleek look of the lipstick. Fits perfectly in my purse."
Pros: lasts up to eight hours without need for touch-ups or reapplication
Cons: none
Specs: 0.02 oz retractable lipstick tube
Tiger is the orange-hued red shade that made me fall in love with wearing red lips. The Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick has a sheer, satin finish that offers a flush of natural-looking colors to the lips. It's everything I could have every dreamed of in a versatile lip product.
Customer Review: "This is such a gorgeous color—especially on dark skin tones. This is literally a perfect lipstick especially for a makeup no makeup or clean girl look."
Pros: has a lightweight formula that's comfortable to wear
Cons: needs to be reapplied throughout the day
Specs: 0.10 oz retractable lipstick tube
Geller describes this long-wearing liquid lipstick in the shade Uncensored as "a universally flattering red [with a] bold, blue undertone." Its ultra-creamy formula delivers matte, high-impact color with a stroke of the lip-defining precision wand, allowing for even application.
Customer Review: "This is my go-to red shade, the formula is liquid-y, thin, and dries down to a matte finish. And it stays vivid bright the whole day, I hardly ever need to reapply!"
Pros: features a lip-defining precision wand for one-stroke application
Cons: formula is not smudge- or transfer-resistant
Specs: 0.13 lipstick tube and applicator brush
Sometimes hefty price tags deliver unreal results, and Tom Ford's new Lip Color Lipstick formula is a testament to that. It's another line of lip products filled with shades that play up melanated skin, but the shade Scarlet Rouge is the perfect warm red for all undertones.
Customer Review: "This lipstick is so beautiful! The color is so deep and rich. The packaging feels really sturdy and luxurious. It also smells like chocolate which I love."
Pros: formulated with moisturizing and conditioning ingredients
Cons: offered at a luxury price point
Specs: 0.12 oz retractable lipstick tube
Geller considers SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer the best affordable red shade. It adds a chic touch to any makeup look using a long-wearing formula that delivers a high-pigment matte finish for up to 16 hours.
Customer Review: "No color transfer, not drying, not sticky, and long lasting. I have a bunch of colors from this line. They're some of my favorite low budget matte lippies!"
Pros: applicator brush features unique arrow tip for precise placement
Cons: formula feels tacky immediately after application
Specs: 0.17 oz lipstick tube and applicator brush
Prada Beauty's Monochrome Soft Matte Refillable Lipstick in Lacca is another true-red shade that complements all skin tones but looks especially pretty on those with dark skin. The lipstick delivers buildable coverage and a lightweight feel with a diffused matte finish. Plus, it comes in a refillable lipstick tube.
Customer Review: "This lipstick is so pretty and soft stays on for a long time, and matches my darker complexion perfectly! Would definitely recommend."
Pros: has pigmented color with a wear time of up to six hours
Cons: not ideal for those sensitive to fragrance
Specs: 0.13 retractable lipstick tube
Hourglass's line of innovative, primer-infused lipstick features the shade Red 0: a true red formulated with an exclusive vegan replacement for carmine. It also uses vegan waxes that mimic all the benefits of beeswax, mango seed butter, avocado oil, and argan oil.
Customer Review: "I love! This lipstick is so luxurious! Its hydrating and my lips look so nice with it on. I absolutely love the color it looks so beautiful on my skin tone. As a brown girl I would say its super flattering."
Pros: infused with a nourishing cocktail of ingredients to boost hydration
Cons: reapplication needed for all-day wear
Specs: 0.14 oz retractable lipstick tube
I first tried this lipstick while on the windy Washington coast, and it kept my lips so deeply moisturized that I've used it ever since. It offers creamy, full-coverage color (including my favorite berry-red shade, Santana) and is crafted with health-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and elderberry extract.
Customer Review: "I’m obsessed with how smooth and soft this matte lipstick makes my lips feel. The color is perfect, and I can't wait to wear it all the time!"
Pros: formulated with a medley of moisturizing and plumping ingredients
Cons: has only seven shades available
Specs: 0.14 oz retractable lipstick tube
If you're in the market for a purplish-red shade that looks stunning on the lips while delivering lightweight, glossy coverage, give the Chantecaille Lip Chic Lipstick in Dahlia a try. Crafted in Italy, this product has the hydration of a balm, the shine of a gloss, and longevity of a traditional lipstick.
Customer Review: "This is the best glossy red lip ever! It looks like a gloss but wears like a lipstick. My lips feel conditioned and hydrated while wearing and even once I take it off."
Pros: uses a creamy formula that is easy and comfortable to wear
Cons: offered at a high price point
Specs: 0.07 oz retractable lipstick tube
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